Undergraduate
Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Telephone
131 UWA (131 892)
International
(+61 8) 6488 1000
Hours
Frequently asked questions
Events you may be interested in
Show more eventsCareers and further study
This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.
Career Pathways
UWA is Western Australia’s top ranked University, and is also one of the Group of Eight leading research universities in Australia. UWA’s biological disciplines, including those that comprise the molecular life sciences, are particularly renowned nationally and internationally and rank amongst the world’s best 100 in their subject area.
A bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry of Nutrition from UWA would be highly recognised amongst employers in the life sciences and healthcare fields. Career options include biotechnology, food technology and quality control, nutritional consultancy and dietetics. Nutritional biochemists find jobs in diagnostics, toxicology and allied health fields. Opportunities beyond the laboratory include education, patent law and policy-making, as well as in sales and marketing for medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge of living systems, nutritional biochemists find work as journalists and science communicators. A degree in the Biochemistry of Nutrition is also an ideal entry point for specialised postgraduate courses in biomedical sciences or human physiology. Finally, many careers in biochemistry and human physiology benefit from expertise gained through a higher degree by research, so that graduates can reach more senior positions in research and development, whether in academia or in industry.
There are numerous companies and institutions in diverse industries that seek nutritional biochemists in Western Australia (indicated by *), nationally and internationally:
• Pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Pfizer*, CSL, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline, EvansPetersen Healthcare)
• Food technology and quality assurance (e.g. D’Orsogna*, Ecolab*)
• Biotechnology companies (e.g. Dimerix*, PYC Therapeutics*, Orthocell*, Novozyme, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche, Merck)
• Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest*, Safe Work Laboratories*)
• Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)
• Research Centres (e.g. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)*, Telethon Kids Institute*, Ingham Institute, Garvan Institute for Medical Research)
• Top-ranked universities around the world
Salary Information
Based on salary information for food scientists and biochemists, you can expect an annual salary of $97,000 to 108,000 (+ bonus) as the average across all industries and experience levels, with a salary growth of ~2.0% per year.
Fees and scholarships
Undergraduate – Full Fee Paying (FFP) & Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
The Annual Fee is an estimate only based on a standard annual study load of 48 points. (Courses may teach up to 72 points in a year)
FFP
For Full Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee. Visit the Fee Calculator select 'Postgraduate Coursework Fee-Paying' and chose your course to see the annual and total course fees.
CSP
For Commonwealth Supported Places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit. For an accurate fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator select 'Postgraduate Coursework Commonwealth-Supported' and chose ‘I want to price my units’.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Undergraduate – onshore students
Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 80
Admission requirements
Mathematics requirement
This major requires a certain level of Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you may be able to take additional Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.
WACE prerequisite: Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 (must include Academic Reading and Writing modules).
How to apply

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Course details
About the course
Quick details
- Available
- Albany (Regional campus)
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Undergraduate
- MJD-BCNDM
- 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Why study this course
- Develop an understanding of the evidence behind the association of nutrition, exercise and predominant lifestyle diseases (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, osteoporosis and cancer)
- Understand nutrition at a molecular level and the molecular processes related to nutrition
- By combining your academic studies with the development of hands-on skills in laboratories you'll be prepared for work in industry or research
You'll learn to
- develop biochemical and nutrition knowledge with particular reference to recent developments in nutritional sciences
- use techniques that are used in modern research laboratories to develop a range of technical laboratory and research skills
- understand the importance of exercise and the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in maintaining health and preventing lifestyle diseases
Course Structure
Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.
Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.
Your degree options
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