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Undergraduate courses

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is an applied, multi-disciplinary science which focuses on developing biologically-based products or processes. Biotechnology applies the techniques and scientific principles of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology and chemical engineering to industry, medicine, agriculture and to the environment. As such, it utilises genetic engineering, fermentation and chemical separation technologies to develop new biological processes of commercial importance.

Biotechnological processes include beer, wine and cheese making; the utilisation of bacteria and algae to produce drugs, hormones, antibiotics and enzymes; the production of diagnostic medical kits and antibodies; the generation of energy through the biodegradation of waste materials; the use of micro-organisms to clean up oil spills or to extract minerals from ores; and the use of genetic engineering to increase agricultural productivity of both plants and animals. Though biotechnology often uses the tools of molecular biology such as genetic engineering, it is unique in that it focuses on the generation of commercial products of benefit to medicine, agriculture and industry.

Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing areas of science. According to Larry Ellison, the Chief Executive of Oracle, one of the largest software and internet companies in the world, the horizons of biotechnology are more extensive than those of computer technology!

The Biotechnology degree at Murdoch University was the first of its kind in Australia. The Bachelor of Science degree can be completed in 3 years; the Honours degree in 4 years.

On campus we host the Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre SABC - one of the largest and most research-active Centres for agricultural biotechnology in Australia. The Centre conducts research into the genetic engineering of crop plants of commercial importance so as to increase their productivity and to enhance their disease-resistance. The Centre also conducts research into animal health again using the techniques of microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. Many of these research projects are available in the SABC as Honours projects for Biotechnology graduates.

Biotechnology is an applied, multi-disciplinary science which focuses on developing biologically-based products or processes. Biotechnology applies the techniques and scientific principles of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology and chemical engineering to industry, medicine, agriculture and to the environment. As such, it utilises genetic engineering, fermentation and chemical separation technologies to develop new biological processes of commercial importance.

Biotechnological processes include beer, wine and cheese making; the utilisation of bacteria and algae to produce drugs, hormones, antibiotics and enzymes; the production of diagnostic medical kits and antibodies; the generation of energy through the biodegradation of waste materials; the use of micro-organisms to clean up oil spills or to extract minerals from ores; and the use of genetic engineering to increase agricultural productivity of both plants and animals. Though biotechnology often uses the tools of molecular biology such as genetic engineering, it is unique in that it focuses on the generation of commercial products of benefit to medicine, agriculture and industry.

Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing areas of science. According to Larry Ellison, the Chief Executive of Oracle, one of the largest software and internet companies in the world, the horizons of biotechnology are more extensive than those of computer technology!

The Biotechnology degree at Murdoch University was the first of its kind in Australia. The Bachelor of Science degree can be completed in 3 years; the Honours degree in 4 years.

On campus we host the Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre SABC - one of the largest and most research-active Centres for agricultural biotechnology in Australia. The Centre conducts research into the genetic engineering of crop plants of commercial importance so as to increase their productivity and to enhance their disease-resistance. The Centre also conducts research into animal health again using the techniques of microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry. Many of these research projects are available in the SABC as Honours projects for Biotechnology graduates.