Undergraduate

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Studying this major provides a deep understanding of the molecular functions of all living things, and opens up opportunities in biotechnology, food production, medical diagnostics and public health.
75
ATAR

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

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

Careers 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 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, are particularly renowned nationally and internationally and rank amongst the world’s best 100 in their subject area.

A bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UWA is highly recognised amongst employers. Career options include biotechnology, drug development, food production and quality control, fermentation industries and chemical production. Biochemists and molecular biologists find jobs in diagnostic laboratories in hospitals, veterinary health, toxicology and in broader public health. Opportunities beyond the laboratory include education, patent law and policy-making, as well as in agriculture and the environment, sales and marketing for medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge of living systems, biochemists can work as journalists and science communicators. A degree in biochemistry and molecular biology is a starting point for specialised courses such as bioinformatics, synthetic biology or forensics. Many biochemists and molecular biologists choose to follow further study towards a higher degree by research, so that they can reach more senior positions in research and development, whether in academia or in industry.

To prepare you for these diverse career pathways, UWA’s unique degree structure provides you with the widest range of specialisation options amongst Western Australian universities. For example, it is possible to do the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major with a second major in Chemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Data Science, Neuroscience, Human Biology, or Population Health. You can use your personal interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study, and, ultimately, to direct your career. Through the unique design of the UWA curriculum, a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will enable you to become the next leader in biotechnology, synthetic biology, biomedicine or science communication.  

There are numerous companies and institutions in diverse industries that seek for biochemists and molecular biologists in Western Australia (indicated by *), nationally and internationally:

• Pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Pfizer*, CSL, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline, EvansPetersen Healthcare)
• Biotechnology companies (e.g. Dimerix*, PYC Therapeutics*, Orthocell*, Novozyme, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche, Merck)
• Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest*, Safe Work Laboratories*)
• Biochemical/protein analytical laboratories (e.g. Proteomics International*)
• 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

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 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, are particularly renowned nationally and internationally and rank amongst the world’s best 100 in their subject area.

A bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UWA is highly recognised amongst employers. Career options include biotechnology, drug development, food production and quality control, fermentation industries and chemical production. Biochemists and molecular biologists find jobs in diagnostic laboratories in hospitals, veterinary health, toxicology and in broader public health. Opportunities beyond the laboratory include education, patent law and policy-making, as well as in agriculture and the environment, sales and marketing for medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge of living systems, biochemists can work as journalists and science communicators. A degree in biochemistry and molecular biology is a starting point for specialised courses such as bioinformatics, synthetic biology or forensics. Many biochemists and molecular biologists choose to follow further study towards a higher degree by research, so that they can reach more senior positions in research and development, whether in academia or in industry.

To prepare you for these diverse career pathways, UWA’s unique degree structure provides you with the widest range of specialisation options amongst Western Australian universities. For example, it is possible to do the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major with a second major in Chemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Data Science, Neuroscience, Human Biology, or Population Health. You can use your personal interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study, and, ultimately, to direct your career. Through the unique design of the UWA curriculum, a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will enable you to become the next leader in biotechnology, synthetic biology, biomedicine or science communication.  

There are numerous companies and institutions in diverse industries that seek for biochemists and molecular biologists in Western Australia (indicated by *), nationally and internationally:

• Pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Pfizer*, CSL, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline, EvansPetersen Healthcare)
• Biotechnology companies (e.g. Dimerix*, PYC Therapeutics*, Orthocell*, Novozyme, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche, Merck)
• Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest*, Safe Work Laboratories*)
• Biochemical/protein analytical laboratories (e.g. Proteomics International*)
• 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

As a biochemist and molecular biologist you can expect an annual salary of $108,000 (+ bonus) as the average across all industries and experience levels, with a salary growth of ~2.0% per year. The typical entry level salary of scientists commences at $75,000 and ranges up to $130,000 for experienced workers. 

Further Study

By undertaking Honours in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, you will develop an understanding of the research process and your abilities to conduct independent research. You will acquire training and practice in skills such as experimental methods, problem solving, literature searching, data analysis, computing, team building, and written and oral communication.
By undertaking Honours in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, you will develop an understanding of the research process and your abilities to conduct independent research. You will acquire training and practice in skills such as experimental methods, problem solving, literature searching, data analysis, computing, team building, and written and oral communication.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

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

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

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

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

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

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page.

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 Applications ATAR

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

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 IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Chemistry / biology requirement

Applicants are recommended to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR / Human Biology ATAR.

International students commencing in semester 2 must have completed Biology ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or equivalent to be admitted.

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

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Course details

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major investigates how the natural world works. You'll gain an insight into the mechanisms of evolution, growth, development, reproduction and disease, plus tools to improve our quality of life. As well as careers in academic, medical and agricultural research, graduates with a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are equipped for careers in patent law, scientific equipment sales, management of clinical trials, forensic science and many others.

About the course

Biochemists and molecular biologists are interested in the molecular functions of all living organisms, from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale. In this major, you'll study the way molecules are organised and how they interact to achieve the functions of the living cell and that of the organism.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 15-30 hours per week
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-BCHMB
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 15-30 hours per week
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-BCHMB
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Reuben Lemmes

Reuben Lemmes

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.

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Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.