Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years -
Location
Melbourne City, Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
February, July
Entry score
ATAR 77.30
Duration
Full-time 4 years Location
Melbourne City, Bundoora Fees
AU$34,560 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February
Overview
Gain insight into human and animal biology as you explore ways to improve health and treat disease.
You will graduate with majors in microbiology, cell and molecular biology and an optional major of biochemistry.
Biomedical science courses allow you to understand how the human body functions, and the responses of the body to various diseases, exercise, diet, internal disturbances, and environmental influences.
You’ll learn how techniques in molecular biology and genetics are applied to diagnosing genes that cause cancer, making crops and livestock less vulnerable to disease, and making food safer.
You’ll complete studies in cell biology, physiology, microbiology and molecular biology including proteomics. You can also choose to study anatomy, neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, industrial microbiology and applied biochemistry.
Details
This program offers a range of learning environments, including lectures, tutorials, online delivery, and individual and group work.
You’ll spend a significant amount of time on projects in the laboratory and in the field, developing your practical skills and capabilities, teamwork and time-management skills.
Examinations, assignments, oral and written presentations, laboratory reports and project reports will enable you to demonstrate your capabilities and understanding.
You’ll be assessed according to the material being taught, the skills being acquired, and the capabilities developed. Assessments also include in-class discussions, online tests, exams, laboratory assessments, and reports for applying and developing skills using knowledge acquired in lectures.
You will get to work on research projects and practical activities, often undertaken in collaboration with industry.
The final-year Science Project course involves either an industry placement or the opportunity to work on an industry-related project.
In the Practical Biomedical Sciences course, you’ll have further opportunities to undertake a work-placement and receive feedback and guidance from industry professionals.
Year 1
You'll study foundation courses in human biology, cell biology, genetics, animals, chemistry and statistics, along with microbiology and immunology.
Year 2
Second year will broaden your knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry and genetics. You’ll also start your biomedical training by studying molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and developmental cell biology.
Year 3
You'll study medical microbiology, cellular communication, statistics and epidemiology, bioinformatics, and immunology.
Year 4
During your final year, you will master techniques such as gene transfer, microarrays, and real-time DNA analysis. You’ll learn how to apply these to problems in human and animal health.
This may include detection of pathogens, development of vaccines, breeding, crops (drought and disease resistance) and microbes (fermentation). You will also study the regulatory requirements of biotechnology.
You'll have two opportunities to do short research projects or work experience placements. Electives are available in anatomy, neuroscience, cardiovascular biology or industrial microbiology and applied biochemistry.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science | City Campus |
4 years full-time/ 8 years part-time
|
4 years full-time
|
BP293SBDD | 076962K |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP293
Career
Graduates work in research, production and testing positions in government and private laboratories.
Potential employers include:
- government (including CSIRO and Melbourne Water)
- medical research institutes (including WEHI)
- hospitals
- universities
- private industry.
Graduates qualify for professional membership of:
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above or equivalent.
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level or overseas equivalent.
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent more then two years ago.
You must sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if:
- You have no prior Year 12, VET qualifications, HE results or relevant work experience that meet the minimum entry requirements for the program; and
- You are 19 years of age or over (as of 1 Jan 2019) and have not enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years.
The STAT Multiple Choice will satisfy Year 12 English and Year 11 Mathematics prerequisites. Applicants must meet all other prerequisites or equivalents. Learn more about RMIT STAT results.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum average of 70% (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, there may be other RMIT programs you are eligible for that can lead you to your preferred program. Explore pathway options.
Form: Non-Year 12 applicants may submit additional information if they would like it to be considered.
- For semester 1 intake, this can be completed through the VTAC Personal Statement online.
- For semester 2 intake, this can be completed through the personal statement in the Apply Direct application.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
When you successfully complete the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science you may be eligible for entry to the Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) (Honours).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT honours or postgraduate programs.
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to 100% of their student contribution.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA‑HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$34,560.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$144,000.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.