2018 Undergraduate Courses
  • 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) | 2018

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:

  1. Identify and differentiate broad and coherent knowledge associated with the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology.
  2. Demonstrate skills in analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information.
  3. Exercise critical thinking and independent problem solving in experimental design and data analysis.
  4. Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and coherently to others.
  5. 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.
  6. Appreciate the role relevance and ethical implications of science in society. 

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology), a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points in accordance with the table below. 

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
Autumn
BIOL105Functional Biology of Animals and Plants6Autumn
MATH151General Mathematics 1A6Autumn
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.
CHEM101Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry6Autumn
CHEM104Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter6Autumn
Spring
BIOL103Molecules, Cells and Organisms6Spring
Please select ONE of the following two subjects:
CHEM102Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life6Spring
CHEM105Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures6Spring
Note: Students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wish to enrol in CHEM212 must also complete CHEM106.
CHEM106Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter6Summer 2018/2019
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:
BIOL104Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment6Autumn
MEDI100Human Structure and Function6Autumn
PHYS155Introduction to Biomedical Physics6Spring
MEDI112Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II6Spring
STS 112The Scientific Revolution6Autumn
* STS 112 is compulsory for students taking an approved course of study which does not include SOC 251 (in Year 2).
Year 2
Autumn
BIOL213Principles of Biochemistry6Autumn
Spring
BIOL214The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism6Spring
BIOL215Introductory Genetics6Spring
CHEM214Analytical and Environmental Chemistry6Spring
STAT252Statistics For the Natural Sciences6Spring
Plus, 18 credit points of subjects from the following list:
Note: Students are strongly recommended to select CHEM212 as one of the options.
BIOL240Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms6Autumn
MGNT208Introduction to Management for Professionals A6Autumn
CHEM212Organic Chemistry II6Autumn
MEDI211Control Mechanisms Physiology6Autumn
SOC 251Genetics, Biotechnology and Society6Autumn
BIOL241Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms6Spring
** Compulsory for students who have not taken STS 112 in Year 1.
Year 3
Autumn
BIOL343Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research6Autumn
BIOL340Cell and Molecular Biology6Autumn
Plus two subjects from the following list:
BIOL362Ecophysiology6Autumn
CHEM358Pharmacology6Autumn
MEDI312Fundamentals of Neuroscience6Autumn
PHIL326Bioethics6Autumn
Spring
BIOL341Immunity and Infection6Spring
CHEM325Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules6Spring
Plus two subjects from the following list:
CHEM360Organic Synthesis III6Spring
ECON318Economics of Health and Human Resources6Spring
SOC 347Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine6Spring
HAS 350Social Determinants of Indigenous Health6Spring
MEDI323Cardiorespiratory Studies6Spring
Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.

Please click the subject codes in the above table for information on sessions of offer for each subject at different locations. For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.

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.

Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

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

For further information please email: smah-students@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 13 February, 2018