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. Your investigations consider the information stored in DNA, molecular interactions, and how organisms gain and use energy. The major provides insights into the mechanisms of evolution, growth, development, reproduction and disease, plus the tools to improve our quality of life. This may be through the development of a drug or drought-resistant crop plant or understanding what controls an individual's health. At the end of the major you'll understand the theoretical basis of biochemistry and molecular biology anddemonstrate critical analysis and the application of scientific method to biochemical problems. You will have solidtechnical competency in basic laboratory skills including solution preparation, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and operation of general laboratory equipment. 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 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Entry Requirements
At The University of Western Australia (UWA), we understand that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma focuses on inquiry, intercultural understanding and creativity. Given the rigorous, integrated nature of the IB curriculum, IB students are well prepared for university and will already be on an educational pathway consistent with UWA’s educational principles.
Our innovative course structure is based on a comprehensive international model and is wide-ranging and flexible, allowing you to be creative in choosing your pathway to success. You can choose from more than 65 course majors and will undertake units which have a global or cultural focus, such as a language or a Student Exchange or Study Abroad program. This ensures that just like the IB program, a degree from UWA equips you with a global outlook as well as critical analytical skills.
In addition to the career benefits of a UWA degree, you’ll enjoy an outstanding student experience. Our picturesque campus is located on the Swan River near Perth’s CBD, and we have more than 125 societies and clubs for you to choose from, ensuring you can enjoy a vibrant social, cultural and sporting life as a UWA student.
We believe it is important to accurately reflect IB scores in UWA admissions standards and have made significant adjustments to reflect the IB curriculum including students’ study of a second language and standard or higher-level mathematics. We welcome all applicants who have completed the IB program and who meet the following requirements:
- Satisfy the University’s English language competence requirement by satisfactory performance in English language subjects (English A1 at HL or SL - Minimum score 4; English A2 at HL or SL - Minimum score 4; or English B at HL - Minimum score 5).
- Achieve a sufficient number of International Baccalaureate Diploma points to be offered a place.
- Satisfy any prerequisite subject requirements for your chosen course and major.
English Program Requirements
Qualification through WACE, TEE or equivalentPass in English, English Literature, or English as a Second Language
GCE O-level (GCSE and IGCSE)Minimum grade C / C6 in English, English Language, English (First Language) or English Literature.
Minimum grade A in IGCSE English as a Second Language, with grade 1(One) in Oral/Aural Communication.
Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority (independent and school-assessed O-levels are not sufficient).
Minimum grade A in IGCSE English as a Second Language, with grade 1(One) in Oral/Aural Communication.
Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority (independent and school-assessed O-levels are not sufficient).
TOEFL (paper-based)570 with a Test of Written English (TWE) of no less than 4.5
Scholarship applicants require 580, with 45 in the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
Scholarship applicants require 580, with 45 in the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
IBT TOEFL (Internet-based test score)82 with 22 for writing, 20 for speaking, 20 for listening, and 18 for reading
IELTS (Academic)6.5 (no band lower than 6.0)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in EnglishC pass
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced EnglishB grade
CELT Bridging CourseOverall score of 70% with a minimum of 65% for each section
Law School requires an overall score of 80% with a minimum of 80% for reading and writing, and a minimum of 75% for speaking and listening.
Graduate School of Education requires an overall score of 75% with a minimum of 70% in reading and writing.
Dental School requires an overall score of 75% with a minimum of 70% in reading and writing.
UWA Business School requires an overall score of 70% with a minimum of 70% in reading and writing.
Law School requires an overall score of 80% with a minimum of 80% for reading and writing, and a minimum of 75% for speaking and listening.
Graduate School of Education requires an overall score of 75% with a minimum of 70% in reading and writing.
Dental School requires an overall score of 75% with a minimum of 70% in reading and writing.
UWA Business School requires an overall score of 70% with a minimum of 70% in reading and writing.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic)Overall score of 64 with a minimum score of 64 in the Reading and Writing sections,
59 in the Speaking section and 54 in the Listening section.
Law School requires an overall score of 70 with a minimum score of 70 in each section.
59 in the Speaking section and 54 in the Listening section.
Law School requires an overall score of 70 with a minimum score of 70 in each section.
OtherOther qualifications assessed on an individual basis
English Requirements
- Min PTE: 64
- Min IELTS: 6.5
- Min TOEFL: 82
Career
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