Biochemistry and molecular biology

Why study Biochemistry and molecular biology?

Biochemistry and molecular biology are where biology and chemistry meet. Study cell and molecular biology, disease, cell death and ageing, immunology, biotechnology, DNA and protein chemistry, metabolism, and drug and vaccine development, in courses with high levels of practical training. Biochemistry and molecular biology can be taken as a major in the Bachelor of Biological Sciences or studied as part of many other science degress.

Students have access to some of the best teaching and research facilities in the world with the construction of a new $94 million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) building. LIMS focuses on training researchers to turn molecular science, biotechnology and nanotechnology research into medical solutions.

The University's strength in research in this area is demonstrated by the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ratings. In Biochemistry and Cell Biology, La Trobe was one of two universities whose research output was rated well above world standard (achieving the maximum score of 5).

Career opportunities

Graduates are prepared for careers in many aspects related to biomedical research, molecular cell biology and biotechnology.

Courses

Local students

Biochemistry and molecular biology courses
Offer yearCourse titleCampus(es)DurationSemester starts
2013 Bachelor of Biological Sciences (Advanced Science) Melbourne
3 years full-time or up to 6 years part-time. Semester 1 (March)

Bachelor of Biological Sciences (Advanced Science) continued…

Course description
This course is designed for those intending to pursue a career in biology research and development in universities, government, or private institutions. It features limited class sizes, a project-management environment, provision of postgraduate mentors, a seminar program presented by international researchers, and the development of research-based communication and presentation skills. In addition, it aims to provide valuable leading-edge research experience, undertaking a portion of each year's laboratory component as a research team member in active research laboratories under the supervision of a staff research group.

Students can access the Faculty's industry experience and student support programs.

Work has commenced on the $288-million Centre for AgriBioscience and the $94-million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science. Once completed, these Centres will expand laboratory facilities as well as teaching and research opportunities for La Trobe's science students.
Prerequisite
VCE Units 3 & 4: English (any).
NSW HSC: English.
Extra requirements
Guaranteed Entry (Year 12 applicants only): applicants with an ATAR of 90 or above receive a first-round offer; those with lower ATARs are considered through normal selection processes.

Non-Year 12 selection may be based on ATAR, VTAC Personal History online, GPA, STAT Multiple Choice.

Non-Year 12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History online if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.

For more information about VTAC Personal History online please visit our Extra Requirements page.
Selection
ATAR (2013)
Melbourne: 86

Middle band
Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods (either), Specialist Mathematics, or Physics facilitates an additional 1.5 aggregate points per study, to a maximum of 3 points. Performance in prerequisite studies is also considered.
Fee type
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Additional costs
Depending on the subjects chosen, extra costs can include a laboratory coat - about A$30 - and a dissecting kit - about A$40. Students can purchase these items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. Additional costs for field trips - food, accommodation, travel - may also apply.
Additional information
Students performing well in the Bachelor of Biological Sciences (normally achieving an average of 80% or more in a year) are eligible to transfer to this program.
How to apply
VTAC
Full course details
Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es):
Biological Sciences (Advanced Science)Melbourne
2013 Bachelor of Bioscience Melbourne
Albury-Wodonga
3 years full-time Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)

Bachelor of Bioscience continued…

Course description
This degree is designed for students who want to pursue a career in biology. It offers you the flexibility to choose from a range of specialisations within the discipline of biology. It prepares graduates to address big issues such as protecting native forests and grasslands, discovering new medicinal cures or sustainable agricultural practices, and mapping the genome of endangered species.

The first year of this course includes foundation studies to prepare you for study, and introduces you to a wide range of discipline areas in biology. In years two and three you will specialise in your area of interest, allowing you to graduate with up to two majors. You can choose from specialised or broad majors depending on your interests and the set of skills you wish to develop for your career.

Prerequisite
Units 1 and 2 - two units (any combination) from science (any), mathematics (any), geography, health & human development, information technology or physical education or Units 3 and 4 - science (any), mathematics (any), geography, health & human development, information technology or physical education. Units 3 and 4 - English (any).
Extra requirements
Current Year 12 students will be selected based on ATAR and a two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%.

NONY12 form: Applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History online if they wish for other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include relevant work or community experience or your reasons for applying. You may wish to provide other documentation in support of your application.

Test (some applicants): Applicants as described in the Admissions Tests section must complete the STAT Multiple Choice.

For more information about VTAC Personal History online please visit our Extra Requirements page.
Selection
ATAR (2013)
Melbourne: 75.9
Albury-Wodonga: 62.1
Middle band
Completing any biology, chemistry, mathematics (any) or physics = 1.5 aggregate points higher per study, for a maximum of 3 points. Performance in prerequisite studies will be considered. In addition, re-ranking is also based on criteria associated with the La Trobe University Rural and Regional Student Access Scheme (RRSAS).
Fee type
Commonwealth Supported Places subject to competitive selection; full fee places are also available
Fee amount
TBC
Additional costs
It will cost students approximately A$100 for basic equipment. Students will need to purchase basic equipment like a dissection kit, laboratory coat and laboratory manuals for some subjects (laboratory manuals can also be borrowed from the library). Students can purchase these items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. No uniform needed.
Additional information
Year 1 of biochemistry, botany, ecology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology and zoology can be undertaken at Albury-Wodonga and then students transfer to the Melbourne campus to complete years 2 and 3, while year 1 of freshwater ecology can be undertaken at Melbourne and then students transfer to the Albury-Wodonga campus to complete years 2 and 3, if they wish to complete a major in these areas of study.
How to apply
Apply through VTAC or UAC.
Full course details
Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es):
BioscienceMelbourne
BioscienceAlbury-Wodonga
2013 Bachelor of Science Albury-Wodonga
Bendigo
Melbourne
3 years full-time, or up to 6 years part-time Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)

Bachelor of Science continued…

Course description
This degree is a building block for a multitude of careers, because it gives students an internationally-recognised broad grounding in many areas of science, providing a foundation which can lead to specialised postgraduate studies or a range of careers.

La Trobe offers a highly flexible degree structure, with 14 subject areas to choose from, as well as the opportunity to include subjects from other faculties as part of your degree. Because La Trobe has strong links to industry, students routinely enjoy guest lectures and work placement opportunities with leading government and research organisations as well as volunteering opportunities which will help build students' CVs. Students can also access a wide range of support programs within the faculty, making transition to university much less challenging.

La Trobe is one of the fastest-growing science research organisations in Australia, with the completion of AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience a $288 million public private partnership with the Victorian government and La Trobe University, and the construction of the $94-million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) at the Melbourne campus. These Centres are expanding laboratory facilities as well as teaching and research opportunities for La Trobe's science students.
Please note that students who enrol in the first year of this degree at the Albury-Wodonga campus must transfer to the Melbourne campus to complete the degree.
Prerequisite
VCE Units 3 & 4: English (any) and mathematics (any).

NSW HSC: Band 2 Mathematics and satisfy English requirements.
Extra requirements
Non-Year 12 selection may involve: ENTER/ATAR, VTAC Personal History online, GPA, STAT Multiple Choice.

Non-Year 12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History online if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process. This may include information such as work experience or reasons for applying. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application. They may also be asked to complete a Maths test.

For more information about VTAC Personal History online please visit our Extra Requirements page.

Applicants through UAC may need to complete the La Trobe Alternative Category form, available at: www.latrobe.edu.au/studadmin/aw/downloads/Altentry.pdf
Selection
ATARs (2013)
Melbourne: 70
Bendigo: 64.5
Albury-Wodonga: 61.45
Middle band
Successful completion of Chemistry, Physics, or Specialist Mathematics facilitates an additional 1.5 aggregate points per study to a maximum of 3 points. Consideration is also given to Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) criteria; and a regional bonus may apply.
Fee type
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Additional costs
Depending on the subjects chosen, extra costs can include a laboratory coat - about A$30 - and a dissecting kit - about A$40. Students can purchase these items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. Additional costs for fieldtrips - food, accommodation and travel - may also apply.
Additional information
Students enrolled at the Albury-Wodonga campus must transfer to either the Melbourne or Bendigo campus after successfully completing first year.
How to apply
Through VTAC or UAC. Students applying to our Albury-Wodonga, Melbourne or Bendigo campuses can apply directly to La Trobe University. Please note that direct applications are only available to non-Year 12 applicants and to applicants who have not already applied through VTAC. For more information about direct applications please visit Ask La Trobe.
Professional recognition
Depending on their major studies, graduates may be eligible for membership of professional associations.
Full course details
Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es):
Science Melbourne
Science Bendigo
Science Albury-Wodonga

Want to know more?

Feel free to ask us a question about any course for local students.

Fees and scholarships

Undergraduate courses are Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens. The domestic fee calculator can be used to calculate the cost of subjects this year.

There is also a wide range of scholarships available for local students. 

International students

Show mid year entryShow next year’s courses

Biochemistry and molecular biology international courses
Offer yearCourse title (CRICOS)Campus(es)DurationSemester startsAnnual Tuition Fee (AUD)
2013 Bachelor of Bioscience (077314A) Melbourne
Albury-Wodonga
3 years Semester 1 and 2 (March and July) $25 060

Bachelor of Bioscience continued…

Year
2013
Course description
This degree is designed for students who want to pursue a career in biology. It offers you the flexibility to choose from a range of specialisations within the discipline of biology. It prepares graduates to address big issues such as protecting native forests and grasslands, discovering new medicinal cures or sustainable agricultural practices, and mapping the genome of endangered species.

The first year of this course includes foundation studies to prepare you for study, and introduces you to a wide range of discipline areas in biology. In years two and three you will specialise in your area of interest, allowing you to graduate with up to two majors. You can choose from specialised or broad majors depending on your interests and the set of skills you wish to develop for your career.

English Language Requirements
Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at undergraduate (EFS5 (60%) UG) level conducted by La Trobe Melbourne; for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.

IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no individual band score less than 6.0; or

TOEFL Paper-based Test: a minimum score of 550 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English; or

TOEFL Computer-based Test: a minimum score of 213 with a score of 5 in essay writing; or

TOEFL Internet-based Test: a minimum score of 80 with no individual score less than 20; or

Satisfactory completion of an English language subject at Year 12 or equivalent level. This must have been completed in the last two years and at an academic level acceptable to the University; or

Approved equivalent.
Academic entry requirements
LTM Foundation Studies - 50
Aust. Yr 12 (ATAR) 2012 (indicative only) - not available
International Baccalaureate - 24
GCE A Levels - 7
Hong Kong A Levels - 5
HKDSE - 1 x Level 4
Sri Lankan A Levels - CCD
STPM - 8
MICSS (UEC) - 2A 4B
Canada Secondary School (or CPU) - 65
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 3.3
Sweden Slutbetyg - G
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 60
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8
Thailand (Matayoma 6) - GPA 2.5
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 2.0
GAOKAO - see: the website

If you do not meet these entry requirements you might be interested in La Trobe's Foundation Studies and Diploma Programs, which provide an alternative pathway to La Trobe's undergraduate program. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
Subject prerequisite
VCE Units 3 and 4: English (any).
Additional costs
It will cost students approximately A$100 for basic equipment. Students will need to purchase basic equipment like a dissection kit, laboratory coat and laboratory manuals for some subjects (laboratory manuals can also be borrowed from the library). Students can purchase these items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. No uniform needed.
Additional information
The Freshwater Ecology major is offered exclusively on the Albury-Wodonga campus, due to the nearby Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre. The multidisciplinary research centre, established in 1986, is a collaboration between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) La Trobe University. Students enrolled at the Melbourne campus for their first year of studies can complete a Freshwater Ecology major by transferring to Albury-Wodonga for their second and third years. Students enrolled at the Albury-Wodonga campus can complete the first year of all majors on that campus and then choose to transfer to the Melbourne campus for their second and third year to complete their degree with a major in Biochemistry, Botany, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or Zoology, or remain at Albury-Wodonga to major in Freshwater Ecology.
Full course details
Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es):
BioscienceMelbourne
BioscienceAlbury-Wodonga
2013 Bachelor of Science (022039C) Albury-Wodonga
Bendigo
Melbourne
3 years Semester 1 (March) $25 060

Bachelor of Science continued…

Year
2013
Course description
This degree is a building block for a multitude of careers, because it gives students an internationally-recognised broad grounding in many areas of science, providing a foundation which can lead to specialised postgraduate studies or a range of careers.

La Trobe offers a highly flexible degree structure, with 14 subject areas to choose from, as well as the opportunity to include subjects from other faculties as part of your degree. Because La Trobe has strong links to industry, students routinely enjoy guest lectures and work placement opportunities with leading government and research organisations as well as volunteering opportunities which will help build students' CVs. Students can also access a wide range of support programs within the faculty, making transition to university much less challenging.

La Trobe is one of the fastest-growing science research organisations in Australia, with the completion of AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience a $288 million public private partnership with the Victorian government and La Trobe University, and the construction of the $94-million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) at the Melbourne campus. These Centres are expanding laboratory facilities as well as teaching and research opportunities for La Trobe's science students.
Please note that students who enrol in the first year of this degree at the Albury-Wodonga campus must transfer to the Melbourne campus to complete the degree.
English Language Requirements
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no individual band score less than 6.0;

TOEFL Paper-based Test - a minimum overall score of 550 with a score of 5 or more in the Test of Written English;

TOEFL Internet-based Test - a minimum overall score of 60 with a minimum for SLR 18; W 22;

Satisfactory completion of the English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B (EFS5 UG minimum 60 per cent) which is available from La Trobe Melbourne; for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.

La Trobe Melbourne Foundation Studies: 60 per cent final result in a course;

English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): a minimum score of 57 with no communicative skill score less than 50.

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a pass grade of C or higher;

or approved international equivalent.
Academic entry requirements
LTM Foundation Studies - 60
Aust. Yr 12 (ATAR) 2012 (indicative only) - 65.15
International Baccalaureate - 24
GCE A Levels - 8
Hong Kong A Levels - 6
HKDSE - 2 x Level 4
Sri Lankan A Levels - BCC
STPM - 8
MICSS (UEC) - 5
Canada Secondary School (or CPU) - 70
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 3.5
Sweden Slutbetyg - G
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 65
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8
Indonesia (SMA) - 7.5
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 2.3
GAOKAO - see: the website

If you do not meet these entry requirements you might be interested in La Trobe's Foundation Studies and Diploma Programs, which provide an alternative pathway to La Trobe's undergraduate program. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
Subject prerequisite
Mathematics determined to be equivalent to the Australian VCE Units 3 & 4 Mathematics (any) and English (any).
Additional costs
Depending on the subjects chosen, extra costs can include a laboratory coat - about A$30 - and a dissecting kit - about A$40. Students can purchase these items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. Additional costs for fieldtrips - food, accommodation and travel - may also apply.
Additional information
Students enrolled at the Albury-Wodonga campus must transfer to the Melbourne campus after successfully completing their first year.
Please note academic records and testamurs of students who complete specialisations in environmental science, space science, or statistics are annotated accordingly (e.g. Bachelor of Science (Statistics).
Professional recognition
Membership of professional associations is available according to the major studies chosen.
Full course details
Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es):
Science Melbourne
Science Bendigo
Science Albury-Wodonga

How to apply?

Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Biochemistry and molecular biology placements

The industry cadetship program allows you to gain paid workplace experience between semesters, giving you the chance to build on your skills and build your career. See cadetship program.

Overseas study opportunities

Gain valuable overseas experience by studying with one of our global exchange partners. La Trobe has partnerships with over 100 universities in more than 30 countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. See education abroad.

Student and graduate profiles

Students from our Faculty talk about their experience at La Trobe.

About the academic staff

You'll get to meet a large number of academic staff during your studies, from tutors through to lecturers and supervisors. You can view staff in Biochemistry and molecular biology or search all staff in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering.

Biochemistry and molecular biology events

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