Courses

You are here
  • Home
  • Courses
  • Bachelor of Science (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management)

Bachelor of Science (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management)

On this page

The Bachelor of Science (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management) course offers specialisations in the three science disciplines listed below:

  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology & Environmental Management

Students can choose to specialise in one or two of these science disciplines. This is a three year course with a common first year and a choice of sub-specialisations in the latter two years that allows students the flexibility to add other studies of interest to their specialisation. Sub-specialisations can be chosen from health, engineering, science, arts, business and law. Sub-specialisations are subject to the approval of the course coordinator and may be limited by prerequisite requirements and timetable clashes. Science sub-specialisations are listed below.

  • analytical chemistry
  • cell biology/microbiology
  • community science
  • computing
  • environmental science
  • environmental assessment & analysis
  • forensic chemistry
  • mathematics/statistics
  • molecular biology

Course Essentials

  • Location:
  • Other locations:

    Year 1: Footscray Park campus. Year 2 & 3: Biotechnology and Chemistry specialisations: Werribee campus. Ecology & Environmental Management specialisation: St. Albans campus.

  • College:
    College of Engineering and Science
  • Study mode:
    Full Time and Part Time
  • Delivery mode:
    On campus
  • Course code:
    SBSC
  • Duration:
    3 years
  • This information is for Australian residents.

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course. Applications close on 25 January 2013

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Please note that part-time study may not be available at all campuses.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Engineering and Science

Back to top

Careers

The Bachelor of Science (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management) will produce graduates with a thorough knowledge of contemporary science for careers in industry, government and education. The flexibility of the course allows students to customise their learning towards current and future career demands.

Biotechnology graduates pursue careers in a variety of areas including medical and pharmaceutical research, forensic science, agriculture and aquaculture, the food and beverage industry and education.

Industries that employ our chemistry graduates include: agricultural chemicals, brewing and wine, chemical analysis, cosmetics, dairy, environmental science and water, food, forensics, horticulture, industrial chemicals, materials and polymers, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical, scientific sales, state and federal government departments.

Careers in ecology and environmental management include: landcare/bushcare coordinator; environment officer or environmental planner; restoration ecology and land management officer; marine and freshwater ecosystem management officer; environmental educator; botanist/zoologist/ecologist and ecological and resource assessor.

The course has been designed in collaboration with the School of Education and the science units offered provides pathways for students to pursue maths/science teaching. To qualify for teaching in secondary schools graduates from the BSc (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management) must apply for and complete the Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Kirby Smith

Making waves with her research on sharks

Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Sustainability
Honours thesis: ...

Read more
Back to top

Course Objectives

The Bachelor of Science (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management) will produce graduates with a thorough knowledge of contemporary science for careers in industry, government and education.

The selection of specialisations and sub-specialisations offered allows students the flexibility to customise their learning towards current and future career demands.

Via various learning in the workplace and community strategies the course will make graduates 'work ready'.

The course allows students wishing to pursue maths/science teaching via the Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, a number of possibilities with respect to obtaining parts, sub-majors and majors in maths/science teaching specialist areas.

Graduates from this course should be able to:

  • locate, manage and use scientific information efficiently and effectively
  • solve scientific problems effectively in a range of settings including industry and community
  • exhibit high levels of numeracy skills in a range of scientific settings
  • communicate effectively in spoken and written forms on a range of scientific and mathematical topics to professional and community groups
  • apply an evidence-based research approach to a chosen area of science
  • respond with social and cultural awareness within local and global environments
  • work autonomously and collaboratively as a professional in both industry and community settings.
Back to top

Units and electives

To graduate with the SBSC Bachelor of Science (Specialisations in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Environmental Management) students must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Successfully complete units of study totalling at least 288 credit points.
  • A minimum of 240 credit points in approved units must be taken from the Faculty of Health, Engineering & Science.
  • A maximum of 48 credit points in approved units can be taken from either the Faculty of Arts, Education & Human Development or the Faculty of Business & Law.
  • Successfully complete either of the following specialisation and sub-specialisation combinations.

Common Year 1

96 credit points

+

Specialisation

96 credit points

+

Specialisation

96 credit points

or

Common Year 1

96 credit points

+

Specialisation

96 credit points

+

Sub-specialisation

48 credit points

+

Sub-specialisation

48 credit points

  • Units of study at the third year level totalling at least 48 credit points.
  • Successfully complete in Year 3 the compulsory unit of study RSS3000 INDUSTRY PROJECT (12 credit points) taken in a chosen specialisation.

Semester One

Semester Two

List A: Specialisations

Biotechnology Specialisation

Year 2

Semester One

Choose Year 2 sem 1 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 2 sem 1 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Semester Two

Choose Year 2 sem 2 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 2 sem 2 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Year 3

Choose RSS3000 Industry Project in one Specialisation in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Choose other units to the value of 36 credit points in semesters 1 and 2 from that Specialisation in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Semester One

Choose Year 3 sem 1 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 3 sem 1 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Semester Two

Choose Year 3 sem 2 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 3 sem 2 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Chemistry Specialisation

Year 2

Semester One

Choose Year 2 sem 1 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 2 sem 1units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Semester Two

Choose Year 2 sem 2 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 2 sem 2 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Year 3

Choose RSS3000 Industry Project in one Specialisation in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Choose other units to the value of 36 credit points in semesters 1 and 2 from that Specialisation in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Semester One

Choose Year 3 sem 1 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 3 sem 1 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Semester Two

Choose Year 3 sem 2 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 3 sem 2 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Ecology & Environmental Management Specialisation

Year 2

Semester One

Choose Year 2 sem 1 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 2 sem 1 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Semester Two

Choose Year 2 sem 2 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 2 sem 2 units of two Sub-specialisation from List B

Year 3

Choose RSS3000 Industry Project in one Specialisation in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Choose other units to the value of 36 credit points in semesters 1 and 2 from that Specialisation in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Semester One

Choose Year 3 sem 1 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 3 sem 1 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

Semester Two

Choose Year 3 sem 2 units of another Specialisation from List A

Or

Choose Year 3 sem 2 units of two Sub-specialisations from List B

List B: *Sub-specialisations

Molecular Biology

Year 2

Year 3

Cell Biology/Microbiology

Year 2

Year Three

Analytical Chemistry

Year Two

Year Three

Forensic Chemistry

Year Two

Or

Year Three

Community Science

Year Two

Year Three

Computing

Year Two

Year Three

Environmental Science

Year Two

Year Three

Environmental Assessment and Analysis

(For Ecology & Environmental Management Specialisation students only)

Year Two

Year Three

Mathematics/Statistics

Year Two

Year Three

*Other sub-specialisations may be chosen from the Faculty of Health, Engineering & Science, Faculty of Arts, Education & Human Development or Faculty of Business & Law in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Back to top

Admission Information

  • Year 12:

    To qualify for admission to the course, an applicant must have successfully completed a course of study at year 12 or equivalent.

    Year 12 Prerequisites:   Units 3 and 4 - study score of at least 20 in English (any) and in mathematics (any).

    Selection Mode: Current year 12 applicants: ATAR and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%.

    Middle-band: Completing biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics or specialist mathematics = an aggregate 3 points higher per study, to a maximum 9 points.

    Applicants who have not completed Year 12 but who possess appropriate educational qualifications work or life experiences which would enable them to successfully undertake the course will be considered for admission. Students who successfully complete the Victoria University Alternative Entry or Foundations Studies courses will be offered access into the course. Further information on how to apply for courses at Victoria University can be found at www.vu.edu.au/future-students.

  • Other:

    Community science units of study include placements within schools and other community settings.

    Police check: Students may be required to complete a National Police Record Check prior to undertaking Community Science units of study.

    Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking Community Science units of study.

Special admission requirements

Community science units of study include placements within schools and other community settings.

Police check: Students may be required to complete a National Police Record Check prior to undertaking Community Science units of study.

Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking Community Science units of study.

Back to top

How to apply for this course

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

You can apply direct to VU. Applications close on 25 January 2013.

When you're ready to apply:

  1. Read the Advice to applicants (contains details about how to apply for your course, extra requirements, what happens when you submit your application and other important information).
  2. Complete the Higher education direct entry application form.
  3. As part of the application you may need to complete extra requirements such as:
    • submit supplementary forms
    • attend an interview, audition, information session or workshop
    • submit a folio
    • sit a test

Details about extra requirements are available from the College of Engineering and Science.

You need to complete all extra requirements by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered.

Transferring between VU courses

Want to transfer into this course from another VU course? Complete the Victoria University internal course application form and check whether you need to complete any extra requirements, listed above.

You can also contact us directly:

  • Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100
  • Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

At Victoria University, we make every reasonable effort to make sure the information displayed online about our courses is accurate and complete. We continually look to provide innovative courses. Those courses are shaped by a number of things including your feedback and changes in Government funding arrangements. As a result there may be changes to the courses we deliver and fees charged. We will update the website regularly to reflect any changes.

Information about course fees, articulation and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations, and services available to students can be accessed on the University’s website or by contacting the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100.

Back to top