Biotechnology

The Master of Biotechnology is a graduate coursework program that provides a pathway for science graduates with background knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology and chemistry to acquire new knowledge, or extend and update their theoretical and practical understanding of modern biotechnology. Throughout the program, students have many opportunities to interface with scientists who are advancing research in areas of biochemistry and molecular biology in the biomedical, animal and plant sciences.

Career Options

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. apply their knowledge in biotechnology to new problems;
2. interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to biotechnology;
3. demonstrate basic laboratory skills that are commonly used in biotechnology research;
4. communicate own research work to peers and research scientists; and
5. clearly present theory and results in both written and oral formats.

The Master of Biotechnology requires the completion of 96 units which must consist of:

36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL6162 Molecular Gene Technology

BIOL8700 Research Proposal

BIOL8702 Advanced Research Techniques

BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills

A maximum of 60 units may be chosen from the following 6000 level courses:

BIOL6006 Principles of Genetics

BIOL6106 Biosecurity

BIOL6107 Advances in Medical and Plant Biochemistry

BIOL6141 Infection and Immunity

BIOL6142 General Microbiology

BIOL6243 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics

BIOL6144 Molecular Immunology

BIOL6161 Genes: Replication and Expression

BIOL6163 Genomics and its Applications

BIOL6171 Biochemistry and Nutrition

BIOL6174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease

BIOL6177 Advances in Molecular Plant Science

BIOL6191 Biology, Society and Ethics

MATH6100 Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling

MATH6208 Topics in Bioinformatics

LAWS6504 Principles of Intellectual Property

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity

A maximum of 12 units may be chosen from 6000-level or 8000-level from the following subject areas:

CHEM   Chemistry

SCOM  Scientific Communication

NEUR   Neuroscience

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with an average mark of at least 70% and at least eight courses in cognate disciplines and two courses in the field of chemistry.

All applicants must meet the University's English Language Admission Requirements for Students

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate disciplines

Biological chemistry, biomedical sciences, molecular genetics and plant sciences.

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

Students have the option of applying to transfer to the Master of Biotechnology (Adv) and undertaking a 48 unit research project if they satisfy the following requirements:

• achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the initial 48 units of coursework

• have the approval of an identified supervisor, and 

• have completed compulsory courses in the Master Biotechnology (Advanced) 

Students who have completed 48 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Students who have completed 24 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Certificate of Science.