2019 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) | 2019

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours)

Abbreviation:

BMedBiotech(Hons)

UOW Course Code:

1781

CRICOS Code:

084862C

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 / 757611

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) 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.

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 and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to demonstrate:

CLO Description
1 Describe and appraise broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology associated with medical science.
2 Demonstrate skills in reviewing, analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems.
3 Exercise critical thinking and judgement in integrating new understanding into one or more disciplinary areas..
4 Communicate knowledge, ideas and independent research findings clearly and coherently through a range of mediums to a professional audience.
5 Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills associated with medical, cell or molecular biology that can be applied in a professional context.
6 Independently plan and execute a research project associated with medical, cell or molecular biology
7 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

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points, as outlined in the table below.

Please note:

  • 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.
  • This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.
Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
Autumn
BIOL105Functional Biology of Animals and Plants6Autumn
MATH151General Mathematics 1A6Autumn, Summer 2019/2020
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.
CHEM101Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry6Autumn
CHEM104Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter6Autumn
Spring
BIOL103Molecules, Cells and Organisms6Spring
Select ONE of the following two subjects:
CHEM102Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life6Spring
CHEM105Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures6Spring
Note: Students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wish to enrol in CHEM212 must also complete CHEM106.
CHEM106Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter6Summer 2019/2020
Plus other elective subjects to give a total 48 credit points for Year 1 of which, 6 credit points should be one of the following subjects:
BIOL104Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment6Autumn
MEDI100Human Structure and Function6Autumn
PHYS155Introduction to Biomedical Physics6Spring
MEDI112Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II6Spring
STS 112The Scientific Revolution6Autumn
*STS 112 is compulsory for those students taking an approved course of study which does not include SOC 251 (in Year 2).
Year 2
Autumn
BIOL213Principles of Biochemistry6Autumn
Spring
BIOL214The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism6Spring
BIOL215Introductory Genetics6Spring
CHEM214Analytical and Environmental Chemistry6Spring
STAT252Statistics For the Natural Sciences6Spring
Plus, 18 credit points of subjects from the following list:
BIOL240Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms6Autumn
CHEM212Organic Chemistry II6Autumn
MGNT208Introduction to Management for Professionals A6Autumn
MEDI211Control Mechanisms Physiology6Autumn
SOC 251Genetics, Biotechnology and Society6Autumn
BIOL241Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms6Spring
**SOC 251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS 112 in Year 1.
Year 3
Autumn
BIOL343Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research6Autumn
BIOL340Cell and Molecular Biology6Autumn
Plus, two subjects from the following list:
BIOL362Ecophysiology6Autumn
BIOL364Advanced Biology6Autumn, Spring, Summer 2019/2020
CHEM358Pharmacology6Autumn
MEDI312Fundamentals of Neuroscience6Autumn
PHIL326Bioethics6Autumn
***Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator
Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.
Spring
BIOL341Immunity and Infection6Spring
CHEM325Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules6Spring
Plus, two subjects from the following list:
BIOL342Biomedical Research:Skills and Techniques6Spring
BIOL364Advanced Biology6Autumn, Spring, Summer 2019/2020
CHEM360Organic Synthesis III6Spring
MEDI323Cardiorespiratory Studies6Spring
ECON318Economics of Health and Human Resources6Spring
SOC 347Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine6Autumn
HAS 350Social Determinants of Indigenous Health6Spring
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.
BIOL420Biotechnology Honours48SMAH Annual, SMAH Annual 2019/2020
BIOL418Biotechnology Honours (Part-Time)24SMAH Annual, SMAH Annual 2019/2020

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75% or greater in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Health Sciences subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) degree. Students with a WAM below 75% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) with the approval of the Medical Biotechnology Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology) degree.

Honours

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

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

For further information please email: smah-students@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 12 March, 2019