This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be fifty hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will vary in different semesters.

Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree.  Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence their course from 2007 onwards. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills.
 
Final Year Experience - Major Projects
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates from 2007 will undertake 25 credit points of
professionally-focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.

Electives Plus Sequences
Electives plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline. 

Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus sequences of up to three units from one of the following themes:

• Effective Communication
• Establishing and Running a Business - pre 2009
• Italian Language Practice and Culture - pre 2009
• Enterprising Marketing - pre 2009
• Multimedia: Web Development
• Information Orientation and Knowledge Management
• Undergraduate Research Skills
• Design: Process and Strategy Electives Plus sequence
• The Networked Economy

Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.

Stage 1
Semester 1
HES1510 Chemistry 1
HMS101 Foundation Mathematics *
HES1610 Concepts of Biology 
HES1626 Professional Skills for Biotechnologists
Semester 2
HES1525 Chemistry 2
HES1555 Consumer Science
HES1616 Concepts of Biotechnology
HMS102 Introduction to Statistics

Stage 2
Semester 1
HES2621 Introduction to Biochemistry
HES2631 The Microbial World
Elective 1
Elective 2
Semester 2
HES2626 Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
HES2636 Microbes in the Environment
Elective 3
Elective 4

Stage 3
Semester 1
HES4520 Advanced Chemistry 1
HES4510 Investigative Chemistry Prac 3
HES4621 Advanced Biochemistry
HES4641 Practical Biochemistry
Semester 2
HES4626 Biotechnology
HES4646 Biotechnology Research Project
Elective 5
Elective 6

* May be replaced by HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 if student intends to continue studying mathematics at a higher level

IBL, if undertaken, is generally taken between Stages 2 and 3 and consists of:
HSW050   Industry-Based Learning and/or
HSW055   Industry-Based Learning
This optional Industry-Based Learning program is not available to international students.

Electives 1 to 4 Choose one of the following:
HES2540 Forensic and Analytical Science, or
HES2541 Analytical Chemistry
and one of the following:

HES2520 Chemistry 3, or
HES2526 Organic Chemistry
and two of the following:
HES2510 Investigative Chemistry Prac 1
HES2515 Investigative Chemistry Prac 2
HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management
HES4701 Research Skills Project
Electives Plus Sequence 1 (see above)
Electives Plus Sequence 2 (see above)

Note: credit cannot be obtained for both HES2541 and HES2510. Nor can credit be gained for both HES2526 and HES2515.

Elective 5
Choose between:
HES4525 Advanced Chemistry 2

HES4516 Research Project
  
Elective 6
This is a free elective. Recommended units of study include any previously non-selected elective and:
HES4525 Advanced Chemistry 2

HES4516 Research Project
HES4628 Environmental Biotechnology
HBN200N New Venture Development
Electives Plus Sequence 3 (see above)

Biochemists work in many areas, including medical research, environmental research, clinical biochemistry, biotechnology, industrial chemistry, microbiology, food production, agricultural biochemistry, beverage production, fermentation technology, pharmaceutical production, biomolecular research, protein engineering, wine science, waste treatment, biodegradation and bioremediation. Some graduates move into sales, marketing, business analysis and management associated with the biochemical and chemical industries.