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.

Digital + Material

Innovation + Engagement

Combine cutting-edge digital practices with internationally-renowned art and craft studio disciplines in the Bachelor of Design.

Design students will benefit from deep immersion in digital, manual and theoretical studies and a wide overview of creative practices. From coding, to making, to manufacture, students apply hands-on design to digital and physical materials. Students delve into web design, data visualisation, and interaction design, and experiment in studios to develop expertise in the latest digital form and fabrication processes.

This degree prepares students with transferable knowledge and skills required to make their mark on a rapidly changing world.

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

1. understand and evaluate the significance of biotechnological discoveries in educational and professional contexts;

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

1. demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials and technologies in their relevant discipline;

2. research, develop and evaluate design concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively;

3. apply skills and knowledge to the creation, visualisation and production of design projects;

4. work independently and collaboratively on design projects and respond to project demands;

5. interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences; and

6. recognise and reflect on social, cultural technological, environmental and ethical issues of creative practice and design considering local and international perspectives.

Further Information

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

Program advice:

Students should enrol in BIOL1003, BIOL1004, CHEM1101 and CHEM1201 in their first year of study.

Additional advice:

Students interested in incorporating an internship into their degree can find out more from the College of Science website.

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD (not available in FDD)

• This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year undergraduate single degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions, please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees
• Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.
• This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Progression hurdle:

• Students in the Bachelor of Biotechnology who have opted for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
• If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

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

Program advice:

Students should enrol in BIOL1003, BIOL1004, CHEM1101 and CHEM1201 in their first year of study.

Additional advice:

Students interested in incorporating an internship into their degree can find out more from the College of Science website.

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD (not available in FDD)

• This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year undergraduate single degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions, please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees
• Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.
• This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Progression hurdle:

• Students in the Bachelor of Biotechnology who have opted for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
• If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

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 guarantee entry into the program.

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.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements 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.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

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

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

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 (6 units)

BIOL1004 Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)

BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)

BIOL2162 Molecular Genetic Techniques (6 units)

BIOL3161 Genomics and its Applications (6 units)

BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

CHEM2211 Chemical Biology I (6 units)

6 units from completion of a Quantitative Skills course from the following list:

BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology (6 units)

BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL2142 General Microbiology (6 units)

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)

BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)

CHEM2208 Chemical Biology II (6 units)

6 units from completion of a 2000- or 3000-level courses from the subject areas:

BIOL Biology

CHEM Chemistry

MEDN Medicine

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

BIOL Biology

CHEM Chemistry

MEDN Medicine

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 Design flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 42 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production

DESN1003 Contemporary Design in Context

DESN1004 The Past as Prototype: History, Ethics and Concepts for Design in the Twenty-First Century

DESN2008 Design Thinking: Human-Centred Design Methodologies

DESN3010 Design Studio: Independent Practice

DESN3011 Design Studio: Engagement and Collaboration

A minimum of 6 units from the completion of foundation courses from the following list:

ARTV1020 Figure and Life

ARTV1021 Image and Object

ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation

DESA1021 Precise Drawing and Model Making

A minimum of 12 units from the completion of interdisciplinary concepts and theories courses from the following list:

ANTH1002 Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology

ANTH1003 Global Citizen: Culture, Development and Inequality

ANTH2005 Traditional Australian Indigenous Cultures, Societies and Environment

ANTH2009 Culture and Development

ANTH2017 Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today

ANTH2025 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective

ANTH2026 Medicine, Healing and the Body

ANTH2132 Food for Thought: Anthropological Theories of Food and Eating

ANTH2134 States and Citizens: Anthropological Perspectives

ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space

ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning

ARTH2043 After the Bauhaus: Design from the Interwar Period to the Age of Climate Crisis

ARTH2162 Art in the Digital Age

ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design

ARTH2080 Art and Visual Culture of the Long Eighteenth Century, 1660-1815

ARTH2098 Australian First Nations Art and Culture

ARTH2174 Art, Medicine, Gender from the Renaissance until Today

ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research

ENVS1004 Australia’s Environment

ENVS1008 Sustainable Development

GEND1001 Sex, Gender and Identity: An Introduction to Gender Studies

GEND1002 Reading Popular Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies

GEND2023 Gender, Sex and Sexuality: An Introduction to Feminist Theory

GEND2034 Going Public: Sex, Sexuality and Feminism

GEND2036 Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use

GEND2057 Relationships, Marriage and Family

HUMN1001 Digital Culture: Being Human in the Information Age

HUMN2001 Introduction to Digital Humanities and Public Culture - Tools, Theories and Methods

INDG1001 Indigenous Peoples, Populations and Communities

INDG1002 First Peoples' experiences and ways of being: resilience, agency, resurgence and rights

INDG2001 Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

PHIL1007 What is Humanity?

PHIL1008 Introduction to Ethics

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context

PSYC1005 The Wellbeing Formula: The Science and Practice of Making a Good Life

SOCY1002 Self and Society

SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology

SOCY1006 Society & Technological Change

A minimum of 24 units from completion of design courses from the following list:

DESN2001 Digital Form and Fabrication

DESN2002 Foundations of Creative Code

DESN2003 Creative Data Visualisation: Representing Data in Visual and Material Form

DESN2004 Dynamic Design and Generative Systems

DESN2006 Front-End Web: Crafting Online Experience

DESN2007 Design Fiction: Speculative and Critical Design

DESN2009 Typography in Context: Digital Typographic Design

DESN2010 Making Creative and Critical Technologies: Physical Computing for Art and Design

DESN2012 The Ethics of Making: Design for Reuse and Repair

A maximum of 18 units from completion of studio courses listed in the:

Visual Arts Practice Minor

Minors

Bachelor of Design Minors

Study Options