Program Requirements
The Master of Science (Advanced) in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics degree requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:
12 units from completion of Science in Society courses from the following list:
BIOL8001 Consulting in Quantitative Biology
BIOL6191 Biology, Society and Ethics
BIOL6201 Big Questions in Biology
BIOL8021 Health and Disease in a Changing World
18 units from completion of courses from the following list:
A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
BIOL6200 Introduction to Quantitative Biology
STAT6038 Regression Modelling
A maximum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
BIOL6035 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics
BIOL6036 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology
A maximum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
COMP6730 Programming for Scientists
COMP7230 Introduction to programming for Data Scientists
18 units from completion of Foundations in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics courses from the following list:
BIOL8002 Advanced Topics in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills
COMP6240 Relational Databases
MATH6100 Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling
STAT6039 Principles of Mathematical Statistics
48 units from completion of BIOL8701 Research Project which must be taken twice in consecutive semesters
Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 48 units of courses attempted in order to commence BIOL8701 Research Project.
Students who do not achieve a minimum of 70% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
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.
Capstone Courses
[BIOL8701]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 at least 5.5/7.0, with at least 8 courses in a cognate area.
Cognate Disciplines
Computer science, mathematics, statistics, biology and computational chemistry
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.
Further information: English Language Requirements for Admission
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.
Cognate Disciplines
Computer science, mathematics, statistics, biology and computational chemistry
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $32,840.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $46,910.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Fee Information
All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)
The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.
For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments
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.
The Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics is a 2 year full-time (or equivalent part-time) degree that provides students with experience in the use of methods and tools to organise and analyse biological data: statistically, mathematically and computationally. The course caters to a range of students including (1) students who have come from an undergraduate biological degree, by providing the appropriate mathematical and programming skills; (2) to students with a more quantitative undergraduate background, by providing the necessary background in biology and biological data and analyses. Students also have the opportunity to learn about, and apply, techniques in client engagement and the real-world practice of consulting. Finally, students will develop work on an original research project that builds on, and applies, their knowledge of quantitative biological data analysis.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
The Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics (Advanced) will give you the skills to pursue career paths in a variety of areas. These could include medical research, genetic testing, government policy, public health, agricultural science, software development and pharmaceutical development.
The Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics (Advanced) can also lead to a PhD.
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of the mathematical and computational foundations of biological data analysis;
Formulate and apply appropriate quantitative methods to analyse biological data;
Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to quantitative biology and bioinformatics;
Advise, and provide assistance to others, on the appropriate use of techniques for the analysis of biological data;
Develop and execute an independent research project that builds on, and extends, knowledge of quantitative biological data analysis;
Demonstrate a critical understanding of science in society;
Clearly communicate 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 program.
Further Information
This program has a progression hurdle that must be satisfied in order to progress to the research project: 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. A condition of supervisor approval is that the research project is feasible and it should be noted that the majority of research projects will require on campus attendance.
Academic Advice
The first step to enrolling in your new program is to seek academic advice in order to discuss the courses you will be studying. This is done by making an appointment to meet with the program convener (details below).
Your academic advice session is a great opportunity to discuss with the convener the direction in which you want your studies to go. The convener will be able to advise you about course selection and content of courses that you will undertake as part of your program. Ideally you should bring along a copy of your academic record/academic transcripts as these will greatly assist your convener when giving you course advice.
To book an appointment you can:
Email: rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au
Phone: 02 6125 1070
Please also bring along your Planning Your Program document that is available from the enrolment website and your Postgraduate coursework checklist for new students. These documents will help you plan your degree and assist you with finalising your enrolment.
Further enrolment information can also be found here.
An indicative list of courses offered by Science can be found here.
Please follow each step and read through the additional information in the pdf guides, especially the ISIS enrolment guide in Step 2 and the How to enrol guide for new students in Step 3.
If you have any issues enrolling yourself through ISIS please contact us on 02 6125 2809 or email science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
