Faculty of Science

Table of Contents

1. Career opportunities
2. Structure of the biotechnology 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 and 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 major offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of combinations of subjects. This major must be undertaken in conjunction with an approved life sciences major. The core subject 600-205 Biotechnology in Practice must be taken as part of the biotechnology 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 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, botany, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, physiology or zoology. Students must also take 600-205 Biotechnology in Practice.

2.3. 300-level

Students will have taken 600-205 Biotechnology in Practice and will be completing an approved life sciences major. In addition, students must take at least 37.5 points of elective 300-level biotechnology subjects from the lists below. At least 25 points of these 37.5 points must be from a department different to that responsible for teaching the student's other major. Practical subjects totaling 25 points must be included, either within the life sciences major or the biotechnology 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 Frontiers of Cell Biology12.5
 610-332 Bio-organic Chemistry12.5
 610-333 Molecular Technology12.5
 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 Microbial Cells and Genomes12.5
 526-302 Microbial Biotechnology12.5
 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: Immunology12.5
 526-327 Projects: Microbiology12.5
 534-306 Drug Discovery12.5
 516-302 Developmental Biology12.5
 654-304 Reproduction12.5

Core biotechnology subject

600-205 Biotechnology in Practice



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