Warning! There have been changes to the course - please refer to the transition information

Undergraduate RMI-SCI-DEG-2022

Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences)

Understand the big picture problems by looking through a microscope

Explore the molecular level of living systems by studying genetics, biochemistry and microbiology — all taught by leading edge researchers. Go on to solve real world problems with a career in biotechnology, biosciences or agriscience.

Available loans

Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

Total subjects

Price

From

$23,850

Study method

Online & on-campus

Assessments

Subjects may require attendance

Credit available

Yes

Applications Close

14 Aug 22
13 Nov 22

Australia's largest dual-sector institute, offering both TAFE and higher education, RMIT University proudly delivers work-related education and practical research relevant to current business and community needs. More than 60,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.

QS RANKING 2022

Times Higher Education Ranking 2022

2022

Degree structure

Core subjects

Major subjects

Elective subjects

Degree

Degree details

What you'll learn

On completion of this degree students will have:

An understanding of scientific knowledge and its application
An awareness of, and ability to select and use, appropriate laboratory and/or field materials and equipment
The ability to solve problems in a scientific laboratory
The ability to communicate scientific and technical issues to a wide range of audience types
An appreciated ethical behaviour in science
The ability to obtain valid evidence and frame judgments on issues within a professional framework.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this degree can work in every area of biotechnology and biosciences, from gene manipulation in mammals to toxin testing in waterways and crop protection. Graduates can be employed in research, production and testing positions in government and private laboratories and in the field. RMIT graduates are renowned for their ‘real world’ education and their ‘hands-on’ skills which make them highly desirable to employers.

Professional recognition

Depending on choice of subjects, graduates may satisfy the requirements for membership to the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Australian Society for Microbiology or other professional organisations.

Entry requirements

Higher education via OUA

Successful completion of 2 OUA Core subjects from the Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) at pass level (MAS120 and SCB100 recommended)

Higher education

Successful completion of one full time semester (four subjects) towards an undergraduate degree or higher level of study at an Australian university, and evidence of meeting maths entry requirement equivalent to VCE prerequisite Subjects 3 and 4: a study score of 20 in one of Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics

Secondary education

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent, with an ATAR of 68. VCE prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a minimum of 20 in one of Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics, and a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL)

VET studies

Successful completion of Australian advanced diploma, diploma, or equivalent, and evidence of meeting maths entry requirement equivalent to VCE prerequisite Units 3 and 4: a study score of 20 in one of Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics

Special requirements

To be eligible for admission to an RMIT program applicants must be at least 16 years of age by the commencement date of the program in which they want to enrol.

On campus requirements

Laboratory, clinical and practical classes

Due to the specialist nature of this degree, you will be required to attend RMIT University in Melbourne to complete practical and laboratory classes.

These classes will be offered in block mode, as a week of intensive practical work during most subjects on site at RMIT City or Bundoora West campuses. There will be one week of block practicals in each Study Period.

These classes are compulsory and some classes may be scheduled concurrently with others. Students planning to enrol into multiple subjects within a particular Study Period that require a laboratory, clinical and/or practical component or wanting further information about the classes' schedule are advised to contact the Coordinator, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, prior to finalising their enrolment.

The following subjects have laboratory, clinical and/or practical classes:

SCB110 Cell Structure and Function
SCB120 Plant Structure and Function
SCB130 Animal Structure and Function
SCB140 Introduction to Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics
SCB200 Microbiology 1
SCB210 Biological Chemistry
SCB220 Genetics and Molecular Biology
SCB300 Plant Diversity
SCB301 Animal Diversity
SCB305 Ecology
SCB310 Gene Technologies
SCB330 Advanced Immunology and Cell Technology
SCC100 Chemistry of Materials 1
SCI300 Instrumentation for Scientists and Engineers.

The 2020 Practical Schedule is currently being finalised.

Credit for previous study or work

Students may be able to receive credit for previous studies completed at other institutions in the last 10 years. To have your credit formally assessed you must first register for the RMIT degree. You are eligible to register as soon as you have completed a minimum of two core RMIT OUA subjects. An administrative fee of $165 is applicable to register for an award.

Documentation will be required to support your application, such as:

a certified copy of an Academic Transcript with final grades for Higher Education studies
a certified copy of a Statement of Attainment for any completed TAFE studies
subject outlines showing content, learning outcomes and assessment requirements
an explanation of the grading structure used.

Recognition of prior learning based on industry experience is not available for this degree.

Before lodging a credit transfer students are encouraged to contact their OUA Administrator, School of Applied Sciences via email: ouaappsci@rmit.edu.au

Description

The Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) from RMIT University allows you to explore the molecular level of living systems from which you can devise strategies to solve important practical problems.

Bioscience and biotechnology are shaping the environment and food supply, ensuring that all living things can survive and live more safely. Drawing on core science areas such as genetics, biological chemistry and microbiology this degree is taught by researchers at the leading edge of industry practice.

The degree is designed for those who wish to pursue careers in biological sciences and provide a biology specialisation for intending teachers.

You will develop the necessary ecological knowledge to deal with complex systems using modern biotechnological techniques. The degree covers ecology, ecotoxicology, marine biology and aquaculture, environmental biotechnology diagnostics and molecular agriculture. Through your studies you will develop core knowledge and techniques in plant and animal identification along with molecular biology, genetics, biological chemistry and microbiology.

Please note: Some subjects in this degree require you to attend laboratory sessions in Melbourne. The 2020 timetable is currently being finalised.

Degree structure details

Recommended Study Pattern

This degree is an OUA Pathways degree, which means there is a recommended series of subjects that, once successfully completed, can be credited towards this degree. To commence the Pathway for this degree, simply select subjects from the Pathway stream below.

Students who aren't taking part in OUA Pathways can instead follow the study pattern below:

Level 1: Complete five (5) core subjects and three (3) Level 1 science electives.

Level 2: Complete four (4) core subjects and two (2) science electives (from Level 2 or 3) plus two (2) general electives from any OUA subjects.

Level 3: Complete five (5) core subjects and two (2) science electives (from Level 2 or 3) plus one (1) general elective from any OUA subjects.

Please see Degree Structure for further information.

Award Requirements

To obtain the Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences), you must complete 24 subjects and meet these requirements:

You must complete at least eight RMIT subjects
You must complete the following Bachelor of Science subjects (from the core and elective science subjects):
- eight (8) subjects at Level 1
- four (4) core subjects at Level 2
- five (5) core subjects at Level 3 and
- at least four (4) science elective subjects from level 2 or 3
- three (3) general electives which can be selected from any undergraduate subject offered through OUA
A maximum of twelve subjects can be taken at First Year Level over the entire degree
A maximum of one SSK will count towards the degree

Choose your subjects

Majors

Students may select their Level 3 core units from the 'major' areas of biosciences or biotechnology. Students may complete an additional 'minor' sequence using their general electives and should contact the course coordinator for further information.

Registering in this degree

If you are are intending to complete the Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences), you must register for the RMIT degree. You are eligible to register as soon as you have successfully completed a minimum of two core RMIT OUA subjects within this degree.

If you wish to Graduate at the Melbourne graduation ceremony in December, you must complete your final subject no later than Study Period 2 in the year you intend to graduate.

A payment will be required to attend the graduation ceremony in Melbourne; for information about payments or application dates please click here. Alternatively students can apply to graduate in absentia at any time.

To register for the degree or to apply to graduate please click here.

Transition arrangements

The Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) has undergone a major change from 2016. If you are entering year two or three of the degree, you are expected to follow the new degree structure. If you are expecting to complete your degree before SCI301 Professional Scientist (new subject) is offered, you may complete the degree using the old structure. If you need further advice for your subject selection, please contact the School of Applied Sciences OUA Course Administrator via email on ouaappsci@rmit.edu.au

Easy apply

You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.

Once you've checked your eligibility, apply and enrol for this degree following the steps. This degree also allows you to get started with Open access.

Select ‘Apply now’

Choose subjects to begin your application. You can choose 1 or 2 subjects to start.

Choose how you want to start

You can apply for the full degree or if you want to start with Open access, enrol into the subjects using the ‘Single subjects’ option.

You can apply for the degree later and the subjects may be credited towards the degree.

Complete your details

Provide your details and select a funding option. You can pay up-front or apply for government funding in your application.

Open access

This degree offers Open access entry, exclusive to Open Universities Australia.

There’s more than one way to get a degree. Open access allows you to start with single subjects as a way into eligible degrees, regardless of your study history.

Enrol into and complete the required Open access subjects to earn entry in this degree. Most subjects have no entry requirements, are fully government funded (if you’re eligible) and may be credited when you start the degree.

The best part? You can enrol and get started with single subjects now.