Understand the molecular basis of life and living systems with extensive practical experience in gene technologies, vaccine development, agriculture, microbiology, environmental sciences and more. Modern biotechnology is based on the application of cutting-edge technologies to target today's most urgent challenges and scientific issues in the areas of human health, adaptation of animals and plants, a changing climate and environment, food shortage, and renewable energy production. This biotechnology program offers a unique combination of the skills and technologies needed to understand the molecular basis of these challenges and how to address them. Technologies include functional genomics, nano- and gene technologies, synthetic biology, molecular biology, lab-on-a-chip technology, environmental biotechnology, microbiology and immunology. This course will stimulate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to help you to be competitive in the rapidly growing and dynamic areas of modern biotechnology. Studies over three years include functional genomics and proteomics, gene technologies (advanced molecular biology), biochemistry, bioinformatics, environmental biotechnology, cell structure and function, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and more. During your final year, you will have the choice of two majors: Molecular Biology or Microbiology. Multiple campuses First year courses take place at the City campus. Second and third year courses run at both the City and Bundoora campuses. Electives and program structure The biotechnology program includes genetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics. As part of the program you will learn about: gene technologies - shifting genes from one thing to another cell and tissue culture functional genomics - relating how a plant or animal reacts to what is going on molecular agriculture - developing new crops bioinformatics - accessing the world’s databases of genetic codes immunology - serological diagnostic tests You’ll also learn about the legal and ethical issues involved in biotechnology. Career Biotechnologists use gene manipulation of plants, animals and micro-organisms to create new biological products for pharmaceutical, agricultural, diagnostic and environmental use. They also develop diagnostic tools to detect diseases rapidly and conduct human stem cell research with the aim of treating or preventing illnesses. There is a wide range of graduate opportunities because of the broad training and flexibility of the program. Graduates are employed in research, diagnosis and technique development in public institutions such as the CSIRO, AQIS, police forensics, research institutes, biosecurity, universities and hospitals and in private industry (areas such as fermentation, food, biotechnology, cell products and vaccines). With experience, graduates have gone on to become state and national leaders and involved in exciting projects such as the sequencing of the human genome. Further study When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate program.