Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) (BBiotech(Hons))
Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) (BBiotech(Hons))
Program Code
HBIO
Program Faculty
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Academic Year
2025
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
The field of biotechnology is constantly evolving and utilises current technologies such as protein separation technologies, genomics and proteomics to produce foods, drugs and other products. This program provides training in both the molecular basis for biotechnology and bioprocess technologies required for product development. This program provides students with a unique cross disciplinary approach and is based on the areas of molecular biology, animal, plant and microbial biotechnology, structural biology and bioprocess engineering.
The final year of this program provides an opportunity for students to extend their knowledge and skills through participation in a substantial research project and associated theoretical work. This extended professional training provides an opportunity to experience scientific research in a chosen area of specialization. During the final year students will learn new techniques, broaden their research skill base and further develop their time management skills.
The Bachelor of Biotechnology(Honours) is an AQF Level 8 program with a standard full-time duration of 4 years.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Understanding biotechnology 1. Demonstrate an integrative understanding of biotechnology by: 1.1 explaining the role and relevance of biotechnology and its related disciplines in society 1.2 understanding the major economic, social and policy drivers that underpin biotechnological practice 1.3 understanding how information is adopted and the context within which the biotechnology industry makes decisions.
- Knowledge of biotechnology 2. Exhibit depth and breadth of knowledge of biotechnology by: 2.1 demonstrating well-developed knowledge of the core sciences in the context of biotechnology 2.2 demonstrating a basic knowledge of economics, business and social science as they apply to biotechnology 2.3 demonstrating high-level understanding of key theoretical and practical aspects in a specialist area within biotechnology.
- Inquiry and problem solving 3. Critically analyse and address complex problems in biotechnology by: 3.1 gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources 3.2 designing and planning an investigation 3.3 selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation or develop a biotechnological process 3.4 collecting, accurately recording, analysing, interpreting and reporting both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Communication 4. Be effective communicators of biotechnology by: 4.1 communicating with a wide range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes.
- Personal and professional responsibility 5. Be accountable for their own learning and professional work by: 5.1 being independent and self-directed learners 5.2 working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context 5.3 demonstrating broad knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to biotechnology and advanced knowledge for those specific to their specialist area of biotechnology 5.4 Personally practising ethical conduct.
Conditions
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Executive Dean or delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.
Condition of continuing enrolment: students must maintain a minimum semester GPA of 4.5 throughout their enrolment or will be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Biotechnology.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)
There shall be a Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours).
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours), the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 96 units, comprising:
1. Core courses to the value of 63 units.
2. Elective courses to the value of 33 units.
3. Level I courses not exceeding 30 units.
4. Level III Science courses to the value of at least 24 units.
5. Level IV Science courses to the value of 24 units chosen from the Bachelor of Science (Honours).
Core Courses
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Core Courses
To satisfy the requirements for Core Courses students must complete courses to the value of 63 units.
Level I
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOLOGY 1101 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells 3 BIOLOGY 1201 Biology I: Human Perspectives 3 SCIENCE 1500 Introductory Data Science - Becoming Smart About Data 3 and
Courses to the value of 6 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA 3 CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB 3 or
Courses to the value of 6 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value CHEM 1101 Foundations of Chemistry IA 3 CHEM 1201 Foundations of Chemistry IB 3 Level II
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOCHEM 2502 Biochem II (Biotech): Molecular and Cell Biology 3 BIOCHEM 2503 Biochemistry II (Biotechnology): Metabolism 3 BIOTECH 2010 Principles of Biotechnology II 3 MICRO 2504 Microbiology II (Biotechnology) 3 Level III
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOCHEM 3000 Molecular and Structural Biology III 6 BIOTECH 3000 Biotechnology Practice III 6 Level IV
Students must complete courses to the value of 24 units from the appropriate specialisation area in the Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Electives
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Elective Courses
To satisfy the requirements for Elective Courses students must complete courses to the value of 33 units.
Electives may include other undergraduate courses offered by the University that are not listed as elective courses from the degree of Bachelor of Science up to the value of 9 units in total at levels I and/or II with no more than 6 units at level I.
Level I
Elective courses from the degree of Bachelor of Science or other undergraduate courses offered by the University that are available to the student.
Level II
Courses to the value of up to 12 units may be taken from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value CHEM 2530 Environmental & Analytical Chemistry II 3 CHEM 2545 Organic Chemistry II 3 GENETICS 2510 Genetics IIA: Foundation of Genetics 3 MICRO 2505 Immunology & Virology II (Biotechnology) 3 or
Elective courses from the degree of Bachelor of Science or other undergraduate courses offered by the University that are available to the student.
Level III
Courses to the value of 12 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOCHEM 3001 Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III 6 BIOINF 3000 Bioinformatics III 3 BIOINF 3010 Genomics Applications III 3 BIOTECH 3010 Advanced Research Platforms III 3 BIOTECH 3020 Molecular Microbiology and Vaccines III 3 BIOTECH 3030 Protein Purification: Principles and Practice III 3 ENTREP 3901 Tech eChallenge 3 GENETICS 3111 Genes, Genomes and Molecular Evolution III 6 GENETICS 3211 Gene Expression & Human & Developmental Genetics III 6 MICRO 3000 Infection & Immunity IIIA 6 MICRO 3001 Infection and Immunity IIIB 6 PLANT SC 3515WT Plant Biotechnology III 3 STEM 3700 STEM Internship 3 or
additional Level III courses to the value of 12 units from the degree of Bachelor of Science.
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Broadening Experience
The broadening experience requirement can be met by any of the following:
Study abroad or exchangeor
Courses to the value of 3 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value SCIENCE 3200 Communicating Science III 3 SCIENCE 3500 Science International Study Tour 3 SCIENCE 3510 Science International Study Tour B 3 STEM 3700 STEM Internship 3 or
Courses outside the major area of study.