Bachelor of Molecular Biotechnology

By 2031, the global biotechnology market is expected to be valued at US$53.7 billion – which means over the coming decade, skilled biotech professionals will be more in demand than ever. Students passionate about using science to transform human and environmental outcomes can take their place in this rapidly expanding field.

At its core, biotechnology is about manipulating the cellular and molecular processes of living organisms. With a unique hands-on learning style, UTS Bachelor of Molecular Biotechnology students work at the intersection of emerging technology and medical or environmental science to drive new innovations in human and planetary health.

Why UTS Science?

As one of Australia’s leading university science faculties, UTS Science is committed to scientific advancement that creates a more sustainable world. Our students join a university that delivers global impact in STEM education and research and a faculty that produces scientists with the power to transform the profession.

Course features

  • Complete a series of common core subjects that underpin all undergraduate UTS Science degrees. Data, Design and Decisions and Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues are designed to equip students with a toolkit of technical and workplace skills, preparing them to thrive both at and after uni.
  • Choice of major:
    • Medical Biotechnology: Study the key scientific disciplines that underpin the medical biotech field – molecular biology, microbiology, pharmacology, human genetics, and immunology – with a major that’s all about the application of biotechnology to human health. Students explore specialist subjects in areas like medical devices and bioprocessing and get hands-on with the cutting-edge molecular tools and techniques that define the modern biotech industry. By the time students graduate, they have the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to shape the future of medical diagnosis and treatment.
    • Environmental Biotechnology: This major prepares students to harness biological technologies and methods to address pressing environmental issues, including pollution mitigation, environmental remediation, renewable energy generation, biosecurity, and biomass production. Through a combination of hard science and specialist environmental subjects, graduates emerge ready to contribute to products and processes that preserve and care for our planet.
  • Free electives: Students can customise the degree to suit their personal or career aspirations. Enrol in an international exchange, pursue a professional internship, or tailor the degree with a choice of subjects from any UTS faculty.
  • Cross-disciplinary expertise: UTS Science curriculum goes beyond scientific and technical skills development. With subjects in biobusiness and intellectual property commercialisation, students also explore the commercial and ethical impacts of biotechnology in the world beyond the lab.

Make an enquiry

Course aims

Learn from the leaders in biotechnology

Course content is shaped by research from the acclaimed UTS Climate Change Cluster (C3); the Australian Institute for Microbiology & Infection (AIMI); the School of Life Sciences; and the Deep Green Biotech Hub, a UTS-partnered collaboration that specialises in algal biotechnology and innovation. As well as studying industry-aligned curriculum, students gain access to guest lectures, mentoring and more through UTS’s extensive industry connections. Elsewhere, the faculty’s rapidly expanding professional experience program can connect students with internships in UTS laboratories and in leading medical science organisations in Sydney and beyond*.

*Please note: this is an elective subject. Students must complete a competitive application process to secure a professional placement.

Study in purpose-built facilities

As a university of technology, UTS is known for its commitment to practice-based teaching and the integration of new technologies into course design and development. Students learn in the world-class Hive Superlab and UTS Science Superlab, two tech-driven learning environments that support simultaneous teaching of multiple classes in a single collaborative space. They also have the opportunity to visit the UTS Biologics Innovation Facility, a purpose-built good manufacturing process (GMP) bioprocessing facility where biotechnology comes to life.

Innovation and Transdisciplinary program

Transdisciplinarity and Innovation at UTS

All UTS students have the opportunity to develop distinctive capabilities around transdisciplinary thinking and innovation through the TD School. Transdisciplinary education at UTS brings together great minds from different disciplines to explore ideas that improve the way we live and work in the world. These offerings are unique to UTS and directly translate to many existing and emerging roles and careers.

Diploma in Innovation

The Diploma in Innovation (C20060) teaches innovation, supports personal transformation and provides the hard skills needed to support the inventors and inventions of the future. Students come out of the Diploma in Innovation, with the hard skills to create and support sectoral and societal transformation. Graduates are able to fluently integrate ideas, across professional disciplines and are inventors of the future.

All UTS undergraduate students (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) can apply for the Diploma in Innovation upon admission in their chosen undergraduate degree. It is a complete degree program that runs in parallel to any undergraduate degree. The course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis, with subjects running in 3-week long intensive blocks in July, December and February sessions. More information including a link to apply is available at https://dipinn.uts.edu.au.

Transdisciplinary electives program

Transdisciplinary electives broaden students' horizons and supercharge their problem-solving skills, helping them to learn outside, beyond and across their degrees. Students enrolled in an undergraduate course that includes electives can choose to take a transdisciplinary subject (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation). More information about the TD Electives program is available here.

Emma Davis Biotechnology

[upbeat music, shot of laboratory corridor pans to Emma Dawson in lab coat speaking]

Oh hey, you’re here come on in, my name’s Emma.

[Camera shot fast-forwarded follows Emma into lab]

Text: The Graduate Tour Biotechnology

[Interviewer] Okay so biotechnology- what is that?

[Shot of Emma working in lab]

So biotechnology is the application of biology to a number of different processes that are both industrial and medicinal.

[Interviewer] So if I became a biotechnologist, what exactly would that mean I do?

[Emma speaking while working in lab]

You can do a number of different things; you can work for something like Sydney Water doing waste water management, you could even work for a cheese factory or a brewery, you could even work for a company developing new drugs. Come with me into my lab!

[Camera follows Emma walking through laboratory]

[Interviewer] When you finish studying what do you think you’ll do?

[Emma works in lab, injecting fluid into a vial while responding to question]

So I want to be an independent scientist studying bacteria and all the things that they can do, but my lifelong dream really has always been to open my own science café where I can serve homemade beer and homemade cheese.

[Interviewer] Talking about bacteria, what is something that I probably wouldn’t know?

Actually, something really cool about bacteria is that they can change their shape; do you want to come see?

[Interviewer] Yeah absolutely.

Follow me!

[Camera follows Emma walking through corridors to microscopy room]

Come on in and take a look

[Interviewer] What just stand here?

Yep just look down the microscope

[shot of bacteria]

[Interviewer] So what exactly am I looking at here?

So you’re looking at bacteria changing their shape from something really small, to something that looks like spaghetti

[Interviewer] So why are they changing shape?

So they’re changing their shape so that they can hide from the immune system. It makes you more sick, and makes you sick for longer. Come with me.

[Zoom out from microscope, camera follows Emma to different room in lab]

[Interviewer] Right, so what exactly did you study?

So I studied chemistry in my HSC, but my love for biology didn’t come til I was in my Bachelor of Biotechnology here at UTS

[Interviewer] And what is probably the biggest misconception you think there is about science?

So a big misconception about science is that it is dominated by males. There are plenty of females that succeed and do really well in science, so as long as you’re passionate and determined you can definitely do science.

[Interviewer] All this chatter about bacteria has got me feeling like I want to wash my hands, so I’m going to show myself out.

Definitely, thank you so much.

[camera fast-forwards exiting lab]

Study plan

Typical course programs are shown below.

First year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues 60006 6
Chemistry 1 65111 6
Cell Biology and Genetics 91161 6
Design, Data, and Decisions 33116 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Molecular Biology 91132 6
Chemistry 2 65212 6
Nature and Evolution 91123 6
Human Anatomy and Physiology 91400 6

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
General Microbiology 91314 6
Biotechnology 91142 6
Fundamentals of Pharmacology 91707 6
Transdisciplinary Electives cbk92069 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Applications of Molecular Biology 91178 6
Immunology 91401 6
Human Genetics and Precision Medicine 91822 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Intellectual Property Commercialisation 79006 6
Accounting and Accountability 22108 6

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Electives (Science UG) cbk90232 24
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Medical Biotechnology 91817 6
Bioreactors and Bioprocessing 91368 6
Biobusiness 91369 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Medical Devices and Diagnostics 91705 6
Immunology and Human Health 91180 6
Advanced Medical Biochemistry 91827 6

Honours

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (C09168) is available to eligible students with an additional one year of full-time study.

First year

Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Chemistry 1 65111 6
Human Anatomy and Physiology 91400 6
Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues 60006 6
Nature and Evolution 91123 6

Second year

January Session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Chemistry 2 65212 6
Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Cell Biology and Genetics 91161 6
Biotechnology 91142 6
Transdisciplinary Electives cbk92069 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Human Genetics and Precision Medicine 91822 6
Molecular Biology 91132 6
Medical Biotechnology 91817 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Intellectual Property Commercialisation 79006 6
Accounting and Accountability 22108 6

Third year

January Session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Immunology 91401 6
Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Fundamentals of Pharmacology 91707 6
Design, Data, and Decisions 33116 6
General Microbiology 91314 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Applications of Molecular Biology 91178 6
Bioreactors and Bioprocessing 91368 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Medical Devices and Diagnostics 91705 6
Immunology and Human Health 91180 6
Advanced Medical Biochemistry 91827 6
Biobusiness 91369 6

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Electives (Science UG) cbk90232 24

First year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Chemistry 1 65111 6
Cell Biology and Genetics 91161 6
Design, Data, and Decisions 33116 6
The Biosphere 91107 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Molecular Biology 91132 6
Nature and Evolution 91123 6
Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues 60006 6
Environmental Chemistry 65621 6

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Ecological Genetics 91168 6
General Microbiology 91314 6
Biotechnology 91142 6
Ecology 91154 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Environmental Remediation 91159 6
Transdisciplinary Electives cbk92069 6
Applications of Molecular Biology 91178 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Intellectual Property Commercialisation 79006 6
Accounting and Accountability 22108 6

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Select 18 credit points from the following: 18
Electives (Science UG) cbk90232 24
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Environmental Protection and Management 91145 6
Ocean Systems and Climate Change 91156 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Environmental Biotechnology 91818 6
Bioreactors and Bioprocessing 91368 6
Biobusiness 91369 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives (Science UG) cbk90232 24

First year

Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Chemistry 1 65111 6
Nature and Evolution 91123 6
Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues 60006 6
Cell Biology and Genetics 91161 6

Second year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Design, Data, and Decisions 33116 6
Biotechnology 91142 6
The Biosphere 91107 6
General Microbiology 91314 6
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Environmental Chemistry 65621 6
Bioreactors and Bioprocessing 91368 6
Molecular Biology 91132 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Intellectual Property Commercialisation 79006 6
Accounting and Accountability 22108 6

Third year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Ecology 91154 6
Ecological Genetics 91168 6
Transdisciplinary Electives cbk92069 6
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Electives (Science UG) cbk90232 24
Spring session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Environmental Biotechnology 91818 6
Applications of Molecular Biology 91178 6
Biobusiness 91369 6
Environmental Remediation 91159 6

Fourth year

Autumn session Subject Code Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Select 6 credit points from the following: 6
Environmental Protection and Management 91145 6
Ocean Systems and Climate Change 91156 6
Select 18 credit points from the following: 18
Electives (Science UG) cbk90232 24

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

All students at UTS pay tuition fees to contribute towards the cost of their studies.

In 2024 all offers made to domestic undergraduate students will be for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), which means that the Australian government makes a substantial contribution towards the cost of your education, and you pay the balance through student contributions.

The amount you pay depends on your area of study and the number of credit points (cp) in which you enrol. At UTS 48 credit points is considered to be one Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL).

The table to the right shows the amount a student can expect to pay for one year of full-time study (1.0 EFTSL).

Students can choose to pay their student contribution upfront, or if eligible, can defer their fees through HECS-HELP.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional cost.

You can calculate your student contribution as a percentage of the amounts shown on the table. Fee rates are divided into four bands covering broad discipline areas.  It is important to note that a particular subject within a course may fall within a different band.

For example, if you are enrolled in a 6-credit point Architecture subject, your contribution would be 6/48 x $9,314 = $1,164.

Student contribution amounts for 2025 commencing students

2025 student contribution - Area of StudyAmount for 48 cp
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications and Society and Culture$16,992
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science$13,241
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology$9,314
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture$4,627

International student

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students can be found using tuition fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $1007. The total credit points are 144.


All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

Biotechnology is a global field – and Australia is one of the world’s leading locations for biotech companies. Whether graduates want to work overseas or pursue local opportunities, the UTS Bachelor of Molecular Biotechnology can supercharge their career prospects.

Career options depend on the choice of major:

  • Medical biotechnology: Graduates can develop and deploy new vaccines, diagnostics and medicines for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals, pathology and biomedical firms, universities, and research institutes. Or, design, develop and oversee policy for government and regulatory bodies like the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Environmental biotechnology: Graduates can work in various roles, such as research associate, consultant, field scientist, microbiologist, conservation officer, environment officer or biotechnologist across a wide range of industries, including government or biosecurity agencies. Or, graduates can design, develop and oversee policy for government and regulatory bodies.

Course structure

Course structure explained

Students must complete a total of 144 credit points, made up of 48 credit points of core subjects, a 72-credit-point major and 24 credit points of electives.

Industrial training/professional practice

Students studying this course have an opportunity to undertake an internship subject and receive academic credit for their placement off campus (an external business or research institute) or on campus (UTS research institutes or departments), in a capacity relevant to their academic studies.

Course completion requirements
Requirement Credit Points
CBK92139 Stream Choice (Biotechnology) 144
Total 144

Additional information

Course duration

Students can complete the course over three years of full-time or six years of part-time study. Part-time students are required to attend some classes in daytime hours.

Full time, on campus
Part time, on campus

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Check to see if there are additional admission requirements for this course.

Additional information relating to this course, including the ATAR profile of domestic students who commenced this course in Autumn 2022, is located under UTS' admissions requirements, alongside information relating to the commencing student cohort who were enrolled in this course past the Autumn 2022 census date.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

ATAR and selection ranks

To find out further information regarding ATAR and selection ranks from previous applicants who received an offer to this course, please visit our Admissions Stats Tool

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics; any two units of English; any two units of Science.

Chemistry, Mathematics Extension 1 is recommended.

Year 12 adjustment factor scheme

To see a list of courses where HSC subjects provide adjustment factors, please refer to the Year 12 adjustment factors page.

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For Science students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Science students

UTS: Handbook

See the Bachelor of Molecular Biotechnology in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

Part of Faculty of Science

  • forensic scientists investigating site

    Practice oriented

    Practical experience is key to our teaching and learning as it is essential to take you further in your career.

  • UTS superlab interior

    Facilities

    One of the best science facilities in Australia, where student work in advanced labs similar to commercial labs.

  • man and woman interview at a desk by the window

    Careers and employment

    Find out about all the exciting careers and employment opportunities that exist for students studying Science.

  • Female scientist researcher in lab

    Research intensive

    Work with the best, UTS is one of only 3 Australian universities to receive a 'well above world standard' rating from ERA.

  • UTS students looking at an iPad

    News and Events

    Featuring interesting news stories and all upcoming events at UTS Science.
     

Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens an external site)

UAC code(s): 607045 (Autumn session, Spring session)

Make a note of the relevant UAC code before starting the UAC application.

Intake

Summer Session 2024
Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025

Important dates

NOVEMBER 2024
1
Closing date for change of preferences (November Round 1)
8
UAC offers released (November Round 1)
14
Closing date for change of preferences (November Round 2)
21
UAC offers released (November Round 2)
28
Closing date for change of preferences (December Round 1)
DECEMBER 2024
5
UAC offers released (December Round 1)
18
UTS Info Day
18
Closing date for change of preferences (December Round 2)
23
UAC offers released (December Round 2)
JANUARY 2025
2
Closing date for change of preferences (January Round 1)
9
UAC offers released (January Round 1)
16
Closing date for change of preferences (January Round 2)
23
UAC offers released (January Round 2)
30
Closing date for change of preferences (February Round 1)
FEBRUARY 2025
3 - 14
Autumn session orientation
6
UAC offers released (February Round 1)
7
Closing date for change of preferences (February Round 2)
13
UAC offers released (February Round 2)
17
Autumn session commences (main calendar)
27
Closing date for change of preferences (March Round 1)
MARCH 2025
3
Last day to enrol for Autumn session
6
UAC offers released (March Round 1)
20
Autumn census date – last day to withdraw from subjects or apply for leave of absence

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Science students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Science students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

Important dates

Visit the UTS Handbook for full academic dates. Visit essential information for international students for the application closing dates.

How to apply

International applicants can apply to study through UTS International.

International applicants who are currently doing:

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside Australia
  • an International Baccalaureate, or
  • a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3

can apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens external site).

Intake

Summer Session 2024
Autumn Session 2025
Spring Session 2025

Apply online

Download an application form

Need more information?

Ask a question

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For Science students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For Science students

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.