Program Overview

Our Diploma is equivalent to the 1st year of a La Trobe University degree – only with tailored learning and more support.

Diploma of Bioscience
The Diploma of Bioscience provides you with a foundational understanding of molecular biology, ecology, epidemiology and chemical reactions and analysis. You’ll also develop the statistical modelling and research skills required to succeed in a scientific career.

This Diploma will set you on the knowledge path to help solve global issues or advise on sustainable methodology and practices. You’ll learn about the structure, functions and interactions of living organisms from the molecular level upwards and begin to discuss some big issues such as climate change, pandemic regulation, the protection of endangered animals and disease treatment. 

Satisfactory completion of any Year 12 English and Mathematics is a prerequisite to this Diploma. Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Bioscience may be eligible to continue their studies in biotechnology fields at La Trobe University.

Gain direct entry into 2nd year of:

Bachelor of Biological Sciences

urn your passion for biology into a diverse career. La Trobe's Bachelor of Biological Sciences gives you a strong scientific grounding plus the flexibility to specialise in an area that interests you.

Start with the basics. Build foundational skills in biology, chemistry, ecology and biodiversity, and explore the impacts of infection, epidemics and pandemics.

This degree is all about getting your hands dirty. You'll start practical classes from your first year – both in our on-campus labs and facilities, and out in the field. Get a glimpse into your professional future in science with industry-led workshops and seminars, as well as opportunities for work placements.

Customise your course with a major of your choice. Select from a range of areas, including biochemistry, botany, ecology, genetics, human physiological sciences, microbiology or zoology. This degree also gives you the option to take a double major or choose an additional minor.

All the way through your degree, you'll be building fundamental skills in experimental design, analysis, data interpretation and reporting. At the same time, you'll develop your expertise in problem-solving, teamwork, written and verbal communication and data presentation – skills that will serve you throughout whatever career you pursue.

You'll learn:

• Animal, plant and microbial biology - Understand the fundamentals of biology as well as the structure and function of living organisms, their life processes and diversity.
• Data analysis and communication - Explore experimental design issues and statistics to analyse data from experiments. Learn to effectively present information and data to different audiences.
• Foundations of chemistry - Understand atomic and molecular structures, chemical reactions and organic and physical chemistry and apply these principles to further study and employment.
• Infections, epidemics and pandemics - Discover how infections can threaten human wellbeing and the strategies available to prevent and cure disease.
• Professional conduct and professional identify - Learn about ethical conduct when working as a scientific professional and how to promote and communicate your professional identity to potential employers and peers.

Major: Human Physiological Sciences
Explore how the human body functions and how it changes when we’re exposed to different environments. With a major in human physiological sciences, you’ll learn how our organs function in a number of conditions – including when we’re healthy, when we’re exercising and when we develop a disease – and get a taste of what it’s like to be a scientist. Discover how the trillions of cells in our bodies can be divided into groups based on the diverse functions they perform. We’ll examine these functions at the smallest cellular level all the way up to the whole organism level, see how they change during disease and explore how these changes can be prevented with drugs. You’ll be able to further your understanding with access to the latest scientific research taking place within the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology. Throughout this major, you’ll develop data analysis and research skills by performing your own experiments in practical classes. Opportunities to communicate in different modes as well as to different audiences will provide you with valuable transferable skills. You’ll graduate with a solid understanding of the human body, and skills and knowledge you can apply to future study in a range of fields, including other health disciplines or scientific research. You may also want to consider completing the anatomy minor to complement this field of study.