Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science
with a major in Biotechnology – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Selected major: Biotechnology
Examine the fundamental sciences that underpin biotechnology – chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and statistics – while investigating the application of biotechnology to areas such as business, ethics and environmental science.
Students who select Biotechnology as a major may not select Biochemistry as a second major.
Majors for Bachelor of Arts:
Climate and Social JusticeCriminologyEthics and TechnologyIndigenous StudiesPerspectives on Globalisation Politics, Power and TechnologyProfessional and Creative Writing Screen Studies and Popular CultureMajors for Bachelor of Science:
Applied MathematicsBiochemistryBiotechnologyChemistryEnvironmental SciencePhysicsWith a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science combine a science specialisation with a deep understanding of the world for a broad scope of exciting careers.
With this combination of degrees, you’ll equip yourself with the skills required to work in a range of professional scientific environments and grow your knowledge as you unpack what drives social change in contemporary society.
Whether you’re passionate about climate change, social justice or how to protect our rights in an evolving tech rich world – with your arts degree, you’ll strengthen your analytical thinking by tackling crucial global problems with majors such as Climate and Social Justice or Ethics and Technology, that go hand in hand with science specialisations such as Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Environmental Science.
You’ll graduate ready for exciting career prospects across a range of industries - as well as the confidence to stand up and make the difference our world needs to survive.
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This double degree has four units where you’ll have Work Integrated Learning opportunities. You'll apply your learning in three project units related to science in professionally focused, industry-linked projects throughout your degree. In your second year, in the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core arts unit, you'll collaborate with fellow students and community, civil society and industry partners to create real campaigns for real social change.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
- Semester 2 - 29 July 2024
VTAC codes
- 3400210131 (CSP)
- 3400210133 (IFP)
As part of my degree, I participated in two panels at the PAX Gaming Festival. Using my presentation skills, I gained from my arts classes, I presented the history of video games in certain parts of the world. The biggest takeaway: take advantage of the industry contacts the lecturers at Swinburne have. It'll help you get the foot in the door for future work or projects.
Joshua
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science (majors in Cinema and Screen Studies (now available as Screen Studies and Popular Culture), and Applied Mathematics)
Swinburne students work with ACMI
Swinburne’s Bachelor of Arts students created new experiences called Constellations for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) visitors as part of its $40 million transformation.
The Constellation is a large-scale, data-driven exhibit that connects visitors to films, TV series, artworks and video games outside ACMI.
As ACMI’s Major Academic Partner, Swinburne supports the Swinburne Studio – an available to hire multi-purpose function space – home for ACMI’s many diverse festivals and events, as well as a programming collaboration space between the two organisations.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Technology and Society | ART10002 | 12.5 |
| Concepts of Biology | BIO10001 | 12.5 |
| Either Chemistry 1 | CHE10001 | 12.5 |
| or Introduction to Chemistry | CHE10004 | 12.5 |
| Either Preliminary Mathematics | MTH00007 | 12.5 |
| or Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
| or Digital and Data Systems | ENG10004 | 12.5 |
| Either Essential Mathematics | MTH10010 | 12.5 |
| or Calculus and Applications | MTH10012 | 12.5 |
| or Linear Algebra and Applications | MTH10013 | 12.5 |
| Sustainability Challenges in Science | NPS10003 | 12.5 |
| Either Energy and Motion | PHY10001 | 12.5 |
| or Introduction to Physics | PHY10002 | 12.5 |
| Skills and Strategies for Social Change | ART20003 | 12.5 |
| Societal Challenges in Science | NPS20011 | 12.5 |
| Changemakers in Action | ART30004 | 12.5 |
| Arts Internship | ART30005 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges in Science | NPS30004 | 12.5 |
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Selected major: Biotechnology
Examine the fundamental sciences that underpin biotechnology – chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and statistics – while investigating the application of biotechnology to areas such as business, ethics and environmental science.
Students who select Biotechnology as a major may not select Biochemistry as a second major.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Concepts of Biotechnology | BIO10003 | 12.5 |
| Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins * | BCH20001 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Biochemistry | BCH20002 | 12.5 |
| The Microbial World | BIO20002 | 12.5 |
| Advanced Biochemistry * | BCH30003 | 12.5 |
| Molecular Biotechnology * | BIO30004 | 12.5 |
| Microbes in the Environment | BIO30005 | 12.5 |
| Applications of Bioinformatics | BIO30009 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities | SOC20019 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Science | NPS20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Science | NPS20004 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Science | NPS20003 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science graduates will be able to:
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/or social sciences
- Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of expertise
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of inter-disciplinarity for generating solutions
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.
- articulate the methods of science, explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and explain the role and relevance of science in society.
- exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one science disciplinary area.
- critically analyse and solve scientific problems by evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and theoretical techniques for that investigation and collecting, recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
- effectively communicate science by presenting information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes using a variety of modes.
- adopt ownership of their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively and safely in an individual or team context, demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to the disciplinary area and practising ethical conduct.
Career opportunities
There are countless career opportunities with the Art/Science double degree combination.
You’ll graduate equipped with a strong set of practical and transferable skills relevant to a broad range of industry sectors and career outcomes.
This double degree combination can strengthen career outcomes in areas such as data analysis, science communication, science policy, science research, environmental science and sustainability.
Depending on your selected areas of study, you may choose to find employment in activism, advertising, advocacy, anti-corruption, astrophysics, biochemistry, biotechnology, consultancy, communications, community development, cultural services, climate change, data analysis, education, environmental sustainability, food processing, forensic science, entertainment, ethics, film distribution, government relations, healthcare, human rights, intelligence and security, mathematics, meteorology and climate modelling, ministerial liaison, NGO/aid work, political campaigning, pathology, public administration, policy development, physicist, scientific research, R&D, stakeholder relations, new media, research and development, writing, and youth work.
Your career may commence with a graduate program or begin with roles such as: activist, advocate, actuary, analyst, assessor, astrophysicist, copywriter, clinician, consultant, executive, officer, diagnostic laboratory scientist, intelligence analyst, journalist, government relations manager, mathematical researcher, medical physicist, NGO/aid worker, pathologist, plant and animal breeder, podcast creator, politician, and scientist researcher.
Alternatively, you may continue onto postgraduate study such as teaching, business, research, media and communication, or writing.
Professional recognition
Depending on the choice of major, or minor studies, graduates of the Bachelor of Science may be eligible to apply for membership of the following professional societies:
AusBiotech
Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics
AustralianComputer Society (ACS)
Australian Institute of Physics
Australian Mathematical Society Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC)
Environmental Health Australia
Environmental Institute of Australia
Genetics Society of AustralAsia (GSA)
National Business Leaders Forum for Sustainable Development
Professionals Australia
Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)
Sustainability Practitioners Association (SPA)
Fees
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.