Harness nature’s potential  

Biotechnology focuses on biology and technology, leading to the development of new products for feeding, fuelling and healing the world. This might include vaccine, antibiotic or hormone production and genetic modification.

It’s a fast-evolving industry with huge potential for improving global health and wellbeing. When we modify living things, all sorts of marvels become possible.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Biotechnology combines traditional science with aspects of engineering and computer science. You will:  

• give your experimentation meaning as you learn how to take your discoveries from the lab to the market and the broader community
• delve into areas like drug development, gene therapy or the identification of biomarkers for cancers
• learn how to produce food, drugs and other products
• study alongside research-active experts
• explore molecular, genetic, animal and plant biology
• discover microbial biotechnology and bioprocess engineering
• consider social and ethical issues, patents and waste management.

Where could it take you?

You could concoct world-changing pharmaceutical drugs in the lab. You might work to clone animals. Perhaps you’ll aid in the development and implementation of modern techniques for disease prediction and treatment.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte. You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.

Level I courses provide strong foundations in chemistry, biology, biotechnology applications and bioprocess engineering principles. Core courses at levels 2 and 3 cover important topic areas, such as molecular biology, molecular and structural biochemistry, microbiology, bioseparations and downstream processing, fermentation, bioinformatics, bioprocess economics, bioprocess design and scale-up, intellectual property, regulatory issues, waste management and bioremediation.

Areas of Specialisation

• Molecular Biotechnology

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


The Bachelor of Biotechnology helps you find a career in: 

• biomedical biotechnology, medical diagnostics and vaccine discovery

• development of genetically modified organisms

• ethics and regulatory organisations

• innovative and laboratory research science

• management of biotechnology industries and enterprises

• patent law (with appropriate qualifications)

• pharmaceutical industries

• plant and animal breeding and improvement

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Students may have the opportunity to undertake international study opportunities, such as investigating biotechnology in Seoul, Korea.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Laboratory Manager;  Life Scientist;  Medical Scientist;  Molecular Biology;  Biochemist;  Bioinformatics;  Biotechnology;  Pharmaceutical Scientist;  Plant Biotechnologist;  Public Health Scientist ...

Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject.

IELTS: Overall 6.5 (Reading 6, Listening 6, Speaking 6, Writing 6); TOEFL: Internet-based: Total score of 79 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, 18 in Speaking and 13 in Reading and Listening; TOEFL Paper-based: Total score of 577 with a minimum of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE); Pearsons: Overall 58 (Reading 50, Listening 50, Speaking 50, Writing 50); Cambridge: Overall 176 (Reading 169, Listening 169, Speaking 169, Writing 169).