- 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 Science (Medical Biotechnology)
Medical 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).
The Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology) encompasses the exciting and rapidly evolving fields of monoclonal antibody technology, proteomics and genetic engineering. A new generation of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, hormones and anti-inflammatory agents are being developed using these technologies.
Subject to satisfactory performance and the approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students, students may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) at the end of the first year.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Identify and differentiate broad and coherent knowledge associated with the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology.
- Demonstrate skills in analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information.
- Exercise critical thinking and independent problem solving in experimental design and data analysis.
- Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to others.
- Consolidate and synthesise how specific knowledge and skills in cell and molecular biology are applied in the development of scientific works and completion of practical exercises.
- Appreciate the role relevance and ethical implications of science in society.
Course Structure
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL103 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| Please 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. All other students must select CHEM104. | |||
| CHEM101 | Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM104 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter | 6 | Autumn |
| Please select ONE of the following two subjects: | |||
| CHEM102 | Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM105 | Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures | 6 | Spring |
| Note: Students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wish to enrol in CHEM212 must also complete CHEM106. | |||
| CHEM106 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter# | 6 | Summer 2015/2016 |
| # Note that completion of CHEM106 does NOT count for credit with CHEM105. Completion of CHEM106 does NOT count towards the minimum 144 credit points for this course. | |||
| Plus other elective subjects to give a total credit point value of 48, at least 1 of which should be from the following options: | |||
| BIOL104 | Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI111 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 100 | Knowledge, Culture & Social Change: Science, Technology & Society* | 6 | Autumn |
| PHYS155 | Introduction to Biomedical Physics | 6 | Spring |
| MEDI112 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II | 6 | Spring |
| * STS 100 is compulsory for students taking an approved course of study which does not include STS 251 (in 2nd year). | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL214 | The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism | 6 | Spring |
| BIOL215 | Introductory Genetics | 6 | Spring |
| CHEM214 | Analytical and Environmental Chemistry | 6 | Spring |
| STAT252 | Statistics For the Natural Sciences | 6 | Spring |
| Plus THREE of the following subjects: | |||
| Note: Students are strongly recommended to select CHEM212 as one of the options. | |||
| BIOL240 | Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms | 6 | Autumn |
| MGMT208 | Introduction to Management for Professionals A | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM212 | Organic Chemistry II | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI211 | Control Mechanisms Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 251 | Social Aspects of Genetics and Biotechnology* | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL241 | Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| * Compulsory for students who have not taken STS 100 in 1st year. | |||
| Year 3 | |||
| Core | |||
| BIOL303 | Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL320 | Molecular Cell Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL321 | Infection and Immunity | 8 | Spring |
| CHEM320 | Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure | 8 | Spring |
| Options | |||
| Plus one Autumn Session subject chosen from the following: | |||
| BIOL332 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 8 | Autumn |
| BIOL392 | Advanced Biology | 8 | Autumn |
| CHEM350 | Principles of Pharmacology | 8 | Autumn |
| MEDI311 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience* | 8 | Autumn |
| PHIL380 | Bioethics | 8 | Autumn |
| *Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator | |||
| Plus one Spring Session subject chosen from the following: | |||
| BIOL392 | Advanced Biology | 8 | Spring |
| CHEM321 | Organic Synthesis and Reactivity | 8 | Spring |
| ECON317 | Economics of Health and Human Resources | 8 | Spring |
| STS 320 | New Biosciences & the Body:Contemp Issues in Soc Sciences & Medicine | 8 | Spring |
| HAS 331 | Social Determinants of Indigenous Health | 8 | Spring |
| MEDI313 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology | 8 | Spring |
| Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator. | |||
Honours
If the required academic standard is attained, with the approval of the degree coordinator, BSc (Medical Biotechnology) students may transfer into the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) degree no earlier than the end of 2nd year and subsequently undertake the 4th (Honours) year of this latter degree.
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
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
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au