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Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) 

Z0416BIO     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Full-time
Part-time (day) 		Undergraduate 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time. An optional and additional year of Industry Based Learning (IBL) may also be available. Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2)

Students who commenced prior to 2010, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) course information.
 
Biotechnology is the applied science of using living organisms and their by-products for commercial development. Everyday items such as milk, beer, antibiotics, biodegradable plastics and biofuels are all biotechnology commodities. Many biotechnologists work with recombinant DNA, cell fusion, bio-processing techniques and environmental management. In this program you will examine the fundamental sciences that underpin biotechnology – chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and statistics – while investigating the application of biotechnology to areas such as business, ethics and environmental science. You will have flexible options to take major studies in chemistry, environmental science or other areas. Swinburne also offers an honours (fourth) year for this program.

This course is also offered to Australian students 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 Scholarships website.

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The course aims 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 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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This course will operate 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, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will be approximately 16 hours per week during academic semesters.

Students in the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) program 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
  • one Co-Major (8 units) or two Minors (4 units each).

Additionally the following rules apply:

  • At enrolment students will be provided with recommended combinations of Faculty Majors, Co-Majors or Minors. Any other combinations a student proposes will be subject to approval by the Faculty;
  • 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 free electives or Options Plus units;
  • students will normally not be permitted to successfully complete more than 26 units (325cps);
  • students may only enroll in two Majors where both Majors have sufficient unit overlap to enable both to be completed within a total 300 credit-points of study; and
  • Professional Major Co-ordinators have the authority to approve alternative units if required for students to complete in a timely fashion.
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.

Electives Plus Minors
Electives Plus combinations provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by undertaking specially selected groups of units from outside their degree discipline.
 
For further information visit the Elective Plus website: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/hed/professionallearning/electivesplus.html. Electives Plus Minors 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.

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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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 analytical chemistry and biochemistry, biochemistry, biological sciences, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental chemistry, DNA studies, environmental science, environmental sustainability, forensic science, genetics, measurements and instrumentation, microbiology, molecular and cell biology and molecular modelling.

Students can choose from a range of co-majors or minors that add depth or breadth to their degree.

Co-Majors
Co-majors can be taken from any discipline across the university. Co-Majors available in the Bachelor of Science program include:
Physics Co-Major - 2012 (available from 2012)

Minors
A Minor (50 credit points or 4 units of study) is a prescribed set of units that may broaden a student’s learning, such as a set of units from different disciplines, typically derived as a subset of a Major or Co-Major. Minors usually contain no elective choice.

Minors can be taken from any discipline across the university, including Electives Plus Minors, timetabling permitting. Credit cannot be given for any minor which contains more than two units of study in common with any other minor, co-major or major that student is undertaking. Minors available in the Bachelor of Science program include:
Physics Minor - 2012 (available from 2012)
 
Students also have the option to select their co-major or minors from another Faculty, timetable permitting.

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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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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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Biotechnology is a rapidly developing, globally focused industry in Australia, with strong government support for innovation. As a biotechnology graduate you can pursue an exciting career in a range of fields including medical, environmental or biomolecular research, clinical biochemistry, food or beverage production, agricultural biochemistry, fermentation technology, wine science, pharmaceutical production, protein engineering, waste treatment, biodegradation, bioremediation, sales, marketing, business analysis and management in the biochemical/chemical industries.

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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.

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Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:

  • Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • Effective and ethical in work and community situations
  • Adaptable and manage change
  • Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (such as sociocultural, economic, natural)

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

2012 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: www.vtac.edu.au  for further infomation.

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73.05

2011 Round 1 Clearly-In ATAR (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 into 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.

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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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For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees

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For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

VTAC code: 34241 (CSP), 34243 (IFP)

For further information, visit the VTAC website.

Part-time study is also available to Australian citizens and holders of Australian residency.

Applicants who have not already applied through VTAC can apply direct to the university by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

This course is available for mid-year intake. Applications are made directly to Swinburne and will be taken on a case by case basis. Application forms can be downloaded from our How to Apply website.

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