- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
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Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology
Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced
Testamur Title of Degree: |
Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology, |
Abbreviation: |
BMedBiotech, |
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