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.

What does it take to start a successful new business, to lead an organisation, to plan and manage a complex project? How do leaders negotiate, resolve conflict, and manage across cultures in the global workplace?

The BBA will answer these questions and, more importantly, help you develop skills to go out and do these things in the real world.

The BBA is flexible so you can build on your strengths. For example, you have a wide choice about how much mathematical content to include in your degree.

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.

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

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. demonstrate the application of biotechnology to real life contexts;
6. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

1. review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge, from both Indigenous Australian peoples' and non-indigenous peoples' perspectives, as well as locally and globally
2. demonstrate a broad understanding of management and leadership knowledge with depth in some areas
3. present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of management knowledge and ideas
4. exercise expertise in critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
5. demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship
6. adapt knowledge and skills in diverse business contexts
7. demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters
8. employ discipline-based knowledge in transdisciplinary problem-solving

Further Information

Student Advice

What courses should you take in your first year of study?

• BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)
• BIOL1004 Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)
• CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)
• CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

Additional advice:

• For students taking BIOL3023, BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this major, the research project must be in the field of biotechnology.
• Students seeking to take BIOL3194 should note this course has an enrolment limit. Please refer to the "Other Information" in the course entry in P&C.

How can I satisfy the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving course requirements?

• Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses can be found using the Programs and Courses search engine.
• In this program, BIOL3188 is identified as a Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving course
• Many majors offered by the College of Science (not required for the Bachelor of Biotechnology) may identify in the "Advice for students" section which courses listed in the major will contribute towards this requirement. This might also be of assistance in identifying courses.

Internship opportunities

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

How can I get a study plan to help me map out my degree?

Want to learn more about the structure of the Bachelor of Biotechnology or wish to map out your degree? Click here to access the study plan.

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 students.cos@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.

Academic or enrolment advice:

If in doubt, please seek further advice from the academic contact for this program (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au).

Student Advice

What courses should you take in your first year of study?

• BIOL1003 Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)
• BIOL1004 Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)
• CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)
• CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

Additional advice:

• For students taking BIOL3023, BIOL3208 or BIOL3209 as part of this major, the research project must be in the field of biotechnology.
• Students seeking to take BIOL3194 should note this course has an enrolment limit. Please refer to the "Other Information" in the course entry in P&C.

How can I satisfy the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving course requirements?

• Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses can be found using the Programs and Courses search engine.
• In this program, BIOL3188 is identified as a Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving course
• Many majors offered by the College of Science (not required for the Bachelor of Biotechnology) may identify in the "Advice for students" section which courses listed in the major will contribute towards this requirement. This might also be of assistance in identifying courses.

Internship opportunities

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

How can I get a study plan to help me map out my degree?

Want to learn more about the structure of the Bachelor of Biotechnology or wish to map out your degree? Click here to access the study plan.

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 students.cos@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.

Academic or enrolment advice:

If in doubt, please seek further advice from the academic contact for this program (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au).

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

ACT: Chemistry

NSW: Chemistry or equivalent

VIC: Chemistry

QLD: Chemistry

TAS: Chemistry

SA / NT: Chemistry

WA: Chemistry

IB: Chemistry SL or HL

• More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here .
• Students who do not meet the chemistry requirement are advised to seek academic advice by contacting students.cos@anu.edu.au. A Chemistry bridging course is available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry - contact rsc.teaching@anu.edu.au for more information.

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:

• achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
• if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
• applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program

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

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the subject area BIOL- Biology

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving
 

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)

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

CHEM2211 Chemical Biology I (6 units)

CHEM2208 Chemical Biology II (6 units)

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

BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

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

BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

BIOL3194 Biological Science in the Work Place (6 units)

A minimum of 18 units from completion of courses from the following lists:

BIOL3106 Biosecurity (6 units)

BIOL3125 Plants and Global Climate Change (6 units)

BIOL3177 Advances in Molecular Plant Science (6 units)

BIOL3188 ANUSynBio Challenge Team Project (6 units)

BIOL3203 Advanced Microscopy in Biosciences (6 units)

A maximum of 12 units from completion of research project/topics courses from the following list, in which the project/topic must be in the field of Biotechnology:

BIOL3023 Special Topics in Biology (6 units)

BIOL3208 Biology Research Project (6 units)

BIOL3209 Biology Research Project (12 units)

A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses not previously taken from the following subject areas:

BIOL – Biology

CHEM – Chemistry

MEDN – Medical Science

NEUR – Neuroscience

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

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

The 96 units must include:

60 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BUSI2025 - International Business (6 units)

BUSN1001 - Business Reporting and Analysis (6 units)

ECON1101 - Microeconomics 1 (6 units)

ECON1102 - Macroeconomics 1 (6 units)

MGMT1003 - Management, People and Organisations (6 units)

MGMT2003 - Business Decision Making (6 units)

MGMT2030 - Human Resource Management and Strategy (6 units)

MGMT2100 - Communication for Business (6 units)

MGMT3021 - Leadership (6 units)

MKTG2004 - Introduction to Marketing (6 units)

12 units from completion of Transdisciplinary courses from the following list:

MGMT3015 - Corporate Strategy (6 units)

MGMT3027 - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (6 units)

Either:

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BUSI3024 - Export Business Planning (6 units)

CBEA2001 - Indigenous Perspectives in Business (6 units)

CBEA3001 - College of Business and Economics Special Industry Project (6 units)

CBEA3066 - Global Business Immersion (6 units)

CBEA3070 - ANU College of Business and Economics Internship Program (UG) (6 or 12 units)

12 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Or:

24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

If your flexible double degree is within the College of Business and Economics (for example Commerce and Economics), the below study plan may show the same course twice. If this is the case, you must only do the course once and replace the other course with a University Wide Elective.

For majors and minors offered by the ANU College of Business and Economics, students may count a course towards multiple majors and minors. If a minor is a subset of all stated courses and/or prerequisites for a major, then completion of the major overrides completion of the minor, and only the major is regarded as having been completed. If all courses in a major and/or minor are compulsory courses in the degree, the major and/or minor will not be listed on the transcript.

Study Options