Overview 2023
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
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For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
With an ever-growing population and a need to live in harmony with our planet and its resources, there is an immediate global demand for skilled biotechnology graduates that is only going to increase in the future.
Through the Bachelor of Biotechnology, you can make a positive impact on one person’s life or the lives of millions, in industries all around the world.
You could be solving problems related to gene therapy; identifying and potentially curing currently terminal conditions; creating vaccines for our deadliest diseases; generating sustainable sources of fuel; feeding an ever-increasing worldwide population; helping to make livestock less vulnerable to disease; making plants naturally resistant to pests; or using natural organisms to remove pollution and heavy metals from soil and waterways.
Course objectives
This course specifically aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, competencies and awareness in preparation for employment in industry and research organisations working in the expanding biotechnology sector as well as for research in higher degrees.
The Bachelor of Biotechnology combines a range of scientific disciplines with advanced technology in order to naturally and ethically manipulate living organisms for the benefit of humanity and the planet.
As the application of biotechnology is deeply integrated with society, you will also cover ethics and social responsibility so that you can apply your scientific skills with a full appreciation of impact and benefits.
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
All of our biotechnology streams include a significant amount of hands-on experience through laboratory work, field trips, and experiences in external workplaces via industry engagement.
We let you get involved from day one, using the equipment yourself while supported by laboratory technicians, who supervise but do not do it for you. This will help make you job-ready, giving you practical skills that you will be using to create applied solutions on a daily basis.
As well as the facilities and equipment, teaching staff bring their cutting-edge findings and examples to the laboratory and classroom. Our well above world-class* research rankings in biotechnology related fields of analytical and inorganic chemistry, ecology, plant biology, zoology, agriculture, horticulture, clinical sciences, human movement and sport science and neurosciences mean that you will be learning from some of the best in the world in the same environment where they conduct their world-class research.
*2015 Excellent in Research Australia (ERA) rankings.
Tasmania as a Living Laboratory
Your physical location is also a major source of your practical experience opportunities. Tasmania is a living laboratory and your proximity to world-class, industry-standard facilities and pristine, diverse environments both in and outside the University will give you the practical experience you need to prepare you for a career in any stream you choose.
STEM Student Ambassadors
Undergraduates can also serve as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Student Ambassadors. The goals of the program are to provide exceptional STEM education, outreach and community engagement in schools and elsewhere. The program provides opportunities and experiences that will lead to personal and professional growth for participants, particularly improving public speaking skills.
Overseas Exchange
Our international exchange program offers opportunities for a semester of study at universities around the world. Exchange can allow students to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. Participants may be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses. Find out more about Student Exchange.
Career outcomes
"A new generation of skilled and innovative biotechnologists will develop the solutions to overcome the increasing pressure on our planet’s ecosystems from growing human populations, as well as providing a range of new products that greatly improve our lives."
Biotechnology is already a major contributor to a huge range of industries all around the world and will only prove to be more valuable as we need to increase outputs from ever-shrinking resources and adapt to an ever-changing environment.
Career Opportunities with Biotechnology
You could be developing new methods for detecting and diagnosing diseases, working in stem cell research to come up with new vaccines and treatments for crippling diseases, or developing cheaper and more effective drugs to combat a range of conditions.
Government agencies utilise biotechnologists for everything from research (CSIRO) to forensics (police). You could be drought and pest-proofing our future food supply, or inventing faster and more accurate DNA identification methods to solve crimes. The breakthroughs you make can have a beneficial effect on millions of people.
You might choose to take a more boutique approach to the application of biotechnology. Careers in the agricultural production sector may see you developing better beer and wines, making longer-lasting cheese and food products, or starting your own business by following an untapped niche market.
Career options in Biotechnology include the following specific jobs and industries:
- Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry
- Aquaculture, marine and freshwater industries
- Brewer
- Cheese technologist
- Food safety advisor to government
- Food safety auditor
- Pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical
- Plant and animal breeding
- Public service (department of primary industries, quarantine)
- Quality assurance manager/consultant (food industry)
- Research in Universities, CSIRO, and Industry
- Teaching
- Wine-maker
Course structure
Year 1
75 points from Schedule A (Core)
Data Handling and Statistics 1 is the first of three applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). Statistics is the science of decision making, and as such forms a key foundation of any scientific research. This…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Biology of Plants is a 1st year core unit for students specialising in plant science, agricultural science, and marine science. In Biology of Plants we introduce you to the origin, diversity, structure and internal processes of plants. In lectures and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Cell Biology, Genetics & Evolution is a core first year unit for BSc students majoring in Plant Science and important for any student studying Biological Sciences. Cell biology, genetics and evolution are fundamental to an understanding of the processes of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KPZ164 Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution
This unit (along with Chemistry 1B in Semester 2) is the required prerequisite for students intending to major in Chemistry and for those intending to proceed to any second-year chemistry unit.The unit builds on the introduction to chemistry given in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit (along with Chemistry 1A in Semester 1) is the required prerequisite for students intending to major in Chemistry and for those intending to proceed to any second-year chemistry unit.The unit builds on the introduction to chemistry given in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
KZA161 Biology of Animals provides an introduction to the scientific study of animals. Students are introduced to animal diversity through studying the major invertebrate and vertebrate phyla with an emphasis on Australian examples. We consider the structural and functional characteristics…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Choice of 25 points from Schedule B (Electives)
This unit is designed to introduce students to human cells and tissues and the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, defence, musculoskeletal and neuroendocrine systems in the human body. The unit will include: (a) the basic facts and concepts relating…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Health Study Period 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Health Study Period 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Health Study Period 1 | ||||
| Rozelle - Sydney | Health Study Period 1 | ||||
This unit is designed to introduce you to the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems of the human body. The regulation of body temperature will also be studied in the unit. The unit will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
| Rozelle - Sydney | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
Year 2
62.5 points from Schedule C (Core)
Provides students with a broad introduction to metabolic and nutritional aspects of biochemistry, and laboratory techniques in biochemical analysis of tissues and enzymes. Major topics include structure, function and metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids; the integration and control…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CBA260 Biochemistry: Metabolism & Nutrition
This unit provides students with a broad introduction to molecular biology and how it can be used to investigate health & disease. The focus of this unit is primarily on humans and other mammals, but most of the matters discussed…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CBA265 Molecular Biology in Health & Disease
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms- how they work and their role in our world. Microorganisms encompass huge diversity and include bacteria, viruses, fungi and single-celled animals and algae. Although not visible to the naked eye, microorganisms have a profound…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit builds on first year chemistry and consolidates this theoretical and practical framework. It is one of two 200 level units essential for students who intend to major in chemistry, or who are majoring in disciplines that interface with…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Choice of 37.5 points from Schedule D (Electives)
Human Physiology (CHP207) builds on first year Biology-based units and gives students an understanding of the function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal and nervous systems and their integration and interaction in the human body. Students will learn how to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Pharmacology is the field of science that studies the function of drugs, their effects to living systems and how these living systems handle them. Since it describes the mechanisms of action of drugs in the body and the various interactions…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Health Study Period 2 | ||||
Pharmacology is the field of science that studies the function of drugs, their effects to living systems and how these living systems handle them. Since it describes the mechanisms of action of drugs in the body and the various interactions…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | Health Study Period 3 | ||||
| Launceston | Health Study Period 3 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Health Study Period 3 | ||||
Microorganisms, though invisibly small, collectively make up the majority of the living matter on Earth and have profound influences on many aspects of our lives. This unit will draw on contemporary, real-world examples to explore the influence and impact of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Data Handling and Statistics 2 is the second of three applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). This unit is designed to extend students' knowledge of statistical data analysis. It builds on the concepts introduced in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Plants in Action is a core unit for BSc students interested in botany (plant science) and is a valuable component of other biology-related degrees. The unit explores the interaction of plants with the environment at the organism, organ, tissue and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This core unit provides a broad training in fundamental aspects of population and community ecology and (with other core units in the School of Biological Sciences) forms an essential basis for specialist studies at third year level. This unit focuses…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology
This unit builds on KRA113/114 or KRA101/102, and consolidates the theoretical and practical framework required by students who intend to major in chemistry or who need additional chemistry to support their studies in other science areas. The Physical Chemistry component…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KRA242 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
KZA212 Functional Biology of Animals is required in the Zoology major and provides a broad training in fundamental aspects of Zoology. With KPZ211, the unit forms an essential basis for specialist studies in Zoology at level 3 the advanced level.…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 3
50 points from Schedule E (Core)
This unit focuses on practical applications of plant and animal genetics and biotechnology, emphasising the use of modern genetic tools in industry and research. The lecture series describes genetic and biotechnology applications that can help increase food production (genetic improvement,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KPZ309 Applied Genetics and Biotechnology
This unit is about how genetics is used to study development and evolution, and gives an overview of the genetic approaches and techniques that are now an essential part of almost every area of biology. The lecture component examines ways…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Choice of 50 points from Schedule F (Electives)
This unit provides students with an understanding of recent developments and contemporary issues in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. Areas covered include topics related to hormones and signal transduction, gene regulation and epigenetics, stem cells, transgenic animals and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CBA343 Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Genetics forms the nexus between human biology and the environment with almost every human disease having a genetic component. This course covers the basic tenets of human genetics, introducing genetic concepts and building on these throughout the course. This will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
The aim of this unit is to build on the knowledge you have gained regarding the structure and function of the nervous system in CHP311 and relate that to our current understanding of how the nervous system functions, for example…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Food safety comprises a broad range of scientific endeavours that are important in human society. Maintenance of food security and public health requires vigilance in the food supply, including safety, traceability, epidemiology and the ecology of food-borne pathogens. The science…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Traditional approaches to food safety assurance are failing to keep up with the modern food industry. In response, and to harmonise international trade in food, food safety management is moving to a "risk-based approach that relies strongly on synthesis of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit considers the role of microorganisms in the production, deterioration and safety of foods, from both ecological and physiological perspectives, including the effect of temperature, pH, water activity and other factors on the growth and decline of microbial populations…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
The unit covers the basic principles of environmental microbiology, microbial diversity and evolution. Lectures are provided on the latest techniques used in microbial ecology including coverage of advanced methods in functional analysis and genomics. A focus is placed on the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KLA398 Applied Environmental Microbiology
This unit will provide you with, first, a strong grounding in the physiology of reproduction, stress and disease ecology in higher vertebrates. You will develop your understanding of how knowledge of a species' physiology and behaviour, particularly in relation to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KPZ306 Conservation Physiology and Disease Ecology
This unit focuses on practical applications of plant and animal genetics and biotechnology, emphasising the use of modern genetic tools in industry and research. The lecture series describes genetic and biotechnology applications that can help increase food production (genetic improvement,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KPZ309 Applied Genetics and Biotechnology
This unit is designed to provide students with a state-of-the-art knowledge of plant function, focusing on central concepts of plant responses to drought stress, nutrient availability and light environment. These plant behavioural characteristics are essential for understanding the way plants…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Biologists collect and reason with a wide range of data and information. This unit introduces the key processes needed to design, collect and analyse biological data, and develops the different ways in which data is converted to information and how…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit extends the basic understanding of organic chemistry and chemical reactivity from level 200 units and introduces more advanced chemical reactions and the concept of rational synthetic design. It is one of four 300 level units essential for students who intend to major in chemistry.The unit highlights the key reactions in the synthesis of biological molecules and provides and introduction to the role of natural products and synthetic chemistry to the pharmaceutical sector. Topics that will be included are selected from: the biosynthesis of biologically important molecules, natural products and medicinal chemistry, the chemistry of reactive intermediates, pericyclic reactions, heterocyclic chemistry, mechanisms of polymer formation and the use of retrosynthetic analysis in the design of multi--step chemical syntheses. The laboratory program is closely associated with the lecture material and introduces techniques and instrumentation that are used in modern synthetic…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KRA341 Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry
This unit builds upon the basic understanding of inorganic chemistry from level 200 and introduces more advanced topics. With particular focus on the application to the study of advanced inorganic topics including catalysis and sustainable reaction processes. The topics will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KRA342 Catalysis and Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
This unit builds on a range of chemical concepts and techniques introduced in 200 level units that are widely used by modern scientists that are not restricted to the chemical sciences; including earth sciences, environmental studies, industrial chemistry, and physical,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Analytical Chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the identification of compounds and mixtures (qualitative analysis) or the determination of the proportions of the constituents (quantitative analysis). It is important for ensuring the safety of our food and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Entry requirements
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.
You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount
Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
Domestic Students
Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including: those who have achieved high academic results, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with sporting ability, students undertaking overseas study, and students with a disability.
For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Applications for most awards commencing in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.
International students
There are a huge range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries