新南威爾士大學

The world relies increasingly on advances in biotechnology to overcome medical, environmental, agricultural and manufacturing challenges. Biotechnologists work at the forefront in pharmaceuticals, food, industrial chemicals, crop and livestock farming, environmental clean-up and forensics. This four-year degree, including an Honours year, provides comprehensive training in all aspects of the field. You will first learn the fundamentals of science in courses such as biology, chemistry and math. You will then delve deeper into the multidisciplinary world of biotechnology, with courses in molecular biology, microbiology, chemistry, genetics and biotechnology. Gain invaluable practical experience in your Honours year, where you will experience scientific research first-hand and complete a supervised research project.

Biotechnology can be defined as the use of various biological processes to make products and perform services. In biotechnology, living cells and biochemical macromolecules such as proteins, DNA and RNA are applied in a rapidly expanding range of activities of direct benefit to society. Biotechnology is used for the production of pharmaceuticals, food and industrial chemicals, in the development of improved crops and livestock for farming, for environmental clean-up, and in forensics. Modern biotechnology makes practical use of the most recent scientific advances in areas such as molecular genetics and molecular cell biology.

The development of recombinant DNA technology has resulted in the ability to create, modify and improve industrial organisms and to produce large quantities of any useful protein. Based on this technology, biopharmaceuticals including hormones, vaccines, anti-hypertensive agents, anti-inflammatory agents and new therapies for the treatment of cancer are being developed with the potential to revolutionize medicine. The sequencing of the human genome and the rapid emergence of high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques is resulting in a surge of new drug targets. Translation of this advanced knowledge into useful therapies and improved medical practices requires the application of biotechnology.

Career Opportunities

Biotechnologist

Biochemist

Forensic scientist

Geneticist

Microbiologist

Policy specialist

Environmental scientist

Medical scientist

Patent specialist

Assumed Knowledge

Chemistry, Mathematics