Denghao Wu

Country: China 
Degree: Bachelor of Biotechnology
Faculty: Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Why did you choose to study at the University of Adelaide? 

I chose to study at the University of Adelaide as it holds a reputation of being one of the best higher education institutions in Australia, where I as a student will be able to access world-class education and facilities, as well as having the advantage of being located conveniently in the city centre of Adelaide, which is easily accessible for me.

How do you think a degree from The University of Adelaide will assist your future career?

A degree from the University of Adelaide will give me an edge in my future career as the education is oriented towards the student learning experience, and focuses on both future research and industry pathways for future graduates. My degree offers valuable access to leaders in the field of study, as well as vast resources such as online literature libraries and mentors on campus to guide me through my studies.

Why did you choose your degree? 

I chose the Bachelor of Biotechnology degree as I enjoy the field of study in biology and am interested in pursuing a career in the biotechnology industry. I think the field of biotechnology holds a very promising future for students, as there are a lot of opportunities for both research and industry, and I believe a degree from the University of Adelaide will assist me in wanting to be involved in this field. 

What do you enjoy about your degree/time at uni? 

I enjoy the self-learning study style that the university has to offer for students. This allows me to be more flexible with my timetabling and encourages better time organisation. I also enjoy involvements in clubs and faculty of science projects, such as the Science Network Committee and the University of Adelaide Science Association, as these give me the opportunity to practice organisational and communication skills, as well as meeting staff and other students from the same or different disciplines as mine.

Tell us about the unique attributes of your degree

The Bachelor of Biotechnology degree is a mixture of biological sciences and one course per year biotechnology class. The biotechnology class is very interesting as it is a cross-discipline class allowing students to learn the basics of microbiological fermentation, plant cultivation, viticulture, biotechnology company structure, biotechnology patenting, and chemical engineering processes such as bioreactor design and product recovery. These biotechnology classes make my degree unique as it better prepares students for a career in industry and familiarises them with real-world biotechnology problems they will likely face after graduation.

What do you hope to do in the future?

I would like to continue into an Honours program after graduating from my Bachelor degree, this will allow me to know if I will enjoy a research career in the field of biotechnology, and hence I will be able to make better career planning based on my experience with the Honours project.

What are your top 3 favourite things about being a university student? 

1. being able to meet and interact with new people both on and off-campus, such as at club events or casually studying in the hub, and thus making friends with similar interests as me over the time of my degree.
2. having the freedom of choosing what electives interest me, then thinking about how this will help broaden my skillset after I have graduated from my degree. 
3. there are always fun and interesting events happening on campus, most of which are free or very cheap. I also enjoy using my uni student discount to its fullest potential.

What are your top 3 tips for new students thinking about coming to University? 

1. time organisation is key to having a smooth and successful time at university. This is different from high school as not everything too planned out for you, therefore learning how to use your time effectively is important, and you should adapt to a study routine at university as soon as possible.
2. always be open to ask questions and feel free to contact staff if you have any problems. The staff are always very helpful and will likely help solve any problems you may have. Developing good relationships and contacts with staff members will ensure a smooth time during your studies at university.
3. it is okay to find that you may not enjoy a certain course or a degree. There are different academic/census dates if you feel like something just isn’t for you, and would like to drop a class to pick up another one. Don’t be scared to talk to members at the faculty about a change in degrees too, they are there to help you pick out a study pathway that best suit you.

What was the best piece of advice you received about adapting to university life/study? 

There may be sometimes when things get a bit overwhelming at university, don’t panic and start writing a list to prioritise your tasks, this is a good way to keep productive and focus on the important things at hand. Follow that list and you may just find that things are not as bad as you thought. There are also times when you feel like there is little to do, this is a good chance for you to check your study schedule, revise and get on top of things while you can. Overall, time management is the key to making your time at university as enjoyable as possible.