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Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) 

ESB057     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Undergraduate Three years full-time plus an optional and additional year of Industry-Based Learning (IBL). Hawthorn (February, July)

Discontinued: This course has no new intake. This information is provided for continuing students

Students who are planning to commence in 2010, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) course information.
 
The study of biotechnology provides the understanding and practical skills behind the use of biologically derived material for a multitude of applications.  Such material includes microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, etc) and materials derived from them and other biological sources (enzymes, protein, DNA, etc).  Applications include medicine, health, agriculture, consumer products, wine, food, pharmaceutics, the environment and biologically derived new materials.

This course equips graduates for careers in biotechnology.  It emphasises the fundamental sciences which underpin biotechnology; chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, statistics whilst developing applications of biotechnology to areas such as business, ethics, and environmental science.  The course provides flexible options that allow students within the course to major in biotechnology (biochemistry) with a major sequence in one of chemistry, environmental science, computer science, business, or media and communications.

Projects which link students directly to industry and/or leading-edge research are a feature of this course, giving it a practical hands-on approach.

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The aim of the course is to prepare students for scientific careers in biotechnology. 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.

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The program involves four equally-weighted units of study per semester over three years, plus one optional year of full-time, paid, Industry-Based Learning (normally undertaken after the fourth semester). This optional Industry-Based Learning program is not available to international students. Practical laboratory work is undertaken throughout the course. A research project is undertaken in final year.

 
The normal study mode is full-time with the courses being completed in the periods indicated. 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 Semester studies.
 
Students may apply to transfer from the single degree to one of the double degrees at any time during their course subject to satisfactory performance. Transfer after the first year may involve additional studies, and therefore a longer time period, to complete the requirements of the double degree.

Core units of study in the BSc (Biotechnology) degree are:
HES1626 Professional Skills for Biotechnologists 
HES1510 Chemistry 1 and/or HES1490 Introduction to Chemistry
HMS101 Foundation Mathematics
HES1616 Concepts of Biotechnology
HES1525 Chemistry 2
HES2621 Introduction to Biochemistry
HES2631 The Microbial World
HES2626 Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
HES2636 Microbes in the Environment
HES4621 Advanced Biochemistry
HES4641 Practical Biochemistry
HES4626 Biotechnology
HES4646 Biotechnology Research Project
 
Students may choose a specialisation to complement the above biotechnology units of study, and this specialisation should involve a set of units of study agreed upon by the course convenor (currently Assoc Prof Ian Harding). Students should choose this specialisation at the beginning of their second year. Two pre-approved specialisations currently exist – a chemical sciences based stream and an environmental based stream. Students choosing either of these streams do not require approval for their course of study. The default stream is the chemical sciences stream.
 
Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit 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 your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence their course from 2007 onwards. 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 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.
 
Electives Plus Sequences
Electives plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline.
 
Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus sequences of up to three units from one of the following themes:
Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.

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Elective 7
 
* May be replaced by HES1490 Introduction to Chemistry for students without Year 12 chemistry. 
** May be replaced by HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 if student intends to continue studying mathematics at a higher level. 
 
IBL, if undertaken, is usually taken between Stages 2 and 3 and consists of:
HSW050 Industry-Based Learning and/or
HSW055 Industry-Based Learning
This optional Industry-Based Learning program is not available to international students.
 
Electives 1 to 4
Choose one of the following:
HES2540 Forensic and Analytical Science, or
HES2541 Analytical Chemistry
and one of the following:
and two of the following:
HES4701 Research Skills Project
Electives Plus Sequence 1 (see above)
Electives Plus Sequence 2 (see above)
 
Note: credit cannot be obtained for both HES2541 and HES2510. Nor can credit be gained for both HES2526 and HES2515.
 
Electives 5 to 7
Choose two units of study from:
HES4510 Investigative Chemistry Prac 3
HES4516 Research Project
The third elective is a free elective. Recommended electives include any previously non-selected elective and:
 
Note: In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree.    
 
 
Elective 1
Elective 2

Stage 3
Semester 1
 
* May be replaced by HES1490 Introduction to Chemistry for students without Year 12 chemistry.
** May be replaced by an elective for students with Year 12 biology.
*** May be replaced by HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 if student intends to continue studying mathematics at a higher level.
**** May be replaced by HES1510 for students who attempt HES1490.  In this case, HES1525 must be completed at a later stage as a replacement for one of the electives. 
 
IBL, if undertaken, is usually taken between Stages 2 and 3 and consists of:
HSW050 Industry-Based Learning and/or
HSW055 Industry-Based Learning
This optional Industry-Based Learning program is not available to international students.
 
Electives 1 to 8
Choose one elective from Group A, one elective from Group B, one elective from Group C, one elective from Group A, B or C, and four free electives.
 
Group A Electives
HES4516 Research Project
 

Free Electives
Recommended free electives include any of the units of study from Group A , B, or C as well as:
HES4701 Research Skills Project
Electives Plus Sequence (see above)
 
Note: In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. 

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Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. IBL gives you practical experience to add to your academic studies and is aimed at increasing a your employability upon graduation. All IBL placements are subject to availability of places. It is not available to international students holding a student visa. For further information visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/ibl

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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 course equips graduates for careers in biotechnology related to the medical, health, food and beverage, wine, agricultural, chemical and environmental industries. It also provides Pathways into honours, masters and PhD degrees.

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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
This course is also expected to meet the accreditation requirements of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, especially if chemistry subjects are selected in the elective streams.

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Students are expected to develop a number of graduate attributes during this course, resulting in graduates who are:
  • Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas.
  • Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations.
  • Adaptable and manage change.
  • Aware of environments in which they will be contributing.
  • Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community.

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Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

2009 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 & 4 - a study score of at least 20 in English (any), and in Mathematics (any).

All Non-Year 12 students (NONY12) should refer to the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au  for further infomation.

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2008 Round 1 Clearly-In ENTER: 76.15 (CSP)

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Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide' at: http://pandoraplus.swin.edu.au/credit/

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An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at http://pandoraplus.swin.edu.au/credit/

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm

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Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate studentsCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.

HELP

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:

  • HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a 20% discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front.
  • FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $81,600 from 1 January 2008). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.
  • OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

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This course is also offered through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. Successful applicants are awarded HECS waiver scholarships and will be funded for the duration of their course. For further information visit the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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Tel: 1300 368 777
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
 

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