Bachelor of Biological Sciences in Microbiology

at La Trobe University - Albury-Wodonga Campus Australia

Food is crucial to our very existence, but what happens before it hits the table? The food production industry is in a state of flux due to technological breakthroughs, climate change, rapid urbanisation, shifts in economic power and sustainability. To feed ten billion people by 2050, we need an agricultural revolution.

Study La Trobe's Bachelor of Agriculture to make your mark in agriculture.

You'll get a solid grounding in science fundamentals, including biology, chemistry and animal sciences, taught by our leading academics and industry experts. You'll also delve deeper into discipline-specific topics such as plant and soil science, animal nutrition, pest control, animal health and biochemistry.

Throughout your degree, you'll explore the issues that are set to dominate the future of agriculture, including unpredictable water supply, climate change, food security, environmental impacts of agriculture, and sustainable cropping and grazing systems. You'll get a true, practical understanding of these challenges through real-world case studies. And with access to Reid Labs and AgriBio, Victoria's largest agricultural science research centre, you'll be learning in a truly world-class environment.

Theory is good, but hands-on experience is even better. Your degree includes a range of practical learning opportunities and industry experiences, so you can see first-hand how your skills and knowledge apply in real-world settings. These experiences will give you the opportunity to begin building your network of industry contacts – something you'll be able to draw on throughout your career.

Your third and final year is all about applying the skills and knowledge you've learned in an agricultural context. Harness and hone all you've learned in La Trobe's laboratories and in-field work to prepare for your next step after graduation.

Whether you want to forge a career in agriculture in a laboratory, on farms or in an office, our Bachelor of Agriculture will provide you with the skills and knowledge to take on the challenges facing the next generation.

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.

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.

Growing minds need guidance and inspiration. As the bridge between childhood and adult life, teachers offer a unique opportunity to help shape our next generation of thinkers, doers and dreamers. And with young people growing up in a rapidly changing world, we need educators who understand the challenges they face and are skilled to guide them to become their best selves.

If you're passionate about helping young people to flourish, La Trobe's accredited Bachelor of Education offers your best path to a rewarding career in teaching. Carefully designed by expert teachers and leaders in the learning sciences, our Bachelor of Education will give you the skills, experience and confidence to make a difference from your first day as a qualified teacher.

Take your time and find out what area of teaching you'd like to specialise in. You won't have to decide what you'll teach – secondary, primary, or early childhood and primary – until the end of your first year. Then, you'll dive deep into your area of specialisation and develop unique and comprehensive skills.

Offered at every La Trobe campus in Victoria, our Bachelor of Education is extremely flexible. Learn in blended mode (online, in schools, in community and on campus), making it easier to balance study and life commitments.

You'll seamlessly integrate theory and practice through a careful blend of learning experiences. Learn the most up-to-date and proven approaches to teaching, then put them into practice. You'll spend at least 80 days in schools and education centres, learning how to manage classrooms, design class plans and guide students.

Learn from currently practising teachers and get valuable knowledge that no textbook (or YouTube video) can give you. Study in a supportive learning environment, mentored by our experienced and dedicated teaching staff. You'll also learn from leading researchers who are changing the way people learn to read.

Become a strong, independent learner and develop your identity as a teacher. At La Trobe, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the important ethical and technical requirements for being a teacher. You'll graduate classroom ready, equipped to become the best teacher you can be.

If you decide to pursue primary or secondary teaching, you'll develop discipline specialisations that you'll take straight into the classroom when you graduate. But no matter which path you choose, you'll learn alongside students working across all age groups, so you'll constantly learn about all stages of a child's education journey.

We are embedded within communities. This means you'll be connected to the communities you serve and have strong professional networks. And with campuses across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria, we collaborate with a huge range of communities.

You'll build classroom skills in challenging and diverse placements. Learn how to be an adaptable teacher and discover how to design learning environments that meet the needs of a wide range of students inclusive of race, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. You'll focus on Indigenous knowledge and learn how to meet the needs of diverse individuals and communities.

Be prepared to teach in any school. At La Trobe, you'll learn the most up-to-date skills needed for the modern classroom. Graduate feeling completely prepared and confident from the first day you step into the classroom.

Primary 

Gain the skills to artfully guide children through this important phase, with a focus on ages 5 to 12.? 

Get the skills, experience and confidence to make a difference from your first day as a qualified teacher. You'll learn proven approaches as you gain an in-depth understanding of child psychology and how this important age group learns. Get experience teaching across all primary curriculum areas, including how to read, how to use numbers, the creative arts and sciences, and how to care for your body.? 

You’ll build the practical skills you’ll use every day in your career. Learn to plan and provide lessons, understand how to engage with a diverse range of learners, discover how to provide assessments, and get practise engaging with parents, other teachers and the school community.?? 

With extensive practical experience woven into the course, you’ll graduate ready to make a real and lasting difference for our growing children.  

With global communities facing challenges of increasing complexity and urgency, we need confident and experienced professionals who can leverage the latest innovations and provide ethical governance. We need leaders in every industry who make decisions not just for today’s generation – but for tomorrow’s.

If you're ready to become a global leader, La Trobe's prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) will give you the world-class skills to advance your career, move into a new field or launch your own start-up. Tap into La Trobe's exclusive network of powerful business leaders and develop the essential experience to become an influential modern leader.

We've carefully designed the La Trobe MBA to suit your needs. Choose to study on campus, online or a blend of the two. You can also choose from a wide range of regional campuses. You'll keep your career moving forwards, even while you prepare to step up to the next level.

With La Trobe's internationally-renowned MBA, you'll immerse yourself in learning as you grow your business acumen and develop valuable human skills. Co-designed and co-delivered by leading industry partners such as Mercer, you'll be absorbed in interactive learning and develop critical business skills. Our MBA is built on evidence-based coursework – so you'll have the confidence to understand the issues facing global businesses, tackle real-world business problems and develop lifelong leadership skills.

Study with international leaders who are dedicated to building a better world. Globally regarded for our commitment to sustainable leadership, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to balance both economic and sustainability outcomes. Our MBA is built on the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and we are proud to be the first Australian university to become a PRME Champion.

When you access the La Trobe MBA Alumni network, you'll join an exclusive network of high-performing senior executives. You can attend professional networking events and guest lectures, as you learn how to provide good corporate governance in challenging environments.

You'll transform your career when you choose from a wide range of carefully curated specialisations. You can also complete your MBA without a specialisation, and undertake a life-changing study tour or work placement (subject to government travel restrictions).

You can also receive support for your start-up. Through partnerships with the Melbourne Innovation Centre and Fishburners, you can access space in start-up hubs, individualised mentoring and more.

Graduate prepared to become an influential global leader – and change the world for the better.

You'll learn:

• Responsible leadership and corporate governance - Understand how to manage people and operations, and achieve ethical and sustainable outcomes.
• Entrepreneurship - Be ready to take your business plans from conception to completion.
• Innovation and design thinking - Learn how to think creatively and drive change across an organisation
• Business analysis - Explore how data can shape strategies and inform smarter decision-making.
• Accounting and financial management - Refine your skills in accounting and finance to better analyse business practices.

 

La Trobe's Bachelor of Biomedical Science is ideal for students interested in human biology and allows you to tailor the degree toward your career interests. Combining the fields of biology and medical science, you'll open doors to careers across high-demand sectors including education, healthcare, media and research.

In your first year, develop fundamental knowledge in areas across chemistry, bioscience and health, with an additional focus on psychology and how to work with individuals in health and human services settings.

In your second year, build on these foundations with advanced topics in biomedical sciences that underpin your knowledge across chemistry, metabolic biochemistry, pharmacology and the growing need for expertise in immunology.

In your third and final year, deepen your expertise across topics including applied immunology, cancer research, response to infectious disease, and cardiovascular and neurological systems. You can also choose to put your learning into practice with an elective placement. Previous students have undertaken internships with Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Hexima and AdAlta. High-performing students may also have the opportunity to secure a vacation scholarship – a hands-on experience in a research laboratory.

Get personalised advice from our supportive staff who can help you align your degree with your career aspirations. With further study, the Bachelor of Biomedical Science can serve as a pathway into a highly sought-after career in physiotherapy, speech pathology, medicine or dentistry.

You'll learn:

• Molecular and cell biology - Understand the function of biological systems at the molecular and cellular levels, and how they relate to medical research and biotechnology.
• Human physiology - Gain insight into how the systems of the body work, including the cardiovascular and neurological systems, and how the regulation of these impact our health outcomes.
• Infectious and non-infectious disease - Discover how infectious diseases, like viruses, and non-infectious diseases, like cancers, are caused. Explore the latest understanding of how to prevent, diagnose and treat different types of disease.
• Clinical biochemistry and haematology - Delve into some of the most common areas of clinical pathology – from examining and analysing blood, to investigating biochemical components such as enzymes, hormones and proteins. Learn how to affect positive change across clinical pathology environments.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge in biomedical science that enables scientific rigour in the conduct and evaluation of scientific practice
• Analyse, evaluate and apply scientific information from experiments, reports and peer-reviewed journals
• Communicate biomedical knowledge and ideas to others effectively and professionally in written and oral reports
• Apply biomedical knowledge, technical skills and professional judgement to develop evidence based solutions to complex biomedical, scientific and technical problems
• Undertake self-directed learning to maintain appropriate professional knowledge and skill in biomedical science
• Work independently and in teams to undertake professional projects and scientific tasks

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.

Zoology

Explore the evolution of the animal kingdom. You’ll learn the ecology, behaviour, physiology, development and origin of animals and examine how they interact with their environment. Develop hands-on experience with fieldwork opportunities and access to our on-campus Wildlife Sanctuary.

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

Working with domestic and wild animals requires more than just passion – it demands scientific knowledge and practical expertise. Choose a degree that gives you both, preparing you for a diverse range of careers in the animal industries.

With La Trobe's Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences, you can turn your love of animals into a fulfilling career.
Study the basics of animal science, including breeding, nutrition and animal welfare. You'll also delve into global issues such as food security, epidemics and pandemics, and the environmental impacts of animal agriculture. In later years you'll explore animal psychology, biochemistry and immunology.

Theory is vital, but we know you can only learn so much in the classroom. That's why your theoretical studies will be supported by robust hands-on learning. Each year of your degree will include practical elements, such as real-life animal case studies which give you the chance to work closely with our industry partners. Placements – both compulsory and elective – allow you to take your learning out of the classroom and into the real world. Industry experts will present lectures and workshops throughout your degree, giving you first-hand insights into your future. You'll graduate with experience under your belt and the foundations of a strong professional network.

Already know how you want your career to look? There's scope for you to make this degree what you want it to be. A wide range of electives in areas like zoology, wildlife and agriculture science give you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your career goals.

If you're looking for a rewarding career in education, La Trobe's Associate Degree of Teacher Education is a perfect pathway to an accredited teaching degree.

When you successfully complete the Associate Degree of Teacher Education, you could progress to a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education. You'll also receive advanced standing for up to two years of full-time study.

You'll develop strong foundational skills in professional literacy and numeracy, as well as knowledge of contemporary approaches to learning.

You'll also start specialising in your chosen field – primary, secondary, or early childhood and primary – and build discipline-specific knowledge, choosing from electives in science, languages, arts, health, psychology, physical education and more.

We're at your side every step of the way. Receive personalised advice from a dedicated Student Adviser and connect with discipline-based peer mentors. We'll help you enrol, choose your subjects and navigate university systems and requirements. You can also access the university-wide careers service for advice and assistance on your resume, interview skills and career planning.

With global communities facing challenges of increasing complexity and urgency, we need confident and experienced professionals who can leverage the latest innovations and provide ethical governance. We need leaders in every industry who make decisions not just for today’s generation – but for tomorrow’s.

If you're ready to become a global leader, La Trobe's prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) will give you the world-class skills to advance your career, move into a new field or launch your own start-up. Tap into La Trobe's exclusive network of powerful business leaders and develop the essential experience to become an influential modern leader.

We've carefully designed the La Trobe MBA to suit your needs. Choose to study on campus, online or a blend of the two. You can also choose from a wide range of regional campuses. You'll keep your career moving forwards, even while you prepare to step up to the next level.

With La Trobe's internationally-renowned MBA, you'll immerse yourself in learning as you grow your business acumen and develop valuable human skills. Co-designed and co-delivered by leading industry partners such as Mercer, you'll be absorbed in interactive learning and develop critical business skills. Our MBA is built on evidence-based coursework – so you'll have the confidence to understand the issues facing global businesses, tackle real-world business problems and develop lifelong leadership skills.

Study with international leaders who are dedicated to building a better world. Globally regarded for our commitment to sustainable leadership, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to balance both economic and sustainability outcomes. Our MBA is built on the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and we are proud to be the first Australian university to become a PRME Champion.

When you access the La Trobe MBA Alumni network, you'll join an exclusive network of high-performing senior executives. You can attend professional networking events and guest lectures, as you learn how to provide good corporate governance in challenging environments.

You'll transform your career when you choose from a wide range of carefully curated specialisations. You can also complete your MBA without a specialisation, and undertake a life-changing study tour or work placement (subject to government travel restrictions).

You can also receive support for your start-up. Through partnerships with the Melbourne Innovation Centre and Fishburners, you can access space in start-up hubs, individualised mentoring and more.

Graduate prepared to become an influential global leader – and change the world for the better.

You'll learn:

• Responsible leadership and corporate governance - Understand how to manage people and operations, and achieve ethical and sustainable outcomes.
• Entrepreneurship - Be ready to take your business plans from conception to completion.
• Innovation and design thinking - Learn how to think creatively and drive change across an organisation
• Business analysis - Explore how data can shape strategies and inform smarter decision-making.
• Accounting and financial management - Refine your skills in accounting and finance to better analyse business practices.

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.

Ecology

We depend on the environment for food, fresh air and water, recreation, inspiration and wellbeing, but every day we see how humans are altering and affecting the environment. If you want to contribute to a more sustainable future, a major in ecology gives you the skills and knowledge to make a difference on some of the ‘big issues’ facing humanity. Ecology examines the factors that drive the distribution and abundance of organisms in the environment. It provides a knowledge base for understanding how the environment ‘works’, for appreciating the complexity and diversity of the species and communities which share our environment, and for how we can better manage land and water for a more sustainable future. Ecology offers opportunities to contribute to global environmental issues – such as climate change, protecting threatened species, enhancing urban design, and more sustainable use of forests, water and farmland. Throughout this major, you’ll discover the diversity of plants and animals in Australia and their extraordinary adaptations to Australian environments, make your own observations on plants and animals and the complex relationships between species, learn about current and emerging threats to flora and fauna and ways to protect and manage threatened species, learn to ‘read’ landscapes, and understand how human land uses, climate and disturbance processes shape the environment. Build valuable skills in collecting, reading and evaluating data, communicating scientific concepts, making judgements about environmental issues, identifying plants and animal species, observing animal behaviour, and evaluating human impacts on landscapes. Working with your peers, you’ll also learn to design investigations. This major includes opportunities to do field work, experience different ecosystems, and directly observe real-world issues and environmental management. You’ll graduate with valuable skills and knowledge of how the natural environment ‘works’, the factors that influence the distribution and conservation of species and communities, and an appreciation for how we can better manage landscapes in the 21st century. This will equip you for a wide range of roles in natural resource management, including working with people and community groups, hands-on management of land and water, developing policy and plans, and undertaking surveys and investigations, and solving environmental problems.