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Monash University: University handbooks: Undergraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Biotechnology (with Honours)

Course code: 3527 + Course abbreviation: BBiotech(Hons) + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time (part-time available for stages one to three only)

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton)

Course description

The course provides students with a strong foundation in the enabling science disciplines of biology, chemistry and mathematics as well as skills and techniques in molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry. They also gain advanced knowledge and skills in at least one of the scientific areas that contribute to the biotechnology industry and related research. The core units provide graduates with theoretical and practical knowledge of the biotechnology industry so that they understand how research and development in that context differs from non-commercial research. During the course, students also develop generic skills and knowledge appropriate to employment in science including numeracy, data analysis and presentation, communication skills and teamwork skills. The fourth year provides a higher level of experience in independent analysis and research in the chosen field of expertise and brings together the science and industry perspectives.

Course structure

Core studies

Students must complete the core biotechnology units at each year level (stages one to three), foundation scientific studies (at stages one to two), units towards an approved scientific specialisation stream (at stages two to three), and two approved elective units at stage one. The fourth stage involves a major laboratory research project along with project work specifically relating to commercial product development.

Areas of study

Students must complete an approved specialisation stream in an area of biotechnology. Details of the requirements of each stream are described below under 'Course requirements'. Although students are not required to select their specialist stream until the completion of stage one of the course, some streams involve units that have specific level-one prerequisite units. For example, 'Biomolecular processing' requires students to complete both MTH1020 and MTH1030.

Course requirements

Over the four stages of the course, students must complete all of the following:

  • Eight foundation science units at stages one to two (48 points).
  • A biotechnology core unit at each of stages one to three (18 points).
  • 10 specialist units in an approved biotechnology stream at stages two to three (60 points).
  • Two elective units from any faculty (12 points).
  • An honours research project in biotechnology (36 points).
  • Commercialisation of biotechnology coursework and project (12 points).

No more than 60 points of level-one units can be counted towards the requirements of the course, and at least 36 points of relevant level-three units must have been completed. The maximum time for completion of the course is 10 years, including intermissions.

Specifically, to be awarded the BBiotech(Hons) students must have completed all of the following:

Stage one

Forty-eight points of units, comprising:

Stage two

48 points of units, comprising:

Stage three

48 points of units, comprising:

  • BTH3022
  • Five units to complete the core component of one of the approved specialist streams (outlined below)
  • Two related ‘selective’ units as approved for that specialist stream (outlined below)
Stage four

48 points of units, comprising:

  • BTH4100 Biotechnology research project (36 points)
  • BTH4200 Commercialisation of biotechnology (12 points)
Approved specialist streams
Biomolecular processing (60 points)

To be advised.

Chemical biotechnology (60 points)
  • CHM2911, CHM2922, and one of CHM2960 or CHM2942
  • CHM3941, CHM3922, and one of CHM3911 or CHM3952
  • Two CHM elective units at level three
  • Plus two level-three units from one of the following areas of study: ANT, BCH, BIO, CEL, GEN, HUP, IMM, MIC, BNS, PHA, or PHY
Medical biotechnology (60 points)

To be advised.

Nano(bio)technology (60 points)

To be advised.

Plant and animal biotechnology (60 points)
  • BIO2282
  • Either CHM2922 or CHM2182
  • GEN2041
  • BIO3011, BIO3082, GEN3030, GEN3040
  • One additional level-three BIO unit covering regulation, control and techniques in cell biology
  • Plus two units at levels two or three from one of the following areas of study: CHM, GEN, BIO, MIC or BCH

Course progression requirements

Students must have completed all of the stage one to three requirements and achieved an average mark of at least 70 in at least 24 points of level-three units (including BTH3022), to be able to proceed to stage four of the course. Students who have completed all of the stage one to three requirements but do not meet this progression requirement will be able to graduate with a pass-degree qualification.

Contact details

Course coordinator

Dr Philip MacKinnon

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