Commencing semesters, 2016

Semester 1
Semester 2

Program level

Undergraduate

Program code

2347

Faculty

Engineering, Architecture & Information Technology
Science Faculty

School

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences

Teaching Location

St Lucia

Delivery mode

Internal

Courses and requirements

View the courses and requirements for courses that can be studied as part of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.

Enquiries

Australian/domestic students

BE (Hons): Manager, Academic Administration, EAIT Faculty; BSc: Faculty of Science

Email: enquiries@eait.uq.edu.au

Phone: 07 3365 4777

International students

International Student Advisor

Email: study@uq.edu.au

Phone: Outside Australia: + 61 3 8676 7004
Within Australia (Free Call): 1800 671 980

Enquire online

Why study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology?

Biochemistry and molecular biology is the study of the chemical basis of life and underpins all disciplines of biology. A major in this area will provide you with a detailed understanding of the molecular events that control growth and development of all living things. In addition, you will develop an understanding of how such events go wrong in certain disease states and also how they can be exploited in the development of new drugs and improved agricultural processes. Undertaking a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will inform you on current issues in medicine, the environment, agriculture and industry. For example, diseases such as cancer, ageing, metabolic diseases (including diabetes), heart disease, infectious disease and nutrition, are all now being investigated and treated using biochemical and molecular approaches. Biochemistry and molecular biology also forms the basis of the biotechnology industry. Importantly, the new and exciting disciplines of proteomics, genomics, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and drug design all rely on the knowledge of and competency in biochemistry and molecular biology.

What you can study

In this major, you will develop expertise in three main areas:

  • Proteins, their structures and functions in cells
  • Molecular genetics - the structure and organisation of genes, DNA replication and repair, the control of gene expression and mutagenesis
  • Metabolism and nutrition - how cells extract energy from food and store it, how animals and plants obtain their nutrition and manufacture new molecules
More information about the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major.

Courses and requirements

View the courses and requirements for courses that can be studied as part of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.

Employment opportunities

Biochemistry and molecular biology offer some of the most exciting and challenging careers in science and medicine. These include:

  • Research Biochemists/Molecular Biologists - work in laboratories in universities, biotechnology companies and agricultural, medical and veterinary institutes. They investigate molecular networks in normal biological and defective processes of infectious and genetic diseases in animals and plants. They develop new ways to diagnose and treat diseases using the latest techniques.
  • Industrial Biochemists - work in analytical and research laboratories in areas such as the food & beverages or fuel production from waste products by fermentation.
  • Clinical Biochemists -Work in hospitals studying the chemical composition of tissues and body fluids to aid the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
  • Biochemists/Molecular Biologists - Work in Government agencies in specialist areas such as forensics, biosecurity, and quarantine.

What it costs

Please view the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours)/Science for indicative fees.

How to apply

Please view the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours)/Science for information on key dates and how to apply.