Program Overview

Turn 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: Biochemistry

If you're driven by a curiosity to understand cells and organisms at the molecular scale, La Trobe’s Biochemistry major is your gateway to exploring the fundamental processes that underpin life itself. Biochemistry describes all molecular and cellular aspects of life as we know it, from the simplest bacteria and viruses, to plants and crops, to humans. Advances in Biochemistry furthermore are pivotal to understanding diseases such cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, and play a crucial role in the development of new therapeutic drugs and vaccines.

You will learn how to apply scientific reasoning, laboratory skills and critical thinking, to develop creative solutions to complex, real-world challenges. Upon graduation, you'll be equipped to make significant contributions to fields and industries such as biomolecular research,  pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or potential gain entry into further postgraduate courses.

Students commencing their studies at Albury-Wodonga campus are required to transfer to the Melbourne campus from second year to complete this major.