Faculty of Science
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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

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 95 (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.

Faculty of Science Mathematics Requirement

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 (1837)

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

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or greater in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Health Sciences subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology degree. Students with a WAM below 70% in 300-level 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.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced (1841)

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.

Progression Requirements

To maintain a place in an Advanced degree, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75%. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Associate Dean 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 or Bachelor of Science degree.

For further information refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Science Advanced (741A) and consult the Degree Coordinator.

SCIE000 Science Risk Management

All students are required to complete SCIE000 Science Risk Management in their first session of candidature. SCIE000 is a 0 cp eLearning subject providing an introduction to occupational health and safety for all students studying science subjects. Completing the eLearning modules should take approximately 1 hour.

Course Program

Subjects

Session

Credit Points

First Year

SCIE000

Science Risk Management

Autumn

0

BIOL105

Functional Biology of Animals and Plants

Autumn

6

CHEM101

Chemistry 1A:Introductory Physical and General Chemistry

Autumn

6

MATH151

General Mathematics 1A (if required)

Autumn

6

BIOL103

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

Spring

6

CHEM102

Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life

Spring

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

SHS 111

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I

Autumn

6

STS 100

Social Aspects of Science and Technology #

Autumn

6

PHYS155

Introduction to Biomedical Physics

Spring

6

SHS 112

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II

Spring

6

# STS 100 is compulsory for those students taking an approved course of study which does not include STS 251 (in 2nd year).

Second Year

BIOL213

Principles of Biochemistry

Autumn

6

CHEM212

Organic Chemistry

Autumn

6

BIOL214

The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism

Spring

6

BIOL215

Introductory Genetics

Spring

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

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

* STS 251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS 100 in 1st year.

BIOL241

Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms

Spring

6

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

^Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator

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 degrees of Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Honours and Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced Honours are awarded for performance in third and fourth year subjects, based on a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) formula in accordance with Method 3 in the General Course Rules Section 8.

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