Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)

Harness even more of nature’s potential

Our direct-entry Bachelor of Biotechnology(Honours) provides high achieving students with automatic entry into an honours year, provided a 4.5 grade point average (GPA) is maintained.

Biotechnology—integrating biology and technology to create innovative solutions—has enormous potential to feed, fuel and heal. This degree will prepare you to enter this exciting and vital industry with advanced capability and an employability edge.

 

What will you do?

Like the Bachelor of Biotechnology, the direct-entry Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) combines biology with aspects of engineering and computer science. During the first three years, you will:  

  • delve into molecular, genetic, animal and plant biology
  • experiment with protein separation, fermentation, genomics and proteomics
  • use revolutionary gene editing technology at Australia’s first genome editing facility
  • explore microbial biotechnology and bioprocess engineering
  • learn how to produce food, drugs and other products
  • consider global social, economic, environmental and ethical issues, patents and waste management.

In addition to a Molecular Biology major, you’ll be able to choose a second specialisation in: Bioinformatics; Chemistry; Genetics; or Microbiology and Biomedical Science.

You can also gain valuable work experience through an industry internship. And your research skills will be honed through a major research project and/or industry-related project in your honours year.

 

Where could it take you?

You’ll graduate with the biotech world at your feet. The bachelor degree’s same vast range of career paths will of course be open to you. But with your additional honours qualification—and the enhanced capability it signifies—you’ll immediately stand out to potential employers.


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

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 354491
2023 CSP ATAR 72.9
2023 CSP IB 26.5
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 75
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 27.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Assumed Knowledge 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 Students who have completed the required undergraduate program to a satisfactory level may be eligible to apply for the Honours program.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), 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 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special 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

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 70.4
Median ATAR to receive an offer 94.38
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.75
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 72.9
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 96.88
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 2023
    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)
    		 5 62.5%
    • 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 <5 N/A
    All students 8 100.0%

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: $8,420

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

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

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

Potential careers

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

Laboratory Manager;  Biotechnologist;  Biotechnology;  Scientific Officer;  Scientist

Degree Structure

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

Level IV

Students must complete courses to the value of 24 units from the appropriate specialisation area in the Bachelor of Science (Honours)

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023