Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Biotechnology

The discipline

Biotechnology is an exciting area in modern science which has great potential in the industrial, medical and agricultural sectors. It is difficulat to define biotechnology as it includes practical applications of knowledge involving many biological processes. The strength of biotechnology at Monash is that it draws on advances in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, chemical science/engineering, cell biology, immunology, pharmacology and other disciplines. A major in biotechnology reflecting all facets of this area includes subjects from various disciplines across faculties, departments and schools. Alternatively, this major can be taken as an undergraduate Diploma in Biotechnology (Research and Management) as a third-science major by overloading alongside a degree course. For information about this diploma, see the ´Outline of undergraduate studies' section.

Discipline structure

The biotechnology major consists of a total of 48 points, consisting of 12 credit points of core subjects at second and third level each, in combination with 24 credit points of electives, as outlined below. Students should note that 12 points of the elective subjects must be taken from the third-level electives.
Note that subjects marked with an asterisk throughout this discipline outline are available in both on-campus and distance education mode.

First level

The structure of this major is unusual in that it does not include first-level subjects but has a prerequisite of either BIO1022, CHM1022, BIO1626* or CHM1639*

Second level

There are two six-point core (compulsory) subject combinations at second level:
Either

or

A further 12 points may be taken as electives from the list below:

Third level

Two six-point core subjects must be taken as follows:

At least one six-point subject must be taken from the following list:

(Note that there is a prohibition between SCI3094 and SCI3716.)
At least 12 points of electives must be taken from the following subjects (List A):

# It is highly recommended that students undertake at least one of these subjects to provide practical experience of working in a scientific or industrial research environment. For SCI3741 and SCI3739, the biotechnology content of the project and the supervisor's agreement must be approved by the biotechnology coordinator prior to commencing the project. Students should also note that SCI3741 and SCI3739 are a prohibited combination.
Up to 12 points may be selected from the following list (List B):

Students should note that prerequisites and prohibitions apply to some of these subjects. Check the individual subject entries at the back of this handbook.

Diploma in Biotechnology (Research and Management)

This course has an identical structure to the major sequence in biotechnology outlined above. Enrolment in the undergraduate Diploma in Biotechnology (Research and Management) is subject to an entry prerequisite and enables eligible students to complete an additional major sequence concurrently with their degree course. See details in the ´Outline of undergraduate studies -- Clayton' section.

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