Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

All course rules are currently under review and new course rules will apply from 2011.
As a result topic details may change. Further information on the new course structures will be made available by mid-2010.

The fee status of postgraduate courses is under review.

Master of Biotechnology

(MBiotech)

Program of Study

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Biotechnology is a 54-unit program comprising coursework and research leading to a thesis and is offered jointly by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Health Sciences on a fee-paying basis.

COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the student with advanced theoretical scientific knowledge, training and experience in research skills required for independent study at a postgraduate level and an understanding of business management issues required for modern biotechnology.

The coursework component will focus on the scientific principles and current knowledge in the study and implementation of biotechnology while the research component will be a vehicle for independent learning in a specific area of biotechnology that includes the principles of experimental design and analysis, innovation, critical thinking and research data presentation. Specialisations will cover the range of biotechnology and will include agricultural, medical, pharmaceutical, industrial and environmental applications.

Learning outcomes

On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in their science discipline and a range of transferable professional skills. They will have extensive experience at designing and conducting laboratory based research.

Subject knowledge

Graduates of the course are expected to be able to:

• demonstrate advanced theoretical and practical scientific knowledge;
• appreciate business management issues required for modern biotechnology; and
• demonstrate a knowledge of their chosen specialist field.

Transferable professional skills

Graduates of the course are expected to be able to:

• independently design and implement a research project, critically analyse and present the data generated, think critically and innovate;
• communicate and present information clearly and fluently in both written and spoken forms;
• appreciate the need for continuing professional development.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must normally have completed, with a Credit average or better, an approved degree in a biological or medical science at an approved tertiary institution. However, the Biotechnology Examinations Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2009]

To qualify for the Master of Biotechnology, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

Coursework topics

Note: * Students wishing to enrol in this topic over the course of a year, rather than in a single semester, should enrol in two topics listed as Part A and Part B. For example, BTEC9610C BioBusiness Part A and BTEC9610D BioBusiness Part B.

Research topic

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board, the program must be completed full-time in three consecutive semesters or part-time in six consecutive semesters. There is flexibility in the configuration and timing of the coursework topics, including intensive workshop mode.