- 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)
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
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
The Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table below.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL105 | Functional Biology of Animals and Plants | 6 | Autumn |
| MATH151 | General Mathematics 1A | 6 | Autumn |
| 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 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105. | |||
| CHEM101 | Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| CHEM104 | Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| BIOL103 | Molecules, Cells and Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| 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 |
| Plus other elective subjects to give a total of 48 credit points for Year 1 of which, 6 credit points should be from the following list: | |||
| 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 Year 2). | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| 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, 18 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| Note: Students are strongly recommended to select CHEM212 as one of the options. | |||
| BIOL240 | Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms | 6 | Autumn |
| MGNT208 | 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 Year 1. | |||
| Year 3 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL343 | Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| BIOL340 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| Plus two subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL362 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM358 | Pharmacology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| MEDI312 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience* | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| PHIL326 | Bioethics | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| *Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator | |||
| Spring | |||
| BIOL341 | Immunity and Infection | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM325 | Bioinformatics: Genome, Genes and Biomolecules | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| Plus two subjects from the following list: | |||
| CHEM360 | Organic Synthesis and Reactivity | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| ECON318 | Economics of Health and Human Resources | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| STS 304 | Body Politics & the new Biosciences: Contemporary Issues in Social Science & Medicine | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| HAS 331 | Social Determinants of Indigenous Health | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| MEDI323 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| 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