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.

With a myriad of majors and minors, craft a science degree that is uniquely yours with the ANU Bachelor of Science.

You’ll have the opportunity to experiment in our state-of-the-art laboratories while being mentored by leading scientists. You’ll have the flexibility to go on fieldtrips, take your studies overseas, or try an internship.

Whether your passion lies in marine science or mathematics, physics or psychology, you’ll be able to explore your interests and follow your passions with our most flexible science degree.

Find out more about our science study areas, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Science, graduates will be able to:

1. develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts;
2. use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues;
3. convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
4. work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives;
5. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Further Information

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.

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.

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are: 

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered 
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol 
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major). 

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.

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.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Biotechnology double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 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

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements. In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

The Bachelor of Science flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses from the Science course list

The 96 units must include:

48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Biochemistry
Biological Anthropology
Cell & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
Geography
Human Biology
Human Evolutionary Biology
Marine Science
Mathematical Economics
Mathematical Finance
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematics
Resource and Environmental Management
Physics
Psychology
Quantitative Biology
Quantitative Environmental Modelling
Science Communication
Statistics
Sustainability Studies
Water Science
 

Either:

24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:

Abnormal Psychology Minor
Advanced Chemistry Specialisation
Advanced Mathematics Specialisation
Advanced Physics Specialisation
Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation
Applied Statistics Minor
Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation
Biology Minor
Biochemistry Specialisation
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Biological Anthropology Minor
Biological Neuropsychology Minor
Biomedical Science Specialisation
Chemistry Minor
Climate Science and Policy Minor
Cognitive Psychology Minor
Computer Science Minor
Developmental Psychology Minor
Earth and Marine Science Minor
Earth Physics Specialisation Minor
Environmental Geology Specialisation
Environmental Policy Minor
Evolution and Ecology Specialisation
Forest Science and Policy Minor
Genetics Specialisation
Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation
Geography Minor
Geophysics and Geology Specialisation
Human Ecology Minor
Mathematical Physics Specialisation
Mathematics Minor
Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation
Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation
Optics Specialisation
Philosophy and Science Minor
Physics Minor
Plant Science Specialisation
Professional Science Engagement Specialisation
Psychology Specialisation
Science Communication Minor
Social Psychology Minor
Soil and Land Management Minor
Sustainable Development Minor
Water Science and Policy Minor

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list

Or:

48 units from completion of a second Science majors, listed above

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.

In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

Majors

Bachelor of Science Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Science Minors

Specialisations

Bachelor of Science Specialisations

Study Options

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].