single degree

Bachelor of Biotechnology

A single three year undergraduate award offered by the ANU College of Science

BBIO
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements
  • Field of Education
    • Food Science and Biotechnology
  • Academic contact
  • Length 3 year full-time
  • Minimum 144 Units
Admission requirements
  • Field of Education
    • Food Science and Biotechnology
  • Academic contact

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Biotechnology requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must consist of:

54 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics

BIOL1004 Molecular and Cell Biology

BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression

BIOL2162 Molecular Genetic Techniques

BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications

BIOL3191 Biology, Society and Ethics

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2

CHEM2211 Chemical Biology I

 

6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

 

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition

BIOL2142 General Microbiology

CHEM2208 Chemical Biology II

 

6 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the subject area BIOL Biology


18 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the following subject areas:

BIOL Biology

CHEM Chemistry

NEUR Neuroscience

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Honours

Students who attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree may be admitted to the Honours year to become candidates for the degree with honours. See the Honours Degree listed in the [Bachelor of Science].

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective majorminor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics 6 units CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology 6 units CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
Year 2 48 units BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression 6 units CHEM2211 Chemical Biology 1 6 units B.Biotech elective from list 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
BIOL2162 Molecular Gene Technology 6 units B.Biotech elective from list 6 units B.Biotech elective from list 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
Year 3 48 units BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications 6 units 3000 level BIOL course 6 units 3000 level BIOL/ CHEM/ NEUR course 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units
BIOL3191 Biology, Society and Ethics 6 units 3000 level BIOL/ CHEM/ NEUR course 6 units 3000 level BIOL/ CHEM/ NEUR course 6 units Science or non-Science elective 6 units

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.


In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

→ School leavers will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
• the co-curricular or service requirement, and
• any program specific requirements that are listed below.

→ Non school leavers:
a) will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
b) Non school leavers who:
• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or
• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or
• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,
will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

 

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

ATAR:
80
QLD Band:
10
International Baccalaureate:
29

Prerequisites

ACT: Chemistry (Major); NSW:  Chemistry or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Students who do not meet the chemistry requirement may be admitted into the program via a different pathway. Students who:

  • Commence the Bachelor of Science program after completion of the chemistry bridging course available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry (or equivalent) and complete CHEM1101 and BIOL1003, may then apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Biotechnology.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$46,080.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Place yourself at the forefront of innovation with the ANU Bachelor of Biotechnology.

Biotechnology is about applying new technologies to agriculture, food and medicine production, and environmental problems in the context of research, industry and the applied health sciences.

In this cutting-edge degree, you’ll learn the foundations of biology such as molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology and microbiology, as well as contemporary topics such as societal and ethical issues of biotechnology and intellectual property.

Find out more about biotechnology, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Employment Opportunities

Bachelor of Biotechnology graduates are sought after by government and industry employers in chemical, plant and agricultural, and medical biotechnology.

You may also find positions in hospitals, food and pharmaceutical industries, or continue on to a career in research.

See where a Bachelor of Biotechnology could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program Science graduates will be able to:

  • understand and evaluate the significance of biotechnological discoveries in educational and professional contexts
  • apply a range of technological skills and laboratory techniques to addressing specific problems in the field of biological research;
  • use a range of analytical techniques for the interpretation of biological data to address specific hypotheses;
  • convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
  • function in public and professional situations as an interpreter of biotechnological information in the public domain;
  • exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Further Information

LAWS3104 will not be offered in 2015 and students in the Bachelor of Biotechnology will be required to take another 3000 level BIOL - coded science course.

Want to learn more about the structure of the BSc or wish to map out your degree? 
Click here to see a short program presentation video and access the study plan.

Back to the Bachelor of Biotechnology page

Algal biofuels, drought resistant crops and bionic eyes may sound like things of the distant future, but these are just some of the projects our biotechnologists are working on today.

Biotechnology is a fast moving field where scientists use living organisms and their products, to solve real world problems facing modern society. This exciting field has broad applications in medicine, biology, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and engineering.

You will learn the foundations of biology, from genes through to ecology, while examining important questions about ethics and intellectual property.

An ANU Bachelor of Biotechnology gives you the knowledge to develop the fuel sources, foods and medical treatments of the future, while teaching you to think ethically about how they will change our society.

This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

The Bachelor of Biotechnology can also be taken as a part of many double degrees.

Single degree

    • This degree requires 144 units
    • A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
    • A minimum of 30 units 3000 level Science courses
    • Other courses from the Science course list or another ANU College (48 units maximum non-science courses allowed)

      Double degree

      • This degree requires 96 units Science courses
      • A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level Science courses
      • A minimum of 30 units 3000 level Science courses
      • Other courses from the Science course list

      About this degree

      Single degree

      In a Bachelor of Biotechnology single degree program you will study a total of 144 units.  Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across your whole degree.

      You will need to complete a minimum of 16 science courses (96 units) but will also get to choose eight courses (48 units) from other ANU Colleges.  You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-Science subject, such as history or marketing. The choice is yours.

       

      Double degree

      In a Bachelor of Biotechnology double degree program you will study a total of 96 units.  Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree.  However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Biotechnology degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.

      Enrolment Status

      It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.

      • You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
      • You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
      • You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Biotechnology half of the double degree.

      Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

      There are 4 compulsory 1000 level Science courses you must take in your first year:

      Electives

      Remember you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Biotechnology program.




      Study Options

      Bachelor of Biotechnology - single degree

      This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Biotechnology.

      Study Options

      Year 1 48 units CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 6 units BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics 6 units Science or non-science course 6 units Science or non-science course 6 units
      CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 6 units BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology 6 units Science or non-science course 6 units Science or non-science course 6 units

      Bachelor of Biotechnology - double degree

      This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Biotechnology with another three year degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts. Please note that for some double degrees (e.g. with Bachelor of Engineering) you may only be able to take one course in semester 1 for your science degree. In these circumstances it is recommended that in your first year you take CHEM1101, CHEM1201 and BIOL1004. You can then take BIOL1003 in your second year of study.

      Study Options

      Year 1 48 units CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 6 units BIOL1003 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics 6 units Degree B Course 6 units Degree B Course 6 units
      CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 6 units BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology 6 units Degree B Course 6 units Degree B Course 6 units

      Academic Advice

      For further information, you can:

      • Visit the Research School of Biology webpage here, or
      • Download the Science first year course guide available here, or
      • View our program presentation videos located on our New commencers & first year students page, or
      • Email us at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au, or
      • Come and talk to someone face-to-face. You can make an appointment with an academic advisor here or by calling Science Central on 6125 2809

      Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?

      Contact Science Enquiries at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au

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