Undergraduate Courses
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Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar)

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar)

Abbreviation:

BMedBiotech(Hons)(Dean'sSchol)

UOW Course Code:

1780

CRICOS Code:

084843F

Total Credit Points:

192

Duration:

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health

Intake Session(s):

Autumn

Delivery Mode:

On-campus (Face-to-face)

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 757617

Additional Information:

Course Finder

Overview

Through technologies such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (treating cancer, vaccines, therapy and diagnosis of genetic diseases) and industry (bioremediation).

UOW's Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean’s Scholar) provides you with the tools and knowledge to work in both of these areas.

You will complete a major in cellular and molecular biology, including genetics, immunology and bioinformatics. You will also complete a major strand of chemistry and an optional strand in human anatomy and physiology. The nature of subjects like genetic engineering means you will also complete studies in ethics and management.

Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all the same requirements as Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) candidates, but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges.

All students are invited to participate in various enrichment activities throughout the program and, after the first year, to develop a close association with an appropriate member of one of the faculty's research teams.

If you do not qualify for direct entry to the degree you can gain admission via the Bachelor of Science, subject to satisfactory performance in first year and approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) will be able to:

  1. Describe and appraise broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology associated with medical science.
  2. Consolidate and synthesise advanced knowledge associated with one or more discipline areas in medical, cell or molecular biology.
  3. Critique and evaluate advances in the broader discipline of biological sciences.
  4. Demonstrate skills in reviewing, analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems.
  5. Exercise critical thinking and judgement in integrating new understanding into one or more disciplinary areas.
  6. Communicate knowledge, ideas and independent research findings clearly and coherently through a range of mediums to a professional audience.
  7. Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills associated with medical, cell or molecular biology that can be applied in a professional context.
  8. Independently plan and execute a research project associated with medical, cell or molecular biology.
  9. Appreciate the role, relevance and ethical implications of science in society and demonstrate understanding of the requirements of professional responsibility and ethical conduct.

 

Course Structure

Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.

Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.

Students must complete a minimum of 32 credit points of 300-level subjects.

Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in at least 24 credit points of 300-level core subjects which form part of a Science major.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
Autumn
BIOL105 Functional Biology of Animals and Plants 6 Autumn
MATH151 General Mathematics 1A (if required) 6 Autumn
Select ONE of the following subjects:
Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101. All other students must select CHEM104.
CHEM101 Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry 6 Autumn
CHEM104 Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter 6 Autumn
Spring
BIOL103 Molecules, Cells and Organisms 6 Spring
Select ONE of the following subjects:
CHEM102 Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life 6 Spring
CHEM105 Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures 6 Spring
Note: Students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wish to enrol in CHEM212 must also complete CHEM106.
CHEM106 Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter* 6 Summer
*Note that completion of CHEM106 does NOT count for credit with CHEM105. Completion of CHEM106 does NOT count towards the minimum 192 credit points for this course.
Plus other elective subjects to give a total credit point value of 48, at least 6 credit points of which should be one of the following:
BIOL104 Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment 6 Autumn
MEDI111 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I 6 Autumn
STS 100 Knowledge, Culture & Social Change: Science, Technology & Society# 6 Autumn
PHYS155 Introduction to Biomedical Physics 6 Spring
MEDI112 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II 6 Spring
# STS 100 is compulsory for those students taking an approved course of study which does not include STS 251 (in 2nd year).
Year 2
BIOL213 Principles of Biochemistry 6 Autumn
BIOL214 The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism 6 Spring
BIOL215 Introductory Genetics 6 Spring
CHEM214 Analytical and Environmental Chemistry 6 Spring
STAT252 Statistics For the Natural Sciences 6 Spring
Select subjects from below to give a final subject load of 48 credit points for 200 level subjects.
Note: students must complete either BIOL292 in their 2nd year or BIOL392 in their 3rd year.
BIOL292 Special Biology Studies 6 Autumn, Spring
BIOL240 Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms 6 Autumn
CHEM212 Organic Chemistry II 6 Autumn
MGMT208 Introduction to Management for Professionals A 6 Autumn
MEDI211 Control Mechanisms Physiology 6 Autumn
STS 251 Social Aspects of Genetics and Biotechnology* 6 Autumn
* STS 251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS 100 in 1st year.
BIOL241 Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms 6 Spring
Year 3
Core
BIOL303 Biotechnology: Applied Cell and Molecular Biology 8 Autumn
BIOL320 Molecular Cell Biology 8 Autumn
BIOL321 Infection and Immunity 8 Spring
CHEM320 Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure 8 Spring
Options
Plus ONE Autumn Session subject chosen from the following:
BIOL332 Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology 8 Autumn
BIOL392 Advanced Biology 8 Autumn, Spring, Summer
CHEM350 Principles of Pharmacology 8 Autumn
MEDI311 Fundamentals of Neuroscience^ 8 Autumn
PHIL380 Bioethics 8 Autumn
^Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator.
Plus ONE Spring Session subject chosen from the following:
BIOL392 Advanced Biology 8 Autumn, Spring, Summer
CHEM321 Organic Synthesis and Reactivity 8 Spring
MEDI313 Cardiorespiratory Physiology 8 Spring
ECON317 Economics of Health and Human Resources 8 Spring
STS 320 New Biosciences & the Body:Contemp Issues in Soc Sciences & Medicine 8 Spring
HAS 331 Social Determinants of Indigenous Health 8 Spring
Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.
Year 4
Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below.
BIOL420 Biotechnology Honours 48 Annual
BIOL418 Biotechnology Honours (Part-Time) 24 Annual

Progression Requirements

To maintain a place in the Dean’s Scholar program, students are normally required to achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the 200 and 300 level subjects completed. The performance of each student will be reviewed initially by the Faculty after the completion of 72 credit points. Students not meeting the minimum progression requirements will be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) or Bachelor of Science degree. Enrolment in BIOL292 (Special Biology Studies) requires students to have a WAM of at least 75% in the 100 and 200 level subjects completed.

Honours

The Honours grade for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean’s Scholar) will be calculated in accordance with Method 1 defined in the General Course Rules Section 8.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

Graduates qualify to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Biology, the Australian Society of Microbiology and the Australian Biotechnology Society.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 27 November, 2014