C10172v7 Bachelor of Biotechnology
Award(s): Bachelor of Biotechnology (BBiotech)UAC code: 607045 (Autumn session, Spring session)
CRICOS code: 026806C
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 144
Course EFTSL: 3
Location: City campus
Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Pathway course
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The Bachelor of Biotechnology provides students with a broad knowledge of modern biotechnology and its applications. Algal biofuels, stem cell therapy and new methods of disease diagnosis are just a few projects that biotechnologists are working on today.
This course provides students with a good understanding of biological processes of living organisms and the skills required to manipulate these processes in the development of new medicines, environmental management, data analysis and biosensor technology. Students gain broad knowledge of modern biotechnology and practical skills in ethics, law and business processes.
Biotechnology is a key science of the future and graduates have high employment rates due to the course's strong professional and industry focus. Graduates of this course gain a professional qualification in biological science and a strong foundation in the commercial aspects of biotechnology.
Students choose one from the following four majors:
- medical biotechnology – students gain knowledge and skills to work in both the biotechnology industry and biomedical science research. It is an exciting and rapidly evolving area, leading to development of a new generation of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, hormones and anti-inflammatory agents using this technology.
- environmental biotechnology – students gain knowledge and skills to address environmental issues, such as the removal of pollution, renewable energy generation or biomass production, by exploiting biological processes. Students learn how to remediate contaminated sites, develop more sustainable products (such as converting algae to fuel) or use microbes to manage waste.
- computational biotechnology – bioinformatics or computational biotechnologists are in demand due to their combined expertise in biological sciences, statistics, mathematical modelling and database design. Students gain knowledge and skills in analysing and interpreting data, using mathematical modelling and technology, to translate data and help make informed decisions.
- biosensor technology – a biosensor is an analytical device that detects biological samples and then converts these responses into measureable data. An example of a biosensor application is the glucose meters, where a vast majority are developed based on electrochemical biosensor technology. In this major, students gain knowledge and skills in how to develop innovative products and technology to improve the quality of people's lives, such as user-friendly diagnostic tools for alcohol and drug testing, and water and food safety testing.
Career options
Career options vary according to the chosen major.
- Medical biotechnology: positions in laboratories or research labs developing new vaccines and medicines for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals, pathology and biomedical firms, universities, and research institutes.
- Environmental biotechnology: typical jobs include research associate, consultant, field scientist, microbiologist, conservation officer, environment officer, biotechnologist, and employment across a wide range of industries, creating new products or processes to conserve the environment.
- Computational biotechnology: roles include data analyst, data curator, database developer, statistician, mathematical modeller, bioinformatician, and software developer. Employment prospects are driven by pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries looking to take advantage of genomics data to usher in a new generation of pharmaceuticals. Other companies that have similar computational needs, such as Google, Facebook and Netflix, also hire computational biotechnologists to manage their own versions of big data.
- Biosensor technology: graduates can find employment in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and health-related industries as a product development engineer, bioengineering lead, regulatory scientist, solution specialist, biomedical algorithm engineer, biosensor engineer, and biophysicist. As this market is expanding, the technology behind biosensors is also reaching new heights and advancements are changing the way everyone from health professionals to wearable and mobile device manufacturers are thinking about biosensors and their capabilities.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.0 | An understanding of the nature, practice and application of the chosen science discipline. |
| 2.0 | Encompasses problem solving, critical thinking and analysis attributes and an understanding of the scientific method knowledge acquisition. |
| 3.0 | The ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills, in appropriate and ethical ways within a professional context, autonomously and collaboratively and across a range of disciplinary and professional areas, e.g. time management skills, personal organisation skills, teamwork skills, computing skills, laboratory skills, data handling, quantitative and graphical literacy skills. |
| 4.0 | The capacity to engage in reflection and learning beyond formal educational contexts that is based on the ability to make effective judgements about one's own work. The capacity to learn in and from new disciplines to enhance the application of scientific knowledge and skills in professional contexts. |
| 5.0 | An awareness of the role of science within a global culture and willingness to contribute actively to the shaping of community views on complex issues where the methods and findings of science are relevant. |
| 6.0 | An understanding of the different forms of communication - writing, reading, speaking, listening -, including visual and graphical, within science and beyond and the ability to apply these appropriately and effectively for different audiences. |
| 7.0 | An ability to think and work creatively, including the capacity for self-starting, and the ability to apply science skills to unfamiliar applications. It encompasses skills such as understanding risk management and risk taking, 'thinking outside the box', questioning the norm to suggest new solutions for old problems. |
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Pathway course
Successful completion of the Insearch:
- Diploma of Engineering with a WAM of at least 60 per cent without any failures guarantees entry into the course with 36 credit points recognition of prior learning
- Diploma of Science (Life Science) guarantees entry into the course with 48 credit points of recognition of prior learning.
Assumed knowledge
Mathematics; any two units of English; any two units of Science.
Chemistry, Mathematics Extension 1 is recommended.
Course duration and attendance
Students can complete the course over three years of full-time or six years of part-time study. Part-time students are required to attend some classes in daytime hours.
Course structure
Students must complete a total of 144 credit points, made up of 54 credit points of core subjects, a 66-credit-point major and 24 credit points of electives.
Industrial training/professional practice
Students studying this course have an opportunity to undertake an internship subject and receive academic credit for their placement off campus (an external business or research institute) or on campus (UTS research institutes or departments), in a capacity relevant to their academic studies.
Course completion requirements
| STM91191 Core subjects (Biotechnology) | 54cp | |
| CBK91236 Major choice (Biotechnology) | 66cp | |
| CBK90232 Electives (Science UG) | 24cp | |
| Total | 144cp |
Course diagram
Course program
Typical course programs are shown below.
| Medical Biotechnology major, Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| 68041 Physical Aspects of Nature | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91132 Molecular Biology 1 | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 91401 Immunology 1 | 6cp | |
| 91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 91359 Immunology 2 | 6cp | |
| 91314 General Microbiology | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 91707 Pharmacology 1 | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| 91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics | 6cp | |
| 91709 Pharmacology 2 | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91817 Medical Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocessing | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Medical Biotechnology major, Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 6cp | |
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 68041 Physical Aspects of Nature | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 91707 Pharmacology 1 | 6cp | |
| 91314 General Microbiology | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91401 Immunology 1 | 6cp | |
| 91132 Molecular Biology 1 | 6cp | |
| 91709 Pharmacology 2 | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 91359 Immunology 2 | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91817 Medical Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocessing | 6cp | |
| 91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics | 6cp | |
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Environmental Biotechnology major, Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| 91107 The Biosphere | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91132 Molecular Biology 1 | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 91123 Biocomplexity | 6cp | |
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 48840 Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering | 6cp | |
| 91314 General Microbiology | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 33116 Statistical Design and Analysis | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91159 Environmental Remediation | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| 65621 Environmental Chemistry | 6cp | |
| 48821 Principles of Environmental Engineering | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91818 Environmental Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocessing | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Environmental Biotechnology major, Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91123 Biocomplexity | 6cp | |
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 33116 Statistical Design and Analysis | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 91107 The Biosphere | 6cp | |
| 91314 General Microbiology | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 65621 Environmental Chemistry | 6cp | |
| 91132 Molecular Biology 1 | 6cp | |
| 91159 Environmental Remediation | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91818 Environmental Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocessing | 6cp | |
| 48840 Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering | 6cp | |
| 48821 Principles of Environmental Engineering | 6cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Computational Biotechnology major, Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| 48023 Programming Fundamentals | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91132 Molecular Biology 1 | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 33130 Mathematical Modelling 1 | 6cp | |
| 48024 Applications Programming | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 31251 Data Structures and Algorithms | 6cp | |
| 91314 General Microbiology | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 31250 Introduction to Data Analytics | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 33230 Mathematical Modelling 2 | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| 31005 Advanced Data Analytics | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 42001 Bioinformatics | 6cp | |
| 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocessing | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Computational Biotechnology major, Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| 33130 Mathematical Modelling 1 | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 33230 Mathematical Modelling 2 | 6cp | |
| 31250 Introduction to Data Analytics | 6cp | |
| 91314 General Microbiology | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 48023 Programming Fundamentals | 6cp | |
| 91132 Molecular Biology 1 | 6cp | |
| 31005 Advanced Data Analytics | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 31251 Data Structures and Algorithms | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 42001 Bioinformatics | 6cp | |
| 91368 Bioreactors and Bioprocessing | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 48024 Applications Programming | 6cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Biosensor Technology major, Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| 33130 Mathematical Modelling 1 | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 65212 Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 6cp | |
| 68037 Physical Modelling | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| 91403 Medical Imaging | 6cp | |
| 67509 Molecular Nanotechnology | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91140 Bionanotechnology | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| 91401 Immunology 1 | 6cp | |
| 91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91820 Biosensors | 6cp | |
| 68513 Nanophotonics | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| Biosensor Technology major, Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 60001 Principles of Scientific Practice | 6cp | |
| 65111 Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
| 91161 Cell Biology and Genetics | 6cp | |
| 91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 6cp | |
| Summer session | ||
| 65212 Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 33130 Mathematical Modelling 1 | 6cp | |
| 26100 Integrating Business Perspectives | 6cp | |
| 91142 Biotechnology | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91401 Immunology 1 | 6cp | |
| 68037 Physical Modelling | 6cp | |
| 91140 Bionanotechnology | 6cp | |
| 79006 Intellectual Property Commercialisation | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 21510 Introduction to Strategy | 6cp | |
| 91403 Medical Imaging | 6cp | |
| 21643 Innovation Lab | 6cp | |
| 67509 Molecular Nanotechnology | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 91820 Biosensors | 6cp | |
| 68513 Nanophotonics | 6cp | |
| 91369 Biobusiness | 6cp | |
| 91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics | 6cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
Honours
The Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) (C09022) is available to eligible students with an additional one year of full-time study.
Professional recognition
The faculty is awaiting recognition from AusBiotech for this course.
Other information
Further information is available from:
UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS
