Bachelor of Biotechnology
Overview
Algal biofuels, drought-resistant crops and bionic eyes may sound like things of the distant future, but these are just some of the projects our biotechnologists are working on today. Biotechnology is a fast-moving field where scientists use living organisms and their products, to solve real-world problems facing modern society. This exciting field has broad applications in medicine, biology, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and engineering.
You will learn the foundations of biology, from genes through to ecology, while examining important questions about ethics and intellectual property. An ANU Bachelor of Biotechnology gives you the knowledge to develop the fuel sources, foods and medical treatments of the future while teaching you to think ethically about how they will change our society.
Combine the Bachelor of Biotechnology with a selected Masters by coursework and enter the workforce with an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification. Most Vertical Double Degrees pathways can be completed in 4 years. View the pathway options here.
Program details
The Bachelor of Biotechnology is a three year degree which means you do not need to nominate any majors or minors as the focus of your studies is inherent in the name. The program also has flexibility to allow you to explore other areas of science in the fields biology, chemistry and neuroscience.
You will have the option of applying for an honours year towards the end of your third year of study.
Key facts
- #1 for Natural Sciences (QS 2024) in Australia
- 3 years full-time
- Semester 1 intake only
- #1 in Australia for graduate employability (Times Higher Education)
Careers
Our Bachelor of Biotechnology graduates are highly sought after by government and industry employers in chemical, plant and agricultural, and medical biotechnology. You may also find positions in hospitals, food and pharmaceutical industries, or continue on to a career in research.
The Australian National University has been ranked as the top university for graduate employability in Australia in the Global University Employability Ranking 2023-24. As a student at ANU, you gain access to the ANU CareerHub – an online career development and employability tool that includes a jobs board and careers resources. You also have access to drop-in chats with a career consultant and to attend our career fairs to meet potential employers.
Dr Kai Chan, plant biologist
After completing his Bachelor of Biotechnology and his PhD at ANU, Dr Chan was named ACT Scientist of the Year. He now leads the Plant Organelle and Cellular Signalling research group at the ANU Research School of Biology.
Learning experience
Take a trip to Japan
A group of ANU students travelled to the University of Tsukuba in Japan to complete a course on biodiversity and biotechnology.
Watch their video blog
Meet two ANU students who have a lot in common
Jiansi and Jianzhen, who share a love of sci-fi films, made a joint decision to leave China and move to Australia.
Read how watching Iron Man brought them to ANUFees & scholarships
Scholarships
Whether you are looking for financial support to start your studies at ANU or help to move away from home for the first time, we have scholarship opportunities for you and your situation.
Key people
Associate Professor Maja Adamska, Program convenor
Maja Adamska is Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow in the Research School of Biology. Her group uses calcareous sponges to gain insight into the evolutionary origin of a variety of key developmental processes, including segregation of germ layers and axial patterning of embryos and adults. Maja is also interested in major transitions in animal evolution, such as emergence of multicellularity and morphological complexity, and their relationship to genomic complexity.
Dr Andras Keszei, First year course convenor
Andras's areas of expertise are Population, Ecological And Evolutionary Genetics, Terrestrial Ecology, Genome Structure And Regulation, Plant Cell And Molecular Biology, Structural Biology (including Macromolecular Modelling), Natural Products Chemistry, Analytical Spectrometry, and Separation Science. He lectures Molecular and Cell Biology.
Andras was awarded the Commendation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning in 2011.
Dr Mark Ellison, First year course convenor
Mark is a senior lecturer and first year Chemistry coordinator in the Research School of Chemistry.
Mark was awarded the Pearson/RACI Centenary of Federation Educator of the year in 2011. He was also awarded a 2012 citation for outstanding contributions to student learning in the Australian Government awards for University Teaching.
How to apply
Understand the how to apply steps
Visit the domestic undergraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.
Domestic undergraduate applicationsUnderstand the how to apply steps
Visit the international undergraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.
International undergraduate applications