The sequencing of the human genome has further boosted the field. This is a superb opportunity to participate in a growing and important industry. Students will be exposed to a solid grounding in molecular biotechnology including an appreciation of social and ethical implications. Content will include business case studies, ethics and patents, small and large therapeutics, opportunities for medical and veterinary treatments, diagnostic tools, proteomics and bioinformatics. Regular participation by industry partners ensures relevance and access to current areas of emphasis in this rapidly expanding field and allows direct student involvement in industry prior to graduation.
Graduates are likely to be employed in areas that emphasise molecular biotechnology and health care.
Examples include a variety of careers in the biotechnology, medical and health sciences. Students who undertake an honours year can proceed to post graduate research in their chosen field. The degree emphasises applications used in the biotechnology industry and aims to provide a solid foundation for entry into the private sector. The applications for biotechnology are vast, covering areas in health, agriculture, forestry, mining, food processing and aquaculture. Careers could include work in finding improved medicines and pharmaceuticals, vaccines and tests for humans and animals, improved crops or looking at the bioremediation of heavy metals, oils and chemicals for environmental purposes.