Faculty of Science

Table of Contents

1. Career opportunities
2. Structure of the biotechnology co-major
    2.1. 100-level
    2.2. 200-level
    2.3. 300-level
Subject Lists
    Core biotechnology subject


Biotechnology is the application of biological knowledge to useful ends. It includes the use of living things in industrial or commercial processes and accordingly draws upon many life sciences disciplines. Recent breakthroughs in biotechnology offer exciting prospects such as more effective pharmaceuticals (drugs), new disease treatments, higher yielding crops, improved foods, novel ways to fight pollution. As well as providing a strong background in life sciences, the biotechnology co-major teaches practical skills relevant to the Australian biotechnology industry including applications of biotechnology, regulatory, safety and ethical issues, and steps involved in taking a product from the research laboratory to the marketplace.

The biotechnology co-major offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of combinations of subjects. This co-major can be undertaken in conjunction with a life sciences major. The core subject 600-205 Biotechnology in Practice must be taken as part of the biotechnology co-major.

1. Career opportunities

Training in biotechnology provides skills for jobs in many fields including drug discovery and production, health work, food technology, forensic science, agriculture, and waste management.

2. Structure of the biotechnology co-major

2.1. 100-level

Life sciences package.

2.2. 200-level

Students must choose a life sciences major in anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, plant sciences or zoology. Students mustalso take 600-205 Biotechnology in Practice.

2.3. 300-level

Students will have taken 600-205 Biotechnology in Practice and will be completing a selected life sciences major. Additionally students must take at least 37.5 points of elective 300-level biotechnology subjects from the following lists. At least 25 points of these 37.5 points must be from a department different to that responsible for teaching the major. Practical subjects totalling 25 points must be included, either within the co-major or the major.

300-level biotechnology elective subjects
 521-301 Protein Structure, Design & Engineering12.5
 521-302 Functional Genomics12.5
 521-303 Molecular Aspects of Cell Biology12.5
 521-306 Plant Biochemistry & Biotechnology12.5
 521-307 Biomolecular Structure & Bioinformatics12.5
 606-309 Cell Biology III12.5
 610-332 Bio-organic Chemistry12.5
 610-333 Molecular Technology and Processes12.5
 652-301 Genomes and Evolution12.5
 652-302 Molecular Genetics12.5
 652-303 Developmental and Cellular Genetics12.5
 652-305 Human Genetics12.5
 526-301 Biotechnology 1:Microbial Genes & Cells12.5
 526-302 Biotechnology 2: Processes & Innovations12.5
 526-304 Principles of Immunology12.5
 531-303 Molecular/Genetic Basis of Disease-Lect12.5
 136-337 Biotechnology in Modern Society (Sci.3)12.5
 654-314 Lectures in Reproduction12.5
300-level biotechnology elective practical subjects
 521-321 Gene Technology & Protein Expression12.5
 521-322 Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics12.5
 606-314 Experimental Techniques in Plant Science12.5
 610-399 Chemical Research Project12.5
 652-304 Genetic Analysis12.5
 652-306 Experimental Genetics12.5
 526-321 Molecular Microbiology Techniques12.5
 526-324 Immunological Techniques12.5
 526-326 Projects: Immunology / Biotechnology12.5
 526-327 Projects: Medical/Molecular Microbiology12.5
 534-306 Drug Discovery12.5
 516-302 Developmental Biology12.5
 654-304 Reproduction12.5

Core biotechnology subject

600-205 Biotechnology in Practice



Status:                   Official 2003
Last Modified:            Monday April 28 22:12
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Division - CWIS (SDI)
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Enquiries:                http://unimelb.custhelp.com/

Valid CSS! Valid XHTML 1.0!