Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)

The University of Western Australia (UWA)

About Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)

Do you love science and food? Or are you interested in the role of nutrition in saving lives, reducing morbidity, and improving health. Then this degree may be for you.

Nutritional biochemistry takes a scientific approach to nutrition. It focuses on nutrient chemical components, and how they function metabolically, physiologically, biochemically as well as their impact on disease. Nutritional science is an applied subject that draws information from many biological areas, with much of the science coming from biochemical studies.

Knowledge generated from this field of study forms the foundation upon which nutrition-based public health interventions are designed and implemented.

Nutritional biochemistry takes a scientific approach to nutrition. It focuses on nutrient chemical components and how they function metabolically, physiologically and biochemically, as well as their impact on disease.

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

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).

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)

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.

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.

Other 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 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)
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Course Summary

Study level

Undergraduate

Discipline

Health and Medicine

Cricos

068914G, 068916E, 102860G

Duration

3 years

Study mode

On Campus

Fee*

A$132,000 per year
University Summary

AU Ranking: 7

QS Ranking: 92

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