Medical Biotechnology Degrees

Biotechnology is one of the scientific frontiers of the 21st century.

What was unforeseeable in the past is now changing the future in a more profound way than could have been imagined.

Whether in the areas of agriculture, the environment, genetics or pharmaceuticals and medicine, biotechnology has enormous potential to change our lives forever.

Through modern technologies, such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (cancer, vaccines, therapy of genetic diseases), food production (transgenic plants) and industry (bioremediation).

Biotechnology at the University of Wollongong is focussed on the rapidly developing nucleic acid, protein and monoclonal antibody technologies, rather than on traditional processes such as fermentation.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology
Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced

Overview

Biotechnology is the application of exciting advances in molecular and cell biology to medicine, agriculture, and the environment. Through modern technologies, such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (cancer, vaccines, therapy and diagnosis of genetic diseases), food production (transgenic plants) and industry (bioremediation). Biotechnology encompasses the rapidly evolving fields of monoclonal antibody technology, proteomics and genetic engineering. A new generation of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, hormones and anti-inflammatory agents is being developed using these technologies.

The degree is an interdisciplinary program featuring:

* A major in cellular and molecular biology, including genetics, immunology, bioinformatics;

* A major strand of chemistry;

* Skills in “state-of-the-art” nucleic acid, protein and monoclonal antibody technologies;

* An optional strand in human anatomy and physiology;

* Other relevant areas such as ethics and management;

* The flexibility in first year to explore other options;

* Specialised training in “cutting-edge” technologies in the fourth year;

* Your own research project (fourth year Honours).

This degree represents an excellent foundation for students considering post graduate studies in medicine or other health areas. Many of our past graduates have been successful in obtaining entry into these post graduate degrees.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (744): Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 85 (or equivalent). The ATAR is reviewed each year.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced (744_2): Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 90 (or equivalent). The ATAR is reviewed each year.

Assumed Knowledge: Four units of Science (including Biology or Chemistry) or four units comprising Science and Mathematics. Students who have not completed Biology and/or Chemistry at the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year. Students without at least HSC Mathematics Band 4 (or equivalent) are required to take a Mathematics subject (usually MATH151) in the first year.

Course Requirements

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology:

This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Advanced:

Students who are eligible for this degree fulfil all of the same requirements as Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology candidates but are also eligible for additional benefits and challenges. For further information refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Advanced (741A) and consult the Degree Coordinator.

Progression Requirements:

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (an average of 65% or greater in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedical Science subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology degree. Students with an average below 65% in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedical Science subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology with the approval of the Biotechnology Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology) degree.

Course Program

Honours

The degree of Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology Honours is awarded for performance in third and fourth year subjects, based on a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) formula.

Please Note: There are special requirements for progression to the fourth year. Refer to the section “Progression Requirements” above.

Professional Recognition

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

Other Information

For more detailed course information contact the Professional Officer, Julie-Ann Green - School of Biological Sciences, telephone (02) 4221 3100, email: jagreen@uow.edu.au

The Degree Coordinator is Dr Martina Sanderson-Smith - School of Biological Sciences, telephone (02)4298 1935, email: martina@uow.edu.au

Students enrolled in this elite degree will study areas such as biochemistry, genetics, molecular cell biology, immunology, bio-informatics and related areas of chemistry and biomedical sciences. Additionally, students study other relevant areas such as ethics and management.

In the Honours year students may choose an area of research from a diverse range of fields and research institutes. Included among these are medical research institutes, hospital laboratories, divisions of CSIRO, sections of the Department of Agriculture and Forensic Science Divisions. Students may also choose from internationally renown research at the University of Wollongong in areas as diverse as plant biotechnology, marine biotechnology, immunology and the human medical areas of vaccine development, cell death and cancer research.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology have had a 100% employment success rate within six months of degree completion. They are employed in a variety of fields both within Australia and internationally including environmental research, patent consultancy and medical research. Additionally, many graduates have continued further study by enrolling in Doctoral degrees or Pharmacy and Medical degrees.

There is such enormous potential in the biotechnology field that even those directly involved may be unable to truly understand its full potential. However, armed with the skills which will lead this world in the biotechnology revolution of the 21st century, the horizons of the medical biotechnology graduate are ever widening and their future bright.