Program Requirements

The Master of Biotechnology (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

48 units from completion of the following coursework component:

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BIOL6162 Molecular Gene Technology

BIOL8702 Advanced Research Techniques

 A minimum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills

BIOL8700 Research Proposal

BIOL8704 Biology Literature Research Project

 A maximum of 18 units from completion of courses from the following list:

BIOL6006 Genetics

BIOL6106 Biosecurity

BIOL6107 Advances in Medical and Plant Biochemistry

BIOL6108 Hallmarks of Cancer

BIOL6117 Cell Biology

BIOL6141 Infection and Immunity

BIOL6142 General Microbiology

BIOL6144 Advanced and Applied 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

BIOL6204 Genetics of Human Disease 1

BIOL6205 Genetics of Human Disease 2

BIOL6243 Bioinformatics and Genomics

LAWS6504 Principles of Intellectual Property

MATH6100 Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling

MATH6208 Advanced Mathematical Bioinformatics

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity

 A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses 6000- and 8000-level courses from the following subject areas:

CHEM Chemistry

NEUR Neuroscience

SCOM Science Communication

48 units from completion of the following research component:

Either:

48 units from completion of BIOL8701 Research Project, which must be undertaken twice, in consecutive periods

 Or:

48 units from completion of MEDN8701 Medical Research Project, which must be undertaken twice, in consecutive periods

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the coursework component and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to continue to the research component.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark or do not have the approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Master of Biotechnology.

Master Research

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. 

Master Research Training

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. 

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0, with at least 8 courses in a cognate area, including a minimum of 2 courses in chemistry. 

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 8 courses in a cognate area. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

Students must achieve a minimum 70% average mark in the first 48 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project. Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% average mark in the first 48 units of coursework or have the approval of the supervisor for the research project will be transferred to the Master of Biotechnology program.

Cognate Disciplines

Biochemistry, molecular biology and gene technology

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. 

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0. 

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. 

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency. 

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Diversity factors

As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

 Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

Applications for course credit

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

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

Cognate Disciplines

Biochemistry, molecular biology and gene technology

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply 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.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Employment Opportunities

The Master of Biotechnology provides a pathway for science graduates with background knowledge in biochemistry molecular biology and chemistry to acquire new knowledge, or extend and update your theoretical and practical understanding of modern biotechnology. 

You’ll be prepared to carry out research in basic, medical or agricultural sciences in university, industry or government research institutions. Opportunities exist in scientific, pharmaceutical and pathology companies, or in government and public service positions.

Completing a Master of Biotechnology (Advanced), with a research component, can also lead to a PhD.

Learning Outcomes

1.     Demonstrate high level knowledge in the area of biotechnology;

2.     Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to biotechnology;

3.     Perform experimental work, interpret and analyse results, write reports and collate data into a thesis;

4.     Clearly present theory and results in both written and oral formats.

Research Strengths

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. 

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this programme.

Further Information

New students in this program are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Visit the following website for further information: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/scholarships/graduate-commonwealth-supported-places .

An indicative list of courses offered by Science can be found here