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Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/ Bachelor of Commerce

ESBC057  066634J



Duration

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Fee*
4 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.

This course structure is for students commencing in 2010.

Students who commenced prior to 2010, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) / Bachelor of Business course information.
 
This double degree provides the development of the skill sets of a biotechnologist while broadening your skills into the area of commerce. This course is ideal if you want to study biotechnology with a view to using that knowledge in a business venture, or as a biotechnology company employee who requires business skills. Swinburne also offers an honours (fourth) year for this program for either discipline.

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The course is designed to develop:
  • mastery of the basic scientific principles that underpin biotechnology
  • a sound and practical knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices through which biotechnological discoveries are made
  • an appreciation of the social context in which scientific work is undertaken and in which scientific knowledge is applied
  • an appreciation of the legislation that regulates scientific activities, and particularly those that relate to biotechnology
  • 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
In addition, this course aims to develop:
  • an understanding of the local and global business environment
  • general business knowledge and skills, especially in the area of management
  • an advanced understanding of the roles of research and development in the development of business enterprises
  • an understanding of entrepreneurship and the management of entrepreneurship in business
  • an understanding of the processes of innovation
  • excellent skills for professional communication, especially within the business environment

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This course involves four equally weighted units of study per semester over four years, plus one optional year of full-time, paid Industry-Based Learning (normally undertaken after the fourth semester). Practical laboratory work is undertaken throughout the course. Two research project are undertaken in each discipline in the final year of that discipline. Please note that the optional Industry-Based Learning (IBL) program is not available to international students.
 
The normal study mode is full-time with the courses being completed in four years. However, subject to student demand and the availability of staff, the academic component of the course may be accelerated in calendar time by undertaking Summer or Winter Semester studies.
 
To qualify for the dual award of Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) and Bachelor of Commerce, students must complete at least 200 credit points of subjects from each discipline and those credit points must arise from subjects which are mandated in the respective majors. For Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), the major is the biotechnology and for Bachelor of Commerce, the major may be one of:
 
Accounting Major - 2010
Commercial Law Major - 2010
Finance Major - 2010
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major - 2010
Human Resource Management Major - 2010
International Business Major - 2010
Management Major - 2010
Marketing Major - 2010

Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum or HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculumto 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 your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt for the unit 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 from 2007 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.

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Biotechnology Major
* May be replaced by HES1490 Introduction to Chemistry for students without Year 12 chemistry.
 
Commerce Majors
To complete the Double Degree Commerce Program with Biotechnology, each student must complete:
  • 16 units of study (200 credit points) in Commerce as part of the Bachelor of Commerce or 18 units for Accounting Professional major.
  • 2 mandatory final year capstone units as part of your specialisation.
  • Mandatory unit of study HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum (zero credit points)
Details of the subjects in the various commerce majors are as follows:

Accounting
 
Professional Recognition:
  • Graduates may fulfil the requirements for recognition by the CPA Australia (CPAA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia (ICAA) and the National Institute of Accountants (NIA).
 
Finance
 
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
 
Human Resource Management
 
International Business
 
Management
 
Course Features

IBL, if undertaken, is generally taken between Stages 2 and 3 and consists of:
HSW050 Industry Based Learning and/or
HSW055 Industry Based Learning
This optional IBL program is not available to international students. 
 
Note: In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum or HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. 

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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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This double degree provides professional education in biotechnology and business that enables graduates to use scientific research and innovative skills to create new business enterprises or to contribute to existing businesses.

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Graduates may apply for membership of the following professional societies:
  • Australian Biotechnology Association
  • The Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Australian Society for Microbiology
The following professional recognition applies to studies in the Bachelor of Commerce, although in some cases additional units to the minimum required for a major may be needed.
  • Australian Computer Society (ACS)
  • Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
  • CPA Australia (CPAA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)
  • Australian Institute of Banking and Finance
  • Australian Marketing Institute (AMI)
  • Institute of Corporate Managers, Secretaries and Administrators

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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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Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/international/enquiry

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au

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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