Biotechnology
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Graduate Certificate of Science
• Master of Science (Biotechnology)
What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is a term used to describe the applications of biological processes and living organisms in engineering, agriculture, medicine, industrial technology, environmental management, renewable energy sources and many other fields. For example it may involve plant or animal tissue culture, genetic manipulation of microorganisms, breeding of improved crop and domestic animal species, the development of improved pharmaceuticals and vaccines, the production of better quality foods, the application of bio-informatics or the bio-remediation of wastes.
Career opportunities
Our undergraduate Bachelor of Science program provides an avenue for students to learn the fundamental biological processes that underlie the practices of Biotechnology. The Master of Science (Biotechnology) provides graduates from life sciences programs with advanced knowledge in the various applications of biotechnology in agriculture, bioinformatics, biomedical sciences, environmental biotechnology, industrial production, and research. This postgraduate degree is available in either on-campus or external mode. Master of Science (Biotechnology) graduates may expect to find employment in a wide range of private industries, with small highly-focussed biotechnology companies, with large multinational pharmaceutical, agricultural and food companies, with government departments or with public research and education providers such as universities.
Research
Candidates in the Master of Science (Biotechnology) will undertake training in investigative techniques and will receive a sound knowledge base suitable for those wishing to proceed to advanced research-based studies. USQ staff teaching into the Biotechnology discipline are engaged in a range of active research programs (many in collaboration with industrial partners) in which research Masters and PhD level studies are available. Biotechnology staff are associated with the Centre for Systems Biology and the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments.