UTS course code: C10173
UAC code: 607002
Testamur title: Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation
Abbreviation: BBiotechIn
Course Directors: Associate Professor Graeme Sheather (Innovation Programs);
Dr Rachel Shepherd (Biotechnology)
Course fee: HECS (local)
Total credit points: 144

Footnotes:
1. The Innovation program may be subject to change. Contact the Faculty for the latest information.
2. This course is not offered to international students or non-current school leavers.

Overview
Course aims
Admission requirements
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course structure
Course program
Assessment
Honours
Other information

Overview

The Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation is one of four related technology innovation courses offered at UTS. The innovation program embodies a transdisciplinary team-based approach to course curriculum and delivery and offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in biotechnology and the know-how to apply this knowledge in the context of any organisation. Students study across the major areas of biotechnology and molecular biosciences, learning how to develop and commercialise new technologies and initiatives. The course combines the study of science with the key ideas of innovation, business, capital management and sustainability, and students learn the fundamentals of making ideas work.

Course aims

The overall course aim is to combine an in-depth study of biotechnology with the knowledge of how to develop and commercialise new technologies and initiatives in the biotechnology industries.

The entrepreneurial component of the program aims to equip students with an entrepreneurial attitude and appropriate business skills to transform new ideas, knowledge and technologies into new products and processes. This enables graduates to bring to industry a greatly improved capacity to manage risk and to create an environment conducive to innovation.

The science component of the program aims to provide a sound education in biotechnology for students who intend to make a career in the profession, as well as providing a pathway to Honours, postgraduate study and a research career. Graduates are committed to lifelong learning built on the foundations provided by their course of study.

The course provides a sound study of science and its applications together with related business skills that enable graduates to take a leading role in the entrepreneurial activities of an organisation. Graduates are also equipped to start up their own companies.

Admission requirements

This course is only offered to local students who are current school leavers. The number of students admitted each year is limited to a strict quota based on the availability of resources.

Selection into the course is based on the HSC UAI or equivalent. There are no prerequisites for entry, however, the assumed knowledge is Mathematics Extension 1, Chemistry and any two units of English. As students commence their studies in science at an intermediate level in this course, applicants that do not meet assumed knowledge requirements are strongly recommended to do a relevant bridging course. Students are required to apply for admission through the NSW University Admissions Centre (UAC). Applications are taken from September to December each year.

Advanced standing

Due to the special nature of this course, and the acceptance of only current school leaver applications, no advanced standing for previous study is possible.

Attendance

Full-time attendance during Spring and Autumn semesters involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University. This enables a full stage of the course to be completed in one semester.

Course duration

The Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation is three years, full time. The course consists of six academic semesters of full-time study, and a minimum period of eight weeks of industry experience. Suitably qualified students are able to apply to undertake and additional year of Honours study. This course is not offered in part-time mode.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation requires students to complete 144 credit points of subjects, divided into two streams: the Disciplinary Stream and the Entrepreneurial Stream. The Disciplinary Stream consists of 88 credit points of biotechnology subjects (see the table of Elective options for the Biotechnology course). The Entrepreneurial Stream consists of 56 credit points of subjects introducing basic concepts in entrepreneurship, innovation, information technology, business and sustainability. Also in the Entrepreneurial Stream, students undertake a 6-credit-point Capstone Project, which involves drawing on scientific, innovation, and venture capital expertise in the University and its partners. Subjects in the Entrepreneurial Stream are drawn from several faculties. See the list of Recommended Science strands.

Industrial experience

Students normally undertake a minimum of eight weeks of entrepreneurial experience in Summer session between the second and third years of study. Students are linked with industry partners who provide industrial experience in the biotechnology industry in an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. The goal is to provide a period of targeted industrial experience that is structured to link with the subjects studied at university and to reinforce students' learning in a workplace setting. Specific arrangements for entering the entrepreneurial experience are available from the Faculty of Science.

Course program

Full-time program

D = Disciplinary Stream subject
E = Entrepreneurial Stream subject

Footnotes:
1. The Course Director, Biotechnology may allow a student to enrol in 91101 Cells, Genetics and Evolution or 65012 Chemistry 1A in place of 91701 Medical Science 1; and 65022 Chemistry 2A or 91102 Animal Function and Diversity in place of 91702 Medical Science 2, depending on the student's prior knowledge.

Assessment

Depending on the subjects chosen, students can expect to undergo a variety of assessment types before completion of this course including formal and informal examinations, assignments and essays, practical reports and write-ups, and seminar presentations. Assessment tasks may be based on individual or group work. For further details on individual subjects, see the Subject Descriptions section, or contact the subject's coordinator.

Honours

The Honours program is designed to introduce students to research work in biotechnology. It allows selected students to continue on with postgraduate studies if desired and enhances their employment prospects. For further information consult the Course Director and refer to the section on Honours degree courses.

Other information

All academic inquiries should be made to:

Director, Innovation Programs
Associate Professor Graeme Sheather
Faculty of Business
telephone (02) 9514 5442
fax (02) 9514 5583
email Graeme.Sheather@uts.edu.au

Course Director, Biotechnology
Dr Rachel Shepherd
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
telephone (02) 9514 4109
fax: (02) 9514 4026
email Rachel.Shepherd@uts.edu.au