Industry experience

Students can gain increased awareness and develop the skills required in industry by participating in industry placements, either through self-sourced internships or faculty-sourced internships through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program and the BABS3199 course. Previous students have interned with IT companies, start-ups, large biomedical and biotechnology companies, as well as with Government departments and institutions such as AbbVie, BioFoundry, Cellmid, Chemopharm Sdn Bhd, Continual-G, DSM Food and Beverage, Merck Life Sciences, Monsanto, Neogenix Laboratoire Sdn Bhd, SEALS Microbiology, Synbiote, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Taronga Zoo and Venn Biosciences Corporation. Students have also taken the opportunity to go overseas to complete their placement.

UNSW Student Ambassador Program

The UNSW Student Ambassador Program is aimed at current university students who have a passion for UNSW and would like to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and experiences with prospective students, parents and teachers. 

The Student Ambassador Program is open to both domestic and international undergraduate students. 

This program is accredited by UNSW Advantage, opens in a new window as eligible for recognition on your Australian Higher Graduation Statement (AHEGS, opens in a new window).

Students can also apply for the opportunity to become a UNSW Student Ambassador Program, opens in a new window.

BABS graduates work across a wide range of sectors:

Read more about internship opportunities, access to GradAustralia on-the-job learning modules and other opportunities here. 

Biotechnology students in BABS and UNSW Science are encouraged to participate in internships, industry placements, and relevant national and international programs to gain experience and awareness of career opportunities and build their skills and expertise. To build industry recognised skills, students can consider whether a BABS BSc (Hons) Degree, opens in a new window is relevant for them. 

To experience real world scientific research, students can consider the UNSW Science Vacation Research Scholarships, opens in a new window or apply for BABS3301 Biomolecular Science Laboratory Project (Advanced), opens in a new window. This course is designed to introduce students to research methodology, and to stimulate critical and lateral thinking in the context of problem solving. The course involves directed reading, laboratory work and use of internet resources. Students work on a research project under the supervision of a member of the academic staff. 

Students can either gain work-integrated learning through the formal WIL Program or approach relevant industry organisations informally.

BABS final year students can meet with alumni mentors who are established industry professionals (including BABS alumni). Successful students will be matched with mentors based on criteria such as area of study, industry experience and shared interests. Read more. 

Designed to connect BABS students at different stages of their degrees, this program encourages mentors and mentees to develop a supportive network and facilitate conversation about possibilities in the BABS field. Students wishing to participate can enquire about our Peer Mentoring Program. Visit the BABSOC home page.

SciConnect is a social network platform for all undergraduate Science students, run on MS Teams. Students can connect with peers and get support from other students. Students can also apply for the opportunity to become a SciConnect Student Ambassador, opens in a new window.

Enthusiastic students who would like to build leadership experience can apply to become a Student Course Ambassador in participating BABS courses. This role seeks to improve the student experience by fostering engagement, collaboration and communication between students and staff to facilitate real-time responses to course feedback. In addition, students may have the opportunities to develop skills in critical review and analysis, stakeholder engagement, community-building, marketing and career development. Students who successfully complete a term of contributions as a volunteer Student Course Ambassador will receive a certificate of recognition for their CV.

Interested students can apply by contacting their course convenor to determine if an opportunity is available.

iGEM, opens in a new window is an annual competition that gives students the opportunity to push the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world. Multidisciplinary teams of undergraduate students work together to design, build and test a biological system of their own design using interchangeable biological parts and molecular biology techniques. Every year more than 300 teams from more than 40 countries come together in October to present their research and compete and the annual iGEM Jamboree.

In 2020, the UNSW Team was awarded a Gold Medal and several major prizes. Read more.

Enquire about our 2021 competition.

The Peter Farrell Cup (PFC), now in its 21st year, is UNSW's most prestigious competitive ideas program that is fast-tracking the next generation of entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Helping develop both current UNSW students and Higher Degree candidates, the PFC offers applicants the necessary tools, skills, guidance and support to take their ideas from that initial light bulb moment to test and pitch, and potentially launch a real business!

The PFC culminates in a final pitch competition where participants get the opportunity to win a share of an incredible $20,000 cash prize pool generously contributed by the Farrell Family Foundation to help take their ideas to the next level.

BABS student team have been very successful in past years, placing in almost every year of the Cup. Honorary Associate Professor Wallace Bridge continues to mentor teams. 

Learn more about how to participate in the Peter Farrell Cup. Interested BABS students should enquire today. 

Build your prototyping skills by earning e-badges, such as in Pitching/Public Speaking and Rapid Research or discover Lean Canvas Methodology in a digital workshop. Read more.

New Wave offers UNSW students, staff and alumni who identify as women, at any stage of their journey, access to skills-building workshops, expert masterclasses and industry-leading mentors to form, refine and test their start-up ideas. Read more. 

Startmate’s Student Fellowship, opens in a new window offers university students a two-week peek behind the scenes of what it’s like to work at a start-up and life-long access to Startmate’s community. Student teams work on a project involving a start-up idea, then after the two weeks, join the Startmate community across Australia & New Zealand.

This co-curricular program will take you on a personalised career development journey that you can do alongside your academic courses. You’ll collect professional development badges and earn awards that will help you to prepare for your career, explore different STEM careers and expand your professional network. And importantly, you’ll gain relevant work experience before you graduate.  

STEM Career Launchpad gives you the tools and skills to make informed career choices. It will give you the confidence to take the leap into the workforce and launch your career in the area of STEM that’s right for you. Read more.