Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology
Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced

Testamur Title of Degree:	Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology, Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced
Abbreviation:	BMedBiotech, BMedBiotechAdv
Home Faculty:	Science
Duration:	4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Total Credit Points:	192
Delivery Mode:	On campus (Face-to-face)
Starting Session(s):	Autumn
Location:	Wollongong
UOW Course Code:	1837, 1841
UAC Code:	757611, 757617
CRICOS Code:	068720F, 068721E

Overview

Biotechnology is the application of exciting advances in molecular and cell biology to medicine, agriculture, and the environment. Through modern technologies, such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (cancer, vaccines, therapy and diagnosis of genetic diseases), food production (transgenic plants) and industry (bioremediation). Biotechnology encompasses the rapidly evolving fields of monoclonal antibody technology, proteomics and genetic engineering. A new generation of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, hormones and anti-inflammatory agents is being developed using these technologies.

The degree is an interdisciplinary program featuring:

* A major in cellular and molecular biology, including genetics, immunology, bioinformatics;

* A major strand of chemistry;

* Skills in “state-of-the-art” nucleic acid, protein and monoclonal antibody technologies;

* An optional strand in human anatomy and physiology;

* Other relevant areas such as ethics and management;

* The flexibility in first year to explore other options;

* Specialised training in “cutting-edge” technologies in the fourth year;

* Your own research project (fourth year Honours).

This degree represents an excellent foundation for students considering post graduate studies in medicine or other health areas. Many of our past graduates have been successful in obtaining entry into these post graduate degrees.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (1837): Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 85 (or equivalent). The ATAR is reviewed each year.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced (1841): Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 90 (or equivalent). The ATAR is reviewed each year.

Assumed Knowledge: Four units of Science (including Biology or Chemistry) or four units comprising Science and Mathematics. Students who have not completed Biology and/or Chemistry at the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year. Students without at least HSC Mathematics Band 4 (or equivalent) are required to take a Mathematics subject (usually MATH151) in the first year.

Course Requirements

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology:

This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced:

Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all of the same requirements as Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology candidates but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges. For further information refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Science Advanced (741A) and consult the Degree Coordinator.

Progression Requirements:

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (an average of 65% or greater in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedical Science subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology degree. Students with an average below 65% in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedical Science subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology with the approval of the Medical Biotechnology Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology) degree.

Course Program

Subjects		Session	Credit Points
First Year
BIOL103	Molecules, Cells and Organisms	Spring	6
BIOL105	Functional Biology of Animals and Plants	Autumn	6
CHEM101	Chemistry 1A:Introductory Physical and General Chemistry	Autumn	6
CHEM102	Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life	Spring	6
MATH151	General Mathematics 1A (if required)	Autumn	6
Plus other elective subjects to give a total credit point value of 48, at least 6 credit points of which should be one of the following:
BIOL104	Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment	Autumn	6
PHYS155	Introduction to Biomedical Physics	Spring	6
SHS 111	Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I	Autumn	6
SHS 112	Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II	Spring	6
STS 100	Social Aspects of Science and Technology #	Autumn	6
# STS100 is compulsory for those students taking an approved course of study which does not include STS251 (in 2nd year).
Second Year
BIOL213	Principles of Biochemistry	Autumn	6
BIOL214	The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism	Spring	6
BIOL215	Introductory Genetics	Spring	6
CHEM212	Organic Chemistry	Autumn	6
CHEM214	Analytical and Environmental Chemistry	Spring	6
STAT252	Statistics for the Natural Sciences	Spring	6
Plus two of the following subjects:
BIOL240	Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms	Autumn	6
BIOL241	Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms	Spring	6
MGMT208	Introduction to Management for Professionals	Autumn	6
SHS 211	Control Mechanisms Physiology	Autumn	6
STS 251*	Social Aspects of Genetics and Biotechnology	Autumn	6
* STS251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS100 in 1st year.
Third Year
Core
BIOL303	Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology	Autumn	8
BIOL320	Molecular Cell Biology	Autumn	8
BIOL321	Infection and Immunity	Spring	8
CHEM320	Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure	Spring	8
Options
Plus one Autumn Session subject chosen from the following:
BIOL332	Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology	Autumn	8
BIOL392	Advanced Biology	Autumn, Spring or Summer	8
CHEM350	Principles of Pharmacology	Autumn	8
SHS 311	Fundamentals of Neuroscience	Autumn	8
Plus one Spring Session subject chosen from the following:
BIOL392	Advanced Biology	Autumn, Spring or Summer	8
CHEM321	Organic Synthesis and Reactivity	Spring	8
PHIL380	Bioethics	Spring	8
SHS 313	Cardiorespiratory Physiology	Spring	8
Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator
Fourth Year
BIOL421	Professional Skills in Biotechnology	Autumn	12
BIOL423	Biotechnology Project	Annual	36

Honours

The degree of Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Honours is awarded for performance in third and fourth year subjects, based on a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) formula.

Please Note: There are special requirements for progression to the fourth year. Refer to the section “Progression Requirements” above.

Professional Recognition

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

Contact Information

For more detailed course information contact the Professional Officer, Julie-Ann Green - School of Biological Sciences, telephone +61 2 4221 3100, email: jagreen@uow.edu.au

The Degree Coordinator is Dr Martina Sanderson-Smith - School of Biological Sciences, telephone + 61 2 4298 1935, email: martina_sanderson-smith@uow.edu.au