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.

Can you see yourself jet-setting the globe with a career in analytics, trade, foreign affairs, journalism, international business or research? You have found the right degree. ANU is a leader in the field of International Relations. The Bachelor of International Relations will give you world-class training in International Relations, providing the skills and background you need to understand the complex and exciting world of international affairs. Our program:

• provides an overview of the historical and intellectual background of international relations which focuses on the interaction of state and non-state actors globally across many dimensions – cultural, economic, environmental, and military to name a few;
• gives you an in-depth understanding of contemporary debates and challenges in international relations, as well as hands-on experience in policy analysis and data literacy which will prove highly useful in the workplace of tomorrow; and
• offers opportunities to study more specialised topics such as geopolitics and great power rivalry, international organisations, empire, terrorism, and human rights.

Bachelor of International Relations students can pursue many additional options, including language study, going on exchange or doing an international/national internship.

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. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the international system's historical development and contemporary status: its principal events, actors, ideas, institutions, and outcomes of interest;
2. apply the key international relations theories and concepts to historical and contemporary cases, across multiple issue-areas;
3. demonstrate knowledge of a specific region/historical era of relevance to international relations; apply international relations theories and concepts to that region/era; reflect critically on the theories' applicability and explanatory power;
4. apply analytical tools from political science and other social sciences to the evaluation of international phenomena across of a wide variety of issue-areas that are relevant to scholars and policymakers; and
5. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a wide variety of media.

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 (Major)

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

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 International Relations flexible 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 include:

18 units from completion of the following compulsory introductory and methods courses:

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations

POLS1009 Introduction to Data and Methods for Political Science and International Relations

A minimum of 18 and a maximum of 24 units from the completion of courses in the following list:

POLS2017 International Relations Theory

POLS2094 International Political Economy

POLS2132 War and International Relations

POLS2133 Global Cooperation and Institutions

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

POLS2044 Quantitative Methods in Politics and International Relations

POLS2045 Qualitative Methods in Politics and International Relations

POLS2137 Meaning in Politics: Interpretation, Method and Critique

A maximum of 6 units from the completion of the following International Relations and Social Science Breadth courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research

HIST2110 Approaches to History

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

STST1001 Introduction to Strategic Studies

SOCR1001 Foundations of Social Research

Or any other 2000-level POLS course with permission

24 units from the completion of the following 3000 level courses, of which:

A minimum of 12 units must come from the completion of courses on the following International Relations Depth list:

POLS3001 Foreign Policy

POLS3032 The Politics of Empire

POLS3035 Norms and International Law in World Politics

POLS3036 Terrorism

POLS3113 Human Rights 

POLS3136 Power and Influence in World Politics

A maximum of 12 units from the completion of courses on the following Social Science Depth list:

ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy

INTR3001 Humanitarianism: Principles, Politics, Practice

INTR3002 Global Institutions in the Asia-Pacific

STST3002 Australia’s Security in the Asian Century

STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World

Or any other POLS 3000-level course

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

ASIA2041 Mainland Southeast Asia: Colonial and Postcolonial Predicaments

ASIA2067 Asian Economies

ASIA2093 Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

DEMO2003 Migration in the Modern World

HIST1209 Terror to Terrorism

HIST1214 Empires in Global History

HIST2136 World at War, 1939-1945

HIST2141 The Cold War: 1945-1989

HIST2214 The Great War: The Conflict that Changed the World

INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

INTR2012 Chinese Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2014 Indian Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2016 US Foreign and Security Policy in Asia

INTR2018 Japanese Foreign and Security Policy

INTR2020 (In)Stability on the Korean Peninsula

INTR2024 Nuclear Politics in Asia

MEAS2004 Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East

MEAS3009 Modern Arabian Peninsula: Society, Politics and Security

PASI2001 Pacific Studies in a Globalising World

PASI2002 Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries

PASI3013 Environment and Development in the Pacific

STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific

STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands

STST2020 Study Tour: Southeast Asia’s Security Choices

WARS2004: The Second World War in the Pacific

Study Options