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    • MJRU-BIOCH

    Biochemistry

    Undergraduate major

    From forensic science to clinical research, a biochemistry degree can lead to a range of fascinating career paths.

    This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.
    Course outline
    • ATAR

      ATAR

      The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is used to determine eligibility for places in university courses.
      Guaranteed ATAR 70
    • Qualification
      Biochemistry Major (BSc Science)
    • Credit

      Credit

      A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
      600
    Course outline

    Select your preferred degree

    This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

    Course outline
    Biochemistry

    Overview

    Overview

    Biochemists study the molecular structures and processes that form the foundation for living matter.

    In this major, you will study the core principles of chemistry, molecular structure and chemical reactivity, and how they can be applied to biological molecules.

    You will study second- and third-year units in biological, medicinal and natural product chemistry; and complementary units in cell biology, molecular biology and molecular genetics.

    You’ll investigate molecular systems that regulate cell growth, including signalling and defence, and related metabolic pathways.

    You’ll also study molecular recognition and its applications in biosensors, drug design and optimisation, and in monitoring the effects that exogenous compounds can have on living systems.

    You can specialise in either the Chemistry or Environment streams:

    Chemistry

    In this stream you’ll explore how an understanding of the molecular world can influence areas such as bionanotechnology, IT and new biocompatible materials.

    Depending on your interests, you can learn to use sophisticated scientific instrumentation to solve complex, real-world analytical problems, or you can learn how to rationally design and synthesise new molecules for a variety of purposes.

    Environment

    In this stream you’ll gain first-hand knowledge of how biochemistry and molecular biology are implemented in an environmental setting.

    You’ll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in various environmental applications of biochemistry. This includes detecting the biochemical signals of pollution, and conducting genetic sequencing of soil microbial systems to assess the impact of human activity.

    This major sits within the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree.

    See our handbook for more course information. 

    What jobs can the Biochemistry course lead to?

    Careers

    • Biochemist
    • Biotechnologist
    • Forensic scientist
    • Medicinal scientist

    Industries

    • Agriculture
    • Biotechnology
    • Healthcare

    Further study

    • Biotechnologist
    • Environmental Scientist

    What you'll learn

    • apply biochemistry knowledge, principles and concepts
    • apply critical, creative and reflective thinking to biochemistry problems
    • access, evaluate and synthesise information relating to biochemistry
    • effectively communicate biochemistry ideas and concepts
    • use a range of technologies to collect and analyse data
    • work as responsible, self-directed and motivated learners
    • apply internationally accepted scientific conventions, standards and protocols
    • demonstrate respect for cultural diversity in professional life
    • work safely, effectively and ethically in a multifaceted scientific environment

    Why study Biochemistry at Curtin?

    Professional recognition

    As a graduate, you may be eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

    Get the Curtin edge

    Our chemistry stream means you can delve deep into bionanotechnology, IT and biocompatible materials or specialise in the environmental applications of biochemistry.

    Professional recognition and accreditation

    Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    Select an option that best suits you:

    You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

    • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
    • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

    ATAR pathway

    • Guaranteed ATAR 70

      This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

    • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

      Mathematics Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR.

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

      High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

      Mathematics Methods ATAR.

    Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp grants additional ATAR points to help eligible students qualify for admission.

    Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

    Alternative pathways

    • UniReady

      If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

    • Certificate IV + English Competency

      The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    How others gained admission

    View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

    To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

    You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

    You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

    How we define ‘experience’

    ‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

    Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

    Pathways

    • TAFE entry

      • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of Higher English language proficiency is required; or
      • AQF Diploma; or
      • AQF Advanced Diploma

      AND

      • satisfied the prerequisites: Maths Applications and Chemistry.

      The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:

      • Maths Applications ATAR; or
      • MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
      • MATH1005 Pre-Calculus

      The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with:

      • Chemistry ATAR; or
      • CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry, and CHEM1005 Introduction to Biological Chemistry.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

    Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

    Curtin course switcher criteria

    To switch into this course, you need to have met:

    • the admission criteria for minimum entry; and
    • the prerequisites.

    The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:

    • Maths Applications ATAR; or
    • MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
    • MATH1005 Pre-Calculus.

    The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with:

    • Chemistry ATAR; or
    • CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry and CHEM1005 Introduction to Biological Chemistry.

    Higher education course switcher criteria

    To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have met:

    • the admission criteria for minimum entry; and
    • Maths Applications ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Applications ATAR; and
    • Chemistry ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Chemistry ATAR.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Unsure what option suits you?

    We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

    FAQs

    You might find your answer in our frequently asked questions.

    Ask a question

    Submit your question via our online form and we’ll get back to you.

    Call us

    1300 222 888
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Visit us

    You’ll find Curtin Connect in building 102 on the Perth campus.
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Other requirements and notes for this course

    July intake: Course duration may exceed three years due to unit prerequisites.

    In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Submit an enquiry CRL search

    Fees and scholarships

    Please view the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree for indicative fees.

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    Frequently asked questions

    Search our FAQs

    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

      View courses information disclaimer.

    • Curtin course code: MJRU-BIOCH
    • Last updated on: 25 December 2024

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