ObjectivesThe Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time), including the compulsory honours program except where it is being taken as part of an Advanced Entry Program. The course is offered jointly by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Health Sciences. The combined degrees program of Bachelor of Biotechnology/Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice is also available. COURSE AIMS evaluation, problem recognition and problem solving in science. There is an emphasis on integrating theory with extensive and specialised practical training. Graduates will have: * specialist skills in the science of biotechnology; * a range of generic skills including teamwork and oral and written presentation; * an overview of the interrelationships between the fundamental discoveries in modern biology and medicine, their application to developing new products and processes, and the practicalities of solving the accompanying engineering, social and management problems; * opportunities for employment in any area of biotechnology including agricultural, medical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage and industrial research and production, environmental services and a wide range of public and private research laboratories; * an awareness of the legal, social, economic and ethical aspects of biotechnology and engineering, management and entrepreneurial activities needed to bring products to the market; * experience in the requirements for commercialisation of biotechnology including development of science-based business plans. Learning outcomes On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in their science discipline and a range of transferable professional skills. Subject knowledge Graduates of the course are expected to be able to: * demonstrate specialist skills in the science of biotechnology, including proficiency in carrying out biotechnology laboratory and computational techniques and protocols; * demonstrate a thorough understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of biotechnology and utilise relevant discipline expertise, where appropriate; * find employment in any area of biotechnology including agricultural, medical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage and industrial research and production, environmental services and a wide range of public and private research laboratories; * apply their awareness of the legal, social, economic and ethical aspects of biotechnology and engineering, management and entrepreneurial activities needed to bring products to the market; * demonstrate familiarity with the requirements for commercialisation of biotechnology; and * develop science-based business plans. Transferable professional skills Graduates of the course are expected to be able to: * employ scientific methodologies such as experimental design, and the critical analysis of data; * communicate and present information clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms; * interact effectively as part of a team in order to work towards a common outcome; * work and learn independently; * reason critically and logically and make independent judgements; * engage effectively with information and communication technologies; * demonstrate research skills appropriate for further study and employment; and * appreciate the need for continuing professional development.
Entry requirementsPrerequisites: None Advanced entry: Achieved grades of 19 or 20 in SACE Stage 2 Biology and Chemistry or equivalent, or have received grades of 6 or 7 in Biology and Chemistry for the International Baccalaureate (IB). You can qualify for undergraduate courses through: * year 12 qualifications * mature age entry (STAT) * TAFE/VET qualifications * higher education transfers. Flinders also offers a range of special access schemes. Refer to undergraduate study applications.
Academic titleBachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)
Course descriptionCourse overview
The Flinders Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) was one of the first biotechnology courses in Australia and is still one of the very best.
It combines science with an understanding of the legal, social and ethical issues of Biotechnology and has a strong focus on the business skills that are crucial to the commercialisation of biotechnology, including intellectual property, enterprise management and marketing.
You can undertake industry work placements in 2nd and 3rd years, providing you with first hand experience of potential career opportunities and the requirements of industry employers.
The course prepares students for work in a range of fields.
High achieving applicants can undertake an advanced entry program in which the degree can be completed in 3 years.
What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is essentially the use of living organisms - often minute micro-organisms - to create products or perform tasks for us. Those organisms may be as simple as yeast or as complex as cells, genes, bacteria or DNA.
Biotechnology is changing the world around us and is considered the growth technology of the 21st Century, with job opportunities to match. It is an exciting field of science, combining aspects of medicine and biology.
Why study Biotechnology (Hons) at Flinders?
* High achieving applicants can undertake an advanced entry program in which the degree can be completed in 3 years.
* We were one of the pioneers of Biotechnology teaching in Australia, first offering this course in 1991. Since then we have expanded our program to incorporate postgraduate options, including Masters degrees by coursework or research.
* In all of our teaching there is a commercial focus, including enterprise management and the socio-economic impact of biotechnology.
* We have strong links with industry nationally and internationally through joint projects and our research has led to the creation of a number of spin-off companies in recent years.
* The presence of the University-owned company Flinders Bioremediation on campus gives students direct access to an example of the interrelationship between business and science and the way laboratory-based science can be applied to environmental issues.
Combined degree options
Combine with Duration
Bachelor of Innovation and Enterprise (Science and Technology) 5 years
Refer to Biotechnology combined degrees for further information.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours), a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
No more than 45 units of First Year topics may be included.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Failure to achieve a grade of P, NGP or better in the same topic on two occasions shall constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
First Year
36 units comprising:
BIOL1102
Molecular Basis of Life
4.5
BIOL1101
Evolution of Biological Diversity
4.5
BTEC1610
Introduction to Biotechnology
4.5
BTEC1621
Professional Skills for Biotechnology
4.5
and either
CHEM1101
Chemistry 1A, and
4.5
CHEM1102
Chemistry 1B
4.5
or
CHEM1201
Introduction to Chemistry A
4.5
CHEM1202
Introduction to Chemistry B
4.5
and
CHEM1102
Chemistry 1B
4.5
Elective Topics
4.5/9
Students completing CHEM1201 and CHEM1202 are required to complete CHEM1102. This can be done concurrently with CHEM1202. Students undertaking this option will have only 4.5 units of elective topic to complete.
Second Year
36 units comprising:
BIOL2141
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
6
BIOL2162
Functional Biology and Experimental Design
6
BIOL2330
Basic Microbiology
3
BTEC2620
Legal, Ethical and Social Aspects of Biotechnology
3
BTEC2630A
Genetic and Cell Biotechnology
6
BTEC2640
Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
6
Elective Topics
6
BTEC2650
Biotechnology Practicum#
3
STAT2304
Statistics for Biology #
3
# Recommended elective topic.
Third Year
36 units comprising:
BIOL3131
DNA to Genomics
6
BIOL3132
Protein to Proteome
6
BTEC3620
Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
6
BTEC3630
Molecular and Medical Biotechnology
6
Elective Topics
12
STAT2304
Statistics for Biology #
3
# Recommended elective topic.
Fourth Year
36 units comprising:
BTEC4620
Advanced Biotechnology Practice §
27
BTEC4630
Enterprise Management
9
§ Students should enrol in a combination of sub-topics chosen from BTEC4620E (13.5/27 units), BTEC4620F (18/27 units) and BTEC4620G (9/27 units), ensuring that they enrol in 27 units overall.
ADVANCED ENTRY PROGRAM
The Advanced Entry Program is a 'fast track' program in the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) designed for Year 12 students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in Biology and Chemistry.
It recognises that such students would benefit from an accelerated program of study which would enable them to complete the program in three years instead of the normal four years.
To be eligible for consideration for entry to the program, students must normally have completed the SACE (or equivalent) and have received grades of 19 or 20 in Biology and Chemistry at Stage 2, or have received grades of 6 or 7 in Biology and Chemistry for the International Baccalaureate (IB).
To qualify for the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) under the Advanced Entry Program a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Special Combined First and Second Year
BIOL2141
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
6
BIOL2162
Functional Biology and Experimental Design
6
BIOL2330
Basic Microbiology
3
BTEC1620A
Concepts in Biotechnology Part A
3
BTEC1620B
Concepts in Biotechnology Part B
3
BTEC2620
Legal, Ethical and Social Aspects of Biotechnology
3
BTEC2630A
Genetic and Cell Biotechnology
6
BTEC2640
Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
6
Third Year
36 units comprising:
BIOL3131
DNA to Genomics
6
BIOL3132
Protein to Proteome
6
BTEC3620
Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology
6
BTEC3630
Molecular and Medical Biotechnology
6
Elective Topics
12
BTEC2650
Biotechnology Practicum#
3
STAT2304
Statistics for Biology #
3
# Recommended elective topic
Fourth Year
36 units comprising:
BTEC4620
Advanced Biotechnology Practice §
27
BTEC4630
Enterprise Management
9
§ Students should enrol in a combination of sub-topics chosen from BTEC4620E (13.5/27 units), BTEC4620F (18/27 units) and BTEC4620G (9/27 units), ensuring that they enrol in 27 units overall.