Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Biotechnology (HSCIE) is a four-year, on-campus degree at Adelaide City Campus, combining traditional biological science with engineering and computer science approaches to move discoveries from the lab toward real-world products such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels and genetically modified crops.

The first two years cover molecular, genetic, animal and plant biology alongside microbial technology and bioprocess engineering, building on common first-year science courses shared across the wider Bachelor of Science (Honours) program (which also offers majors including Chemistry, Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Geology, Physics and around two dozen other science specialisations). Biotechnology-specific coursework includes principles of biotechnology, molecular and structural biology, the molecular basis of cancer, and biomedical science practical skills. Third year adds a work-integrated learning component — either a research project or an industry placement — giving students at least 80 hours of applied, professional experience.

The fourth and final Honours year is research-focused: students complete an honours thesis under academic supervision alongside further specialised coursework, both deepening their expertise and providing a direct pathway into postgraduate research at Master's or PhD level. Career outcomes span biomedical research (including cancer and infectious disease work), development of biotechnology-based products, and food science/nutrition testing, with graduates commonly moving into roles as biotechnologists or life scientists.