Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)

  Institution: Swinburne University of Technology

About the course

Course Description:

Biotechnology is the applied science of using living organisms and their by-products for commercial development. In fact, everyday items, like milk, beer antibiotics, biodegradable plastics and bio-fuels are all commodities of biotechnology. More specifically, many biotechnologist work with recombinant DNA, cell fusion, bio-processing techniques, bioremediation (a process that uses micro-organisms or their enzymes to return the environment altered by contaminants to its original condition) and environmental management. Through Swinburne’s Biotechnology professional major, you will examine the fundamental sciences that underpin biotechnology – chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and statistics – whilst developing applications of biotechnology to areas such as business, ethics, and environmental science.

Aims & Objectives:

The course aims to develop:

• mastery of the basic scientific principles that underpin biotechnology
• a sound and practical knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices through which biotechnological discoveries are made
• an appreciation of the social context in which scientific work is undertaken and which scientific knowledge is applied
• an appreciation of the legislation that regulates scientific activities, and particularly those that relate to biotechnology
• advanced communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• an appreciation of the moral, ethical and social elements essential to a satisfying personal philosophy and a sound professional attitude
• skills in self education, evaluation of new information and encouragement in flexibility of thought, to prepare students for a world of accelerating technological change

Course Structure:

This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a term, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each term. The typical student’s average weekly workload during term is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will be approximately 16 hours per week during academic terms.
Students in the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) course must complete 300 credit points, normally 24 units of 12.5 credit points each, comprising:

Biotechnology Professional Major, 16 units of 12.5 credit points each (200 credit points); and
one Co-Major (8 units) OR two Minors (4 units each).
Students can choose from a range of co-majors or minors that add depth or breadth to their degree and also have the option to select their co-major or minors from another Faculty, timetable permitting.

Additionally the following rule apply:

• At enrolment students will be provided with recommended combinations of Faculty Majors, Co-Majors or Minors. Any other combinations a student proposes will be subject to approval by the Faculty;
• the non-credit unit, HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum, is compulsory;
• two (2) Major Project units must be completed as part of the major studies sequence;
• the same unit cannot be counted more than once. Where there are overlaps, the 300 credit points of study must be made up in the first instance by a Minor where 50 credit points is required, otherwise by free electives or Options Plus units;
• students will normally not be permitted to successfully complete more than 26 units (325cps);
• students may only enroll in two Majors where both Majors have sufficient unit overlap to enable both to be completed within a total 300 credit-points of study; and
• Professional Major Co-ordinators have the authority to approve alternative units if required for students to complete in a timely fashion.

Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of their course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students’ career skills.

Final Year Experience – Major Projects
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.

Winter Term
This compulsory program is a six-week Winter term that allows you to complete extra study between the standard semesters.
Electives Plus Minors
Electives Plus combinations provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by undertaking specially selected groups of units from outside their degree discipline.

Electives Plus Minors are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Options Plus
Students will have access to a small set of approved individual Options Plus units of study which provide either a distinctive learning experience or targeted study support. This could include optional study tours, an Intercultural Communications unit, and an ‘introduction to undergraduate research’ unit. In some cases, students may be advised or directed to take specially targeted Options Plus units, for example the Analysing and Writing English unit to be offered for credit in Winter Term for NESB students.
Students undertaking a full 300 cp program are allowed to substitute at least one Options Plus unit for one existing unit within their Co-Major– but not in their Professional Major. They will be advised by their Faculty on which unit(s) of the Co-Major.

In the case of students who enter with significant levels of advanced standing and whose program is therefore composed only of a Professional Major, the Faculty may approve a substitution, or else require the students to undertake the Options Plus unit in addition to their Major studies.

Students can complete the entire degree programme in Sarawak campus. Students will be able to transfer to Swinburne University of Technology, where the course is offered. Acceptance is subjected to academic merit and approval by the respective Faculty.

Units of Study :

Professional major

• HET102 Introductory Physiology
• HMS111 Engineering Mathemathics 1 or HMS101 Foundation Mathematics
• HES1510 Chemistry 1
• HES1610 Concepts of Biology
• HES1616 Concepts of Biotechnology
• HES1525 Chemistry 2
• HES2621 Introduction to Biochemistry
• HES2631 The Microbial World
• HES2636 Microbes in the Environment
• HES2626 Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
• HES4621 Advanced Biochemistry
• HES4641 Practical Biochemistry
• HES4701 Research Skills Project
• HES4628 Environmental Biotechnology
• HES4646 Biotechnology Research Project
• HES4626 Biotechnology

Biotechnology students may choose the following minors and their units of study:

Environmental Science

• HES1510 Chemistry 1*
• HES1555 Consumer Science
• HES2705 Water Science
• HES2735 Communicable Disease Control

*Biotech students have to replace HES1510 with another unit.

Consumer Chemistry Minor
Consumer Chemistry involves the chemical underpinning of many everyday items, such as food, wine, agricultural products and the environment. The minor is suitable to students who wish to study science (particularly chemistry) using interesting and relevant examples.

Units of the Minor in Consumer Chemistry (available from term 2, 2010) are:

• HES1555 Consumer Science
• HES2541 Analytical Chemistry
• HES2700 Food Science
• HES2520 Chemistry 3

Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology Minor
Both industrial and environmental biotechnology provide excellent examples of biotechnology in action. The minor is specifically designed for biotechnology and bioscience students who wish to study real world examples of biotechnology, particularly in a cultural, geographical and environmental setting of relevance to Malaysia in general and Sarawak in specific.

Units of the Minor in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology are:

• HES2205 Aquatic Biotechnology
• HES3405 Natural Products
• HES2210 Industrial Microbiology
• HES3410 Project Development and Evaluation

Education Abroad:

Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two terms during your degree. Swinburne’s Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.

Employment Outcomes

Career opportunities:

Biotechnology is a rapidly developing, globally focused industry with strong government support for innovation. As a biotechnology graduate you can pursue an exciting career in a range of fields including medical, environmental or biomolecular research, clinical biochemistry, food or beverage production, agricultural biochemistry, fermentation technology, wine science, pharmaceutical production, protein engineering, waste treatment, biodegradation, bioremediation, sales, marketing, business analysis and management in the biochemical/chemical industries.

Professional recognition:

Graduates may apply for membership of the following professional societies: Australian Biotechnology Association; The Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Australian Society for Microbiology.

Graduate Attributes:

Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
Effective and ethical in work and community situations
Adaptable and manage change
Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (such as sociocultural, economic, natural)

English Language Requirements

Source : SwinBurne University Of Technology