Biotechnology

Biotechnology is at the forefront of the knowledge economy. In its broadest sense, it is the commercial exploitation of living organisms or their components.

Traditionally, these technologies have encompassed industrial microbiology and dealt with ancient processes such as the brewing industries or the microbial production of cheese, beer, vinegar and yoghurt. In the last few years there has been a new avalanche of genetic and protein information that has become available with equally impressive advances in transgenic and animal cloning technologies. In this light, biotechnology has broadened its scope and is poised to make significant impacts on our health, nutrition and how we interact with our environment. Biotechnology embraces the new plant and animal transgenic technologies, and the recombinant DNA techniques now used routinely to introduce precise and specific improvements in microbial systems.

The undergraduate programme places emphasis on a strong grounding in the biological and engineering basis of biotechnology, as well as the new technologies. Instruction is provided in the areas of fermentation technology, aspects of medical technology, down-stream processing and protein purification. In addition, the specialisation also includes courses in managing technology and a wider appreciation of the social, legal and ethical place of biotechnology in society.

As a biotechnology student you can join the vibrant entrepreneurial culture at this University — there are various student-led initiatives such as Spark (www.spark.auckland.ac.nz) and Chiasma (www.chiasma.auckland.ac.nz) to get involved with. The Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology, located on the City Campus, provides the opportunity to network with various innovative biotechnology companies which are located on site.

The BTech - Biotechnology is a set programme of study. Courses in Parts I - IV must be passed to complete. Please note: if you commenced this programme before 2012 you should still enrol in the courses below to meet the degree requirements.

Part I

• 120 points:
  • BIOSCI 101 Essential Biology: From Genomes to Organisms
  • BIOSCI 106 Foundations of Biochemistry
  • BIOSCI 107 Biology for Biomedical Science: Cellular Processes and Development
  • CHEM 110 Chemistry of the Living World
  • MEDSCI 142 Biology for Biomedical Science: Organ Systems
  • PHYSICS 160 Physics for the Life Sciences
  • SCIGEN 201 Managing Science and Technology
  • STATS 101 or 108 Introduction to Statistics

Part II

• 105 points: BIOSCI 201 - 205, 209, BUSINESS 305
• 15 points from approved General Education courses

Part III

• 60 points: BIOSCI 350, BIOSCI 351, BUSINESS 306, INNOVENT 303
• 15 points from BIOSCI 347, 348, 352
• 15 points from BIOSCI 354, MEDSCI 314
• 15 points from BIOSCI 353, 340
• 15 points from approved General Education courses

Part IV

• 75 points: BIOSCI 741, BTECH 430, 432
• 30 points from BIOSCI 752, BIOSCI 755, 756, 758
• 15 points from complementary courses

See the online Calendar for course descriptions

Then log in to Student Services online to view a class timetable

This programme of study provides an appropriate academic background for a professional career in the traditional and emerging biotechnology industries. Standards are high but career prospects are excellent.

Graduates are likely to qualify for technical and research assistant positions within fundamental and applied research positions in Crown Research Institutes and Universities, Biotechnology companies, the brewing, dairy and other traditional fermentation industries, pharmaceutical manufacturers as well as diagnostic facilities in medicine and agriculture. Recently employment has been gained with companies such as Comvita, Coda Therapeutics, Fonterra, In Vitro Technologies, AstraZeneca, Protemix Corporation and ICP Bio.

For further information, refer to the Bachelor of Technology Handbook.

Dr Kerry Loomes
Biotechnology Coordinator
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88372
Email: k.loomes@auckland.ac.nz

Science Student Centre
Ground Floor, Building 301, 23 Symonds Street
Science Centre
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88199
Email: scifac@auckland.ac.nz

• How to apply
  
• General Education requirements for undergraduates