Molecular Life Sciences (Extended Major)

The Molecular Life Sciences extended major will help you develop a scientific understanding of the biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics of all living organisms. By understanding how molecules are organised and interact in living cells, you'll also gain the tools to improve our quality of life. This may be through the development of new vaccines or advances in drought-resistant crops.

UWA is Western Australia's top ranked University, and is also one of the Group of Eight leading research universities in Australia. UWA's biological disciplines, including those that comprise the molecular life sciences, are particularly renowned nationally and internationally and rank amongst the world's best 100 in their subject area.

A bachelor's degree in Molecular Life Sciences from UWA would be highly recognised amongst employers in the biosciences. Career options include agricultural consultancy, biotechnology, drug development, food production and quality control, fermentation industries and chemical production. Life scientists find jobs in diagnostic laboratories in hospitals, veterinary health, toxicology and allied health fields. Opportunities beyond the laboratory include education, patent law and policy-making, as well as in agriculture and the environment, sales and marketing for medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge of living systems, molecular life scientists find work as journalists and science communicators. A degree in Molecular Life Sciences is also an ideal launchpad for specialised postgraduate courses in bioinformatics, synthetic biology or forensics. Finally, many careers in the molecular life sciences benefit from further study towards a higher degree by research, so that graduates can reach more senior positions in research and development, whether in academia or in industry.

There are numerous companies and institutions in diverse industries that seek molecular life scientists in Western Australia (indicated by *), nationally and internationally:

* Pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Pfizer*, CSL, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline, EvansPetersen Healthcare)
* Biotechnology companies (e.g. Dimerix*, PYC Therapeutics*, Orthocell*, Novozyme, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche, Merck)
* Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest*, Safe Work Laboratories*)
* Biochemical/protein analytical laboratories (e.g. Proteomics International*)
* 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