Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)
Overview
Pioneer new frontiers in health, agriculture, science, engineering and beyond.
Open up pathways to further research, postgraduate study options and exciting career opportunities by completing an additional year of honours study.
The Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) program provides an opportunity to pursue an independent research project in one of the following fields of study:
- Chemical and Nano Biotechnology
- Medical Biotechnology
- Molecular and Microbial Biotechnology
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Synthetic Biology and Industrial Biotechnology.
You'll be guided by researchers who are at the frontier of emerging research fields in biotechnology.
The program will prepare you for a wide variety of employment opportunities in Australia’s thriving life sciences sector, including the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, medical and agricultural technology industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by enrolling in a higher degree by research program.
Program highlights
- Tailor your studies to your interests and career goals with a flexible program that gives you the freedom to follow your scientific and entrepreneurial passion.
- Access world-class laboratory, research and computer facilities to gain hands-on experience.
- Set yourself up for a career in the expanding biotech industry. Australia has more than 850 companies in sectors including health, agriculture, chemical, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, law and commerce.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Chemical and Nano Biotechnology
- Medical Biotechnology
- Molecular and Microbial Biotechnology
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Work placements
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
- Seminars
- Workshops
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Honours Research Project
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Research officer
- Bioprocess scientist
- Quality control manager
- Biochemist
- Research scientist
- Microbiologist
- Cancer researcher
- Trial coordinator
- Lecturer
Graduate salary
Science and mathematics (undergraduate)
compared.edu.au
Next steps after graduation
Your high-level knowledge and technical skills will be relevant to a range of modern biotechnologies.
Careers in biotechnology span many industrial and service sectors, including health, agriculture, diagnostics, environment, forestry, law and commerce.
With more than 850 companies operating in the growing Australian biotechnology industry, you’ll be well placed for roles in:
- agricultural industries (in areas such as plant breeding and engineering)
- chemical companies (in areas such as nanotechnology and biosensor applications, and developing drug leads)
- diagnostic companies (undertaking diagnostic test design, development and production)
- government agencies (as a technology analyst or commercialisation officer)
- legal and consulting companies (as a business plan analyst)
- pharmaceutical companies (in areas such as drug design and development or pharmaceutical production, as well as research institutes, universities or industry)
- venture capital companies
- start-up ventures.
Alternatively, you can use this qualification to further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by enrolling in a higher degree by research program.
I enjoyed learning the science behind biological mechanisms and working with the plants in the glasshouses on campus knowing that I can have a real, positive impact on agriculture.
I particularly loved the visits to research centres outside UQ. I learned about research institutions and private industries I could work for. I also liked the enriching research culture at UQ and the opportunities to get quality experience working alongside researchers and academics.
I enjoyed learning the science behind biological mechanisms and working with the plants in the glasshouses on campus knowing that I can have a real, positive impact on agriculture.
I particularly loved the visits to research centres outside UQ. I learned about research institutions and private industries I could work for. I also liked the enriching research culture at UQ and the opportunities to get quality experience working alongside researchers and academics.
Events
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7 April
International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program
30 June
Queensland Biology Winter School, Year 11
Stories
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
- a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale, and
- a GPA of at least 4.5 for 8 units of courses at level 3 or higher relevant to the honours project, and
- have secured an honours project and supervisor, and
- satisfied any additional requirements set by the head of school.
Prerequisites
- a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale, and
- a GPA of at least 4.5 for 8 units of courses at level 3 or higher relevant to the honours project, and
- have secured an honours project and supervisor, and
- satisfied any additional requirements set by the head of school.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
You'll design, implement and present your project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
Specialising in agricultural biotechnology can open up a vast array of career opportunities within:
- agriculture and food manufacturing (plant breeding, engineering, cropping and horticulture)
- animal health industries (vaccine development)
- genetic improvement and breeding (plant and livestock)
- government bodies, including those associated with quarantine and agriculture
- primary industries or government departments
- agricultural advisory boards.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of chemical and nano biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
You'll design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
Access world-class laboratory, research and computer facilities to gain hands-on experience in gene editing, recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics and genomics.
Growing demand for nanotechnology expertise is creating exciting new jobs in a number of industries. You'll be equipped for a wide range of opportunities in the biotechnology, materials science, engineering, technology, renewable energy or pharmaceutical industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of medical biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
Design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing a methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
You will be equipped to work at the forefront of biomedical science and the biotechnology industry.
Alternatively, continue into a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program or further your research ambitions by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of molecular and microbial biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
You'll design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing a methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
Access world-class laboratory, research and computer facilities to gain hands-on experience in gene editing, recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics and genomics.
Specialising in molecular and microbial biotechnology will prepare you for employment opportunities in Australia’s thriving life sciences sector, which includes the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, medical and agricultural technology industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of synthetic and industrial biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
You'll design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing a methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
You will be equipped to translate discoveries from the laboratory into the development of new products, technologies or research implemented across the globe.
Specialising in synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology will prepare you for employment opportunities in Australia’s thriving life sciences sector, which includes the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, medical and agricultural technology industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
You'll design, implement and present your project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
Specialising in agricultural biotechnology can open up a vast array of career opportunities within:
- agriculture and food manufacturing (plant breeding, engineering, cropping and horticulture)
- animal health industries (vaccine development)
- genetic improvement and breeding (plant and livestock)
- government bodies, including those associated with quarantine and agriculture
- primary industries or government departments
- agricultural advisory boards.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of chemical and nano biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
You'll design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
Access world-class laboratory, research and computer facilities to gain hands-on experience in gene editing, recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics and genomics.
Growing demand for nanotechnology expertise is creating exciting new jobs in a number of industries. You'll be equipped for a wide range of opportunities in the biotechnology, materials science, engineering, technology, renewable energy or pharmaceutical industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of medical biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
Design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing a methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
You will be equipped to work at the forefront of biomedical science and the biotechnology industry.
Alternatively, continue into a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program or further your research ambitions by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of molecular and microbial biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
You'll design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing a methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
Access world-class laboratory, research and computer facilities to gain hands-on experience in gene editing, recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics and genomics.
Specialising in molecular and microbial biotechnology will prepare you for employment opportunities in Australia’s thriving life sciences sector, which includes the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, medical and agricultural technology industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Take on an independent research project in the field of synthetic and industrial biotechnology under the guidance of leading researchers.
You'll design, implement and present your research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing a methodology, undertaking appropriate collection and analysis of data, and drawing defensible conclusions.
You will be equipped to translate discoveries from the laboratory into the development of new products, technologies or research implemented across the globe.
Specialising in synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology will prepare you for employment opportunities in Australia’s thriving life sciences sector, which includes the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food, medical and agricultural technology industries.
Alternatively, further your research ambitions and make significant contributions to knowledge by continuing into a higher degree by research program.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$9,870
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$9,870
2025
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $53,760
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $53,760
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) is 2457.
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) is 2457.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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