Faculty of Science
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.
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.
Life sciences package.
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.
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 practical subjects | ||
|---|---|---|
| 521-321 Gene Technology & Protein Expression | 12.5 | |
| 521-322 Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics | 12.5 | |
| 606-314 Experimental Techniques in Plant Science | 12.5 | |
| 610-399 Chemical Research Project | 12.5 | |
| 652-304 Genetic Analysis | 12.5 | |
| 652-306 Experimental Genetics | 12.5 | |
| 526-321 Molecular Microbiology Techniques | 12.5 | |
| 526-324 Immunological Techniques | 12.5 | |
| 526-326 Projects: Immunology | 12.5 | |
| 526-327 Projects: Microbiology | 12.5 | |
| 534-306 Drug Discovery | 12.5 | |
| 516-302 Developmental Biology | 12.5 | |
| 654-304 Reproduction | 12.5 | |
600-205 Biotechnology in Practice
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