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Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Chemistry)

Z0416BCH  043857F



Duration

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Fee*
3 Year/s Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) A$22,950 (annual for 2012) 
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Students who commenced prior to 2010, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Chemistry) course information.
 
Biochemistry is put into action wherever an understanding of the molecular basis of biology is important – from nutrition and agriculture through to medicine and psychology. This program combines biochemistry (the study of molecules of life, their structure and their role in the processes of animals, plants and micro-organisms) with chemistry (the composition of substances and their properties and reactions). This combination examines how biochemical knowledge can be applied to a range of industries and medical investigations, focusing on practical skills, such as the culturing of micro-organisms, through to the investigation of complex molecules such as enzymes and DNA.

The program especially emphasises the practical skills that are important to a range of medical, industrial, environmental and research applications. These skills include computing, teamwork, problem solving and communication, as well as the traditional skills of an analytical biochemist, microbiologist or chemist. Your projects will link you directly to industry and/or leading-edge research. Swinburne also offers an honours (fourth) year for this program.

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The course aims to develop:
  • mastery of the basic scientific principles that underpin chemistry and biochemistry
  • a sound practical knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices through which biochemical and chemical discoveries are made and through which industrial practise is carried out
  • an integration of the theoretic and practical knowledge of both biochemistry and chemistry such that students are work- and research-ready
  • advanced communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
  • an appreciation of the moral, ethical and social elements essential to a satisfying personal philosophy and a sound professional attitude
  • skills in self education, evaluation of new information and encouragement in flexibility of thought, to prepare students for a world of accelerating technological change.

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This course operates under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during a semester is therefore deemed to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will vary in different semesters, but will be less than 20 hours per week.

For the Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Chemistry) program students must complete 300 credit points, normally 24 units of 12.5 credit points each, comprising:
  • Biotechnology Professional Major, 16 units of 12.5 credit points each (200 credit points); and
  • Advanced Chemistry Co-Major (8 units) .
Additionally the following rules apply:
  • the non-credit unit, HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum, is compulsory;
  • two (2) Major Project units must be completed as part of the major studies sequence;
  • the same unit cannot be counted more than once. Where there are overlaps, the 300 credit points of study must be made up in the first instance by a Minor where 50 credit points is required, otherwise by freeelectives or Options Plus units;
  • students will normally not be permitted to successfully complete more than 26 units (325cps);
  • Professional Major Co-ordinators have the authority to approve alternative units if required for students to complete in a timely fashion. To be noted at Faculty Academic Committee.
Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of their course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills.

Final Year Experience - Major Projects
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.

Winter and Summer Term
This program also provides opportunities to undertake study in an optional six-week Winter and Summer term allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option.

Options Plus 
Students will have access to a small set of approved individual Options Plus units of study which provide either a distinctive learning experience or targeted study support. This could include optional study tours, an Intercultural Communications unit, and an ‘introduction to undergraduate research’ unit. In some cases, students may be advised or directed to take specially targeted Options Plus units, for example the Analysing and Writing English unit to be offered for credit in Winter Term for NESB students.

Students undertaking a full 300 cp program are allowed to substitute at least one Options Plus unit for one existing unit within their Co-Major– but not in their Professional Major. They will be advised by their Faculty on which unit(s) of the Co-Major.

In the case of students who enter with significant levels of advanced standing and whose program is therefore composed only of a Professional Major, the Faculty may approve a substitution, or else require the students to undertake the Options Plus unit in addition to their Major studies.

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Biotechnology Professional MajorHET102 Introductory Physiology
 
* HES 1510 may be replaced with HES1490 Introduction to Chemistry for students without Year 12 Chemistry
 

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Professional Majors
A Professional Major (200 credit points or 16 units of study) in Science is designed to provide students with appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge in a particular field of study and provide suitable preparation for professional graduate employment. It may be based on a single, recognised discipline, or it may be inter-disciplinary in character.
Study areas in the Biotechnology Professional Major include biochemistry, biological sciences, biology, biotechnology, environmental chemistry, DNA studies, genetics, measurements and instrumentation, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular modelling and advanced biotechnology research.

Co-Majors
A Co-Major (100 credit points or 8 units of study) is a sequence of study focused on a specific discipline and is normally self-contained, in that it includes any requisite foundation studies. Where a student has studied a Co-Major they are not normally eligible to apply to graduate with the associated tagged degree outcome.

Study areas in the Advanced Chemistry Co-Major include analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, chemical sustainability and advanced chemistry units.

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Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.

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Biochemists and chemists work in many areas, including medical research, environmental research, clinical biochemistry, biotechnology, industrial chemistry, microbiology, food production, agricultural biochemistry, beverage production, fermentation technology, pharmaceutical production, biomolecular research, protein engineering, wine science, waste treatment, biodegradation and bioremediation. Some graduates move into sales, marketing, business analysis and management associated with the biochemical and chemical industries.

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The Royal Australian Chemical Institute has accredited this course for the purposes of professional recognition. Graduates are also eligible for membership of:
  • Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
  • Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)
  • Australian Biotechnology Association (ABA)

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Apply for this course by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

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Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level certificate at the undergraduate level (EAP 5: UG-65% ); OR, Obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 550 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 213 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 80 with no band less than 20.

 

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

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 Maths (any)

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To assess eligibility for entry to Swinburne, visit the Academic Entry Requirements page.

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Phone: +613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

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Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia)

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A range of scholarships are available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.

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