Undergraduate

Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)

Are you interested in how nutrition saves lives, reduces morbidity and improves health? This extended major will prepare you for a career as a nutritional consultant, food technologist, dietician, biochemist or healthcare professional.
80
ATAR

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

A bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry of Nutrition from UWA may provide career opportunities including 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.

Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions that seek nutritional biochemists include:

• 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)
• Top-ranked universities around the world

A bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry of Nutrition from UWA may provide career opportunities including 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.

Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions that seek nutritional biochemists include:

• 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)
• Top-ranked universities around the world

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$46,600.00
2025
$49,200.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Prerequisites

This major requires:

  • Mathematics Methods ATAR; OR
  • Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year; OR
  • Students without ATAR mathematics to take two mathematics units in their first year.

  • Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

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Course details

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.

About the course

The Biochemistry of Nutrition extended major takes a scientific approach to nutrition and examines the role nutrition can play in saving lives.
Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Albany (Regional campus)
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-BCNDM
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Biochemistry of Nutrition (Extended Major)
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Albany (Regional campus)
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-BCNDM
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Molecular Sciences
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

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

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

You'll learn to

  • Develop biochemical and nutrition knowledge with particular reference to recent developments in nutritional sciences
  • Use techniques that are used in modern research laboratories to develop a range of technical laboratory and research skills
  • Understand the importance of exercise and the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in maintaining health and preventing lifestyle diseases
Facility

Bayliss Building

Interior of Bayliss Building

Cutting-edge facilities enable world-class research and study

Facility