2020 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) | 2020

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar)

Abbreviation:

BMedBiotech(Hons)(Dean'sSchol)

UOW Course Code:

1780

CRICOS Code:

084843F

Total Credit Points:

192

Duration:

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health

Intake Session(s):

Autumn

Delivery Mode:

On-campus (Face-to-face)

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 757617

Overview

Through technologies such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (treating cancer, vaccines, therapy and diagnosis of genetic diseases) and industry (bioremediation).

UOW's Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean’s Scholar) provides you with the tools and knowledge to work in both of these areas.

You will complete a major in cellular and molecular biology, including genetics, immunology and bioinformatics. You will also complete a major strand of chemistry and an optional strand in human anatomy and physiology. The nature of subjects like genetic engineering means you will also complete studies in ethics and management.

Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all the same requirements as Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) candidates, but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges.

All students are invited to participate in various enrichment activities throughout the program and, after the first year, to develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the faculty's research teams.

If you do not qualify for direct entry to the degree you can gain admission via the Bachelor of Science, subject to satisfactory performance in first year and approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students.

Entry Requirements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Describe and appraise broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology associated with medical science.
2 Consolidate and synthesise advanced knowledge associated with one or more discipline areas in medical, cell or molecular biology.
3 Critique and evaluate advances in the broader discipline of biological sciences.
4 Demonstrate skills in reviewing, analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems..
5 Exercise critical thinking and judgement in integrating new understanding into one or more disciplinary areas.
6 Communicate knowledge, ideas and independent research findings clearly and coherently through a range of mediums to a professional audience.
7 Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills associated with medical, cell or molecular biology that can be applied in a professional context.
8 Independently plan and execute a research project associated with medical, cell or molecular biology.
9 Appreciate the role, relevance and ethical implications of science in society and demonstrate understanding of the requirements of professional responsibility and ethical conduct.

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points, as outlined in the table below.

Please note:

  • Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.
  • Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
  • Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects.
  • Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
    Year 1
    Autumn
    BIOL105Functional Biology of Animals and Plants6Autumn
    MATH151General Mathematics 1A6Autumn, Spring
    Select ONE of the following two subjects:
    Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105.
    CHEM101Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry6Autumn
    CHEM104Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter6Autumn
    Spring
    BIOL103Molecules, Cells and Organisms6Spring
    Select ONE of the following two subjects:
    CHEM102Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life6Spring
    CHEM105Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures6Spring
    Note: Students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wish to enrol in CHEM212 must also complete CHEM106.
    CHEM106Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter6Summer 2020/2021
    Plus other elective subjects to give a total credit point value of 48 credit points for Year 1 of which,  6 credit points should be one of the following subjects:
    BIOL104Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment6Autumn
    MEDI100Human Structure and Function6Autumn
    PHYS155Introduction to Biomedical Physics6Spring
    MEDI112Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II6Spring
    STS 112Changing Perceptions of Nature6Autumn
    *STS 112 is compulsory for those students taking an approved course of study, which does not include SOC 251 (in Year 2).
    Year 2
    Autumn
    BIOL213Principles of Biochemistry6Autumn
    Spring
    BIOL214The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism6Spring
    BIOL215Introductory Genetics6Spring
    CHEM214Analytical and Environmental Chemistry6Spring
    STAT252Statistics For the Natural Sciences6Spring
    Plus, 18 credit points of subjects from the following list:
    BIOL292Special Biology Studies6Not available in 2020
    BIOL240Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms6Autumn
    CHEM212Organic Chemistry II6Autumn
    MGNT208Introduction to Management for Professionals A6Autumn
    MEDI211Control Mechanisms Physiology6Autumn
    SOC 251Genetics, Biotechnology and Society6Autumn
    BIOL241Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms6Spring
    **SOC 251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS 112 in Year 1.
    Year 3
    Autumn
    BIOL343Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research6Autumn
    BIOL340Cell and Molecular Biology6Autumn
    Plus, two subjects from the following list:
    BIOL362Ecophysiology6Autumn
    SCIP300Advanced Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Project6Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
    CHEM358Pharmacology6Autumn
    MEDI312Fundamentals of Neuroscience6Autumn
    PHIL326Bioethics6Autumn
    ***Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator.
    Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.
    Spring
    BIOL341Immunity and Infection6Spring
    CHEM325Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules6Spring
    Plus, two subjects from the following list:
    BIOL342Biomedical Research:Skills and Techniques6Not available in 2020
    SCIP300Advanced Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Project6Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
    CHEM360Organic Synthesis III6Spring
    MEDI323Cardiorespiratory Studies6Spring
    ECON318Economics of Health and Human Resources6Autumn
    SOC 347Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine6Spring
    HAS 350Social Determinants of Indigenous Health6Autumn
    Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.
    Year 4
    Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below.
    BIOL420Biotechnology Honours48Not available in 2020
    BIOL418Biotechnology Honours (Part-Time)24Not available in 2020

Progression Requirements

To maintain a place in the Dean’s Scholar program, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the 200 and 300 level subjects completed. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Faculty after the completion of 72 credit points. Students not meeting the minimum progression requirements will be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) or Bachelor of Science degree. Enrolment in BIOL292 (Special Biology Studies) requires students to have a WAM of at least 75% in the 100 and 200 level subjects completed.

 

Honours

The Honours grade for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean’s Scholar) will be calculated in accordance with Method 1 defined in the Coursework Rules.

 

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

Graduates qualify to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Biology, the Australian Society of Microbiology and the Australian Biotechnology Society.

Other Information

For further information please email: smah-students@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 4 November, 2020