Bachelor of Science (Microbiology and Biotechnology)

• Program Overview
• Career Outcomes
• Professional Membership
• Program Structure
• Program Requirements and Notes

Program Overview

Microbes can only be seen with a microscope, and are often barely thought about, yet their influence on this planet is almost impossible to overstate - half of the mass of all organisms on Earth is microbes. We live in a sea of microbes and depend on them for our survival.

In this degree, you will study the good, the bad, and the ugly side of microbes. Equally importantly, you study how we can use microbes to our advantage. Many commercially important foods such as cheese, bread, beer and wine are produced by microbes.

Almost all of biotechnology, including genetic engineering, relies at some stage on using microbes: The human genome project, for example, could not have been carried out without the use of bacteria. We now heavily use elements of biotechnology to study microbes in the environment.

Career Outcomes

If you choose to enter the workforce rather than proceed to graduate studies you may obtain employment in the following fields:

• agricultural microbiology
• aquaculture
• bioremediation
• biotechnology
• food microbiology
• industrial microbiology
• infectious disease control
• marine microbial ecology
• medical microbiology
• medical science
• microbial genetics
• microbial pollution monitoring and control
• microbiological research and teaching
• pharmaceutical microbiology
• public health microbiology
• soil microbiology
• water and waste water microbiology

Professional Membership

Depending on their study specialisations, graduates may become members/associate members of various Australian professional bodies including:

• The Australian Society for Microbiology
• The Australian Society for Biotechnology
• The Australasian Society for Immunology

Program Structure

Core Courses

Code	Units	Title
2 required courses:
COR109	12	Communication and Thought
COR110	12	Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship*

Introductory Courses

Code	Units	Title
4 required courses:
SCI103	12	Cell Biology
SCI104	12	Cell Metabolism
SCI105	12	Chemistry
SCI110	12	Research Design and Data Analysis
Plus - choose 2 courses from:
SCI102	12	Biodiversity and the Environment
SCI107	12	Physical Processes
SCI109	12	Environment and Health

Advanced Courses

Code	Units	Title
10 required courses:
MBT251	12	Biochemistry
MBT252	12	Molecular Biology
MBT253	12	Pathogens and Communicable Diseases
MBT263	12	Microbiology
MBT352	12	Molecular Biotechnology
MBT353	12	Microbial Pathogenesis
MBT354	12	Immunology
MBT363	12	Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
MBT364	12	Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
SCI302	12	Advanced Instrumental Techniques

Elective Courses

Choose 6 courses from any Faculty (Science, Arts and Social Sciences, or Business).

Program Requirements and Notes

1. Both Core Courses must be completed within the first two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) enrolment.

2. A minimum of 6 and maximum of 10 introductory courses may be completed, including Core Courses, in the BSc(MicroBiotech).

3. A minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 introductory Science courses (100 level) are to be included in the BSc(MicroBiotech).

4. A minimum of 14 and maximum of 18 advanced courses (200 and 300 level courses) are to be included in the BSc(MicroBiotech).

5. A minimum of 5 of the advanced courses included in the BSc(MicroBiotech) must be completed from the Faculty of Science 300 level (third year) courses.

6. A maximum of 6 courses from outside the Faculty of Science (72 units), other than core courses, may be included in the BSc(MicroBiotech).

7. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.

8. Refer to the Academic Rules.

9. Refer to Explanation of Terms.

* Subject to final approval.

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