Overview

Discover the expertise of leading teachers, state-of-the-art facilities and a broad selection of science majors to suit your ambition. Practically apply your knowledge and learn on the job as you work as a scientist for a whole year – and get paid for it – with a 12-month work placement. You’ll emerge with the networks and experience to give you a competitive edge. 

Get more for your ATAR

Looking for a uni with state-of-the-art facilities, guaranteed industry experience and a supportive community? Find your dream course and make Swinburne your #1 VTAC preference.

Your major

Explore the fundamental nature of matter and how it can be applied to a range of industries and medical investigations with the Biochemistry major. You’ll study the molecules of life, from culturing microorganisms to enzymes and DNA. Expand your biochemical knowledge and tap into big career aspirations by studying the very small.

Your industry experience

Build up your CV with real industry experience as you study with Work Integrated Learning, guaranteed for all our bachelor degrees. This Professional Degree includes a 12-month paid work placement and three industry-linked projects. Benefit from Swinburne’s industry partnerships, gain invaluable work experience and earn credit towards your degree.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Understanding biomolecular structures
  • Conducting laboratory experiments
  • Critical data analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Researching and gathering information
  • Producing technical reports

Your career opportunities

  • Biochemical researcher
  • Clinical biochemist
  • Agricultural or environmental scientist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Food or beverage production technician
  • Pathologist

Key codes

CRICOS course code
095882G
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210933
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210931
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Top 200 for Physics

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Ranked Top 200 in Physical Sciences

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Top 200 universities worldwide for Physics and Astronomy

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

84.8% graduate satisfaction for overall experience

  • "The opportunities that are provided and supported by Swinburne are amazing. My favourite part of the course has to be when I worked with Oz Grav and Alan Duffy to investigate how useful virtual reality could be as a tool to teach and engage."

    Joel , Bachelor of Science (Professional)

Qualifications

Successful completion of:

  • the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate qualification or International Baccalaureate. 

Non-Year 12 qualifications, Foundation Year and qualifications undertaken overseas will not be accepted.

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

75.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

75.35

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject adjustments, equity schemes or other factors. 

Subject adjustments: 

  • A study score of 25 in any Mathematics, Physical Education or any Science equals 2 aggregate points per study.
  • A study score of 30 in any Mathematics, Physical Education or any Science equals 3 aggregate points per study.

Overall maximum of 15 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any mathematics or equivalent.
     

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process.

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne’s MathsLink Methods bridging program.

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any mathematics or equivalent.
     

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Science (Professional) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 375 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

8
Core units
+
8
Major units
+
6
Elective units
+
4
Work placement units
=
4-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Chemistry 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10001
Introduction to Chemistry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10004
Calculus and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10012
Introduction to Physics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10002
Concepts of Biology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10001
Semester 2
Linear Algebra and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10013
Sustainability Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS10003
Concepts of Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10003
Chemistry 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10002
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Introduction to Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20002
Elective
Elective unit
Elective
Elective unit
Elective
Elective unit
Semester 2
Societal Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS20011
Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH20001
Elective
Elective unit
Elective
Elective unit
Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - 12 months
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Science
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
NPS20003
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Science
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
NPS20004
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Grand Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS30004
Advanced Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH30003
Environmental Biology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV30001
Elective
Elective unit
Semester 2
Computational and Advanced Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE30006
Molecular Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO30004
Elective
Elective unit
Elective
Elective unit

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Total fee* ($AUD)

$34,928

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$42,800.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BA-SC2PROF
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BA-SC2PROF
Apply directly
Course code
BA-SC2PROF
CRICOS code
095882G
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210931
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210933
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
21-January-2025
  • A female student looking into a microscope in a laboratory.

    World-ranked for science

    Swinburne ranked in the world's top 200

    Swinburne has been ranked in the top 200 institutions in the world for physical science (2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings) and in the top 200 institutions in the world for physics and astronomy (2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities). 

    This ranking positions Swinburne in the top 6 universities in Australia, and the top 3 universities in Victoria.