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Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) (Dean's Scholar)
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
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: |
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:
- Describe and appraise broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology associated with medical science.
- Consolidate and synthesise advanced knowledge associated with one or more discipline areas in medical, cell or molecular biology.
- Critique and evaluate advances in the broader discipline of biological sciences.
- Demonstrate skills in reviewing, analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems.
- Exercise critical thinking and judgement in integrating new understanding into one or more disciplinary areas.
- Communicate knowledge, ideas and independent research findings clearly and coherently through a range of mediums to a professional audience.
- Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills associated with medical, cell or molecular biology that can be applied in a professional context.
- Independently plan and execute a research project associated with medical, cell or molecular biology.
- 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 have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 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 two subjects: | |||
| Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105. | |||
| 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 two 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 |
| Plus other elective subjects to give a total credit point value of 48 credit points for Year 1 of which, 6 credit points should be one of the following subjects: | |||
| 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 Year 2). | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL213 | Principles of Biochemistry | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| 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 |
| Plus, 18 credit points of subjects from the following list: | |||
| Note: students must complete either BIOL292 in their 2nd year or BIOL364 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 |
| MGNT208 | Introduction to Management for Professionals A | 6 | Autumn |
| MEDI211 | Control Mechanisms Physiology | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 251 | Social Aspects of Genetics and Biotechnology** | 6 | Autumn |
| BIOL241 | Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms | 6 | Spring |
| **STS 251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS 100 in 1st year. | |||
| Year 3 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| BIOL343 | Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| BIOL340 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| Plus, two subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL362 | Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| BIOL364 | Advanced Biology | 6 | Autumn, Spring, Summer. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM358 | Pharmacology | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| MEDI312 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience*** | 6 | Autumn. First offered in 2018 |
| PHIL326 | Bioethics | 6 | Autumn. First offered 2018 |
| ***Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator. | |||
| Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator. | |||
| Spring | |||
| BIOL341 | Immunity and Infection | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM325 | Bioinformatics: Genome, Genes and Biomolecules | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| Plus, two subjects from the following list: | |||
| BIOL364 | Advanced Biology | 6 | Autumn, Spring, Summer. First offered in 2018 |
| CHEM360 | Organic Synthesis III | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| MEDI323 | Cardiorespiratory Studies | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| ECON318 | Economics of Health and Human Resources | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| STS 304 | Body Politics & the new Biosciences: Contemporary Issues in Social Science & Medicine | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| HAS 331 | Social Determinants of Indigenous Health | 6 | Spring. First offered in 2018 |
| 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