Bachelor of Biotechnology

Harness nature’s potential  

Biotechnology focuses on biology and technology, leading to the development of new products for feeding, fuelling and healing the world. This might include vaccine, antibiotic or hormone production and genetic modification.

It’s a fast-evolving industry with huge potential for improving global health and wellbeing. When we modify living things, all sorts of marvels become possible.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Biotechnology combines traditional science with aspects of engineering and computer science. You will:  

  • give your experimentation meaning as you learn how to take your discoveries from the lab to the market and the broader community
  • delve into areas like drug development, gene therapy or the identification of biomarkers for cancers
  • learn how to produce food, drugs and other products
  • study alongside research-active experts
  • explore molecular, genetic, animal and plant biology
  • discover microbial biotechnology and bioprocess engineering
  • consider social and ethical issues, patents and waste management.

Where could it take you?

You could concoct world-changing pharmaceutical drugs in the lab. You might work to clone animals. Perhaps you’ll aid in the development and implementation of modern techniques for disease prediction and treatment.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte. You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.

  • Top 125 in world for Biological Sciences*
  • Top 200 globally for Biotechnology**
  • Learn from research-active experts

*Times Higher Education by Subject, 2023
**Academic Ranking of World Universities, by Subject, 2022

Entry Requirements

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Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 314691
2024 CSP ATAR 70
2024 CSP IB 25.5
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 75
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 27.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Assumed Knowledge SACE Stage 2: Chemistry and Mathematical Methods and Physics IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL); Chemistry; Physics.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You are ranked on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 64.65
Median ATAR to receive an offer 79
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.35
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 74.05
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 81.58
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 <5 N/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)    		 N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 7 43.8%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 N/A N/A
    International students 7 43.8%
    All students 16 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,980

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


The Bachelor of Biotechnology helps you find a career in: 

  • biomedical biotechnology, medical diagnostics and vaccine discovery
  • development of genetically modified organisms
  • ethics and regulatory organisations
  • innovative and laboratory research science
  • management of biotechnology industries and enterprises
  • patent law (with appropriate qualifications)
  • pharmaceutical industries
  • plant and animal breeding and improvement

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Students may have the opportunity to undertake international study opportunities, such as investigating biotechnology in Seoul, Korea.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Laboratory Manager;  Life Scientist;  Medical Scientist;  Molecular Biology;  Biochemist;  Bioinformatics;  Biotechnology;  Pharmaceutical Scientist;  Plant Biotechnologist;  Public Health Scientist ...

Degree Structure

Level I courses provide strong foundations in chemistry, biology, biotechnology applications and bioprocess engineering principles. Core courses at levels 2 and 3 cover important topic areas, such as molecular biology, molecular and structural biochemistry, microbiology, bioseparations and downstream processing, fermentation, bioinformatics, bioprocess economics, bioprocess design and scale-up, intellectual property, regulatory issues, waste management and bioremediation.

Areas of Specialisation

  • Molecular Biotechnology

Example Study Plan

Level I

Semester I

Semester II

Electives

  • Elective courses from the degree of Bachelor of Science or other undergraduate courses offered by the University that are available to the student.
Level II

Semester I

  • BIOCHEM 2502 Biochemistry II (Biotechnology): Molecular and Cell Biology
  • MICRO 2504 Microbiology II (Biotechnology)
  • Level II Elective
  • Level II Elective

Semester II

  • BIOCHEM 2503 Biochemistry II (Biotechnology): Metabolism
  • BIOTECH 2010 Principles of Biotechnology II
  • Level II Elective
  • Level II Elective

Electives

  • CHEM 2530 Environmental & Analytical Chemistry II
  • CHEM 2540 Medicinal & Biological Chemistry II
  • CHEM 2545 Organic Chemistry II
  • GENETICS 2510 Genetics IIA: Foundation of Genetics
  • MICRO 2505 Immunology & Virology II (Biotechnology)
  • SCIENCE 2550 International Experience II
  • SCIENCE 2700 Science Internship II
  • or elective courses from the degree of Bachelor of Science or other undergraduate courses offered by the University that are available to the student.
Level III

Semester I

  • BIOCHEM 3000 Molecular and Structural Biology III
  • Level III Elective
  • Level III Elective

Semester II

  • BIOTECH 3000 Biotechnology Practice III
  • Level III Elective
  • Level III Elective

Electives

Assessment

Exams, written and oral assignments and investigative projects, includes both individual and group participation.

Related Degrees

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Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024