Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Science (Professional), majoring in Biotechnology, is a four-year professional science degree designed to combine biotechnology theory with practical laboratory learning and substantial industry experience. The Biotechnology major focuses on the intersection of biology and technology, with applications across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, environmental science, business and ethics.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Practical training in laboratory experimentation, biomolecular structures, data analysis and scientific research.
• Study across biotechnology-related areas including chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and statistics.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning as part of the bachelor degree.
• A 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity, carrying academic credit.
• Three industry-linked projects designed to connect academic study with professional scientific environments.
• Development of technical report writing, problem-solving, research and critical data-analysis skills.
• Access to Swinburne's science facilities and laboratory learning from the early stages of the degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Biotechnology major contains eight dedicated major units, supported by science core units, electives and the professional placement component. The published 2026 indicative sequence is as follows. Swinburne notes that unit sequencing can change and students should use their current course planner when enrolling.

Year 1:

• Concepts of Biology — BIO10001
• Preliminary Mathematics or Calculus and Applications — MTH00007 / MTH10012
• Chemistry 1 or Introduction to Chemistry — CHE10001 / CHE10004
• Energy and Motion or Introduction to Physics — PHY10001 / PHY10002
• Sustainability Challenges in Science — NPS10003
• Concepts of Biotechnology — BIO10003
• Elective

Year 2:

• Introduction to Biochemistry — BCH20002
• The Microbial World — BIO20002
• Societal Challenges in Science — NPS20011
• Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins — BCH20001
• Microbes in the Environment — BIO30005
• Electives

Professional placement:

• Work Experience in Industry A — WEI20001
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Science — NPS20003
• Work Experience in Industry B — WEI20002
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Science — NPS20004

Year 4:

• Grand Challenges in Science — NPS30004
• Advanced Biochemistry — BCH30003
• Applications of Bioinformatics — BIO30009
• Molecular Biotechnology — BIO30004
• Electives.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected discipline is:

• Biotechnology

Swinburne also offers other majors within the Bachelor of Scien(Professional), including Applied Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Space Technology.

Important restriction:

• Students who select Biotechnology as their major may not select Biochemistry as a second major. 

Programme Highlights

• 4-year professional Bachelor of Science.
• Biotechnology major focused on biology and technology.
• 375 total credit points.
• Eight dedicated Biotechnology major units.
• Laboratory and practical science learning.
• Three industry-linked projects.
• 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity.
• 100 credit points associated with the professional placement.
• Exposure to biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biotechnology and bioinformatics.
• CRICOS registered course: 095882G.
• Two published 2027 intakes at Hawthorn.
• Swinburne identifies guaranteed Work Integrated Learning across its bachelor degrees.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following potential career opportunities for the Biotechnology major:

• Biotechnology researcher
• Clinical biochemist
• Agricultural or environmental scientist
• Diagnostic laboratory scientist
• Pharmaceutical scientist.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current 2027 start dates are 1 March and 2 August 2027.
• The course currently carries CRICOS code 095882G.
• International Student visa holders studying in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• Biotechnology students undertake laboratory activities involving scientific instruments, chemicals and other potentially hazardous substances. Swinburne's Informed Choices information identifies requirements around safe handling of chemicals and instruments, protective equipment, laboratory participation, professional conduct and scientific reasoning.
• Reasonable adjustments may be possible for certain adaptable components, but some safety-critical activities have limited flexibility.
• Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning are assessed case-by-case.
• The published 2026 course sequence is indicative; unit availability and sequencing can change.

International Student Visa Requirements

The course is CRICOS registered under 095882G and is therefore an eligible CRICOS course for international students, subject to the applicant meeting Australian Student visa requirements.

For the Australian Student visa (subclass 500), students generally need to:

• Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for a full-time CRICOS-registered course.
• Apply for the visa online.
• Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Satisfy the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meet applicable health and character requirements.
• Meet applicable financial-capacity and documentary requirements.
• Meet welfare requirements where the applicant is under 18.
• Comply with all visa conditions during their stay.

Work rights:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Work is generally unlimited when the course is not in session, subject to the visa conditions.
• The special exemption from the 48-hour limit for master's-by-research and doctoral students does not apply to this bachelor's degree.