Program Requirements

The Master of Science (Advanced) in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics degree requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

48 units must come from the coursework component

48 units must come from the research component

A minimum of 48 units must come from completion of 8000- level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

18 units from completion of courses from the following lists: 

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

BIOL6200 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

STAT6038 Regression Modelling (6 units)

A maximum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

BIOL6035 Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics (6 units)

BIOL6036 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)

A maximum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

COMP6730 Programming for Scientists (6 units)

COMP7230 Introduction to Programming for Data Scientists (6 units)

18 units from completion of Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics elective courses from the following list:

BIOL6004 Ecology (6 units)

BIOL6207 Data Science for Biologists (6 units)

BIOL6243 Bioinformatics and its Applications (6 units)

BIOL8002 Advanced Topics in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics (6 units)

BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills (6 units)

BIOL8700 Research Proposal (12 units)

BIOL8706 Biology Research Proposal (6 units)

COMP6240 Relational Databases (6 units)

COMP6670 Introduction to Machine Learning (6 units)

COMP8410 Data Mining (6 units)

MATH6100 Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling (6 units)

MATH6208 Advanced Mathematical Bioinformatics (6 units)

STAT6039 Principles of Mathematical Statistics (6 units)

STAT7004 Introduction to Stochastic Processes (6 units)

12 units from completion of Science and Society courses from the following list: 

BIOL6191 Bioethics and Society 6 units)

BIOL6194 Biological Sciences in the Workplace (6 units)

BIOL6201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)

BIOL8001 Consulting in Quantitative Biology (6 units)

BIOL8021 Health and Disease in a Changing World (6 units)

ENVS6013 Society and Environmental Change (6 units)

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

SCOM6003 Science in Popular Fiction (6 units)

SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Design and Delivery (6 units)

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

SCOM6029 Cross Cultural Perspectives in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics (6 units)

SCOM6032 Making Modern Science (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

SCNC8000 Science Internship (6 units)

VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity (6 units)

VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World (6 units)

48 units from completion of the following research component:

BIOL8701 Research Project which must be taken twice in consecutive semesters (24+24)

Students must achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark in the first 48 units of courses attempted and have the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project in order to remain in enrolled in the Master of Science (Advanced) in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics. 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.

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 Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics or a Graduate Diploma of Science.

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

Study Options

Admission Requirements

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 discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0, and must include at least 4 courses from the following disciplines: computer science, mathematics, statistics or computational 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 discipline. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Cognate Disciplines: Computer science, mathematics, statistics, biology and computational chemistry

Ranking and English language proficiency: 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. 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. 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 admission requirements and post-admission support

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.

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.

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.

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.

Credit Granted

Cognate Disciplines

Computer science, mathematics, statistics, biology and computational chemistry

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.

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

1. Demonstrate high level knowledge and an understanding of the mathematical, statistical and computational foundations of biological data analysis;

2. Formulate, apply and interpret appropriate quantitative methods to analyse biological data;

3. Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to quantitative biology and bioinformatics;

4. Advise, and provide assistance to others, on the appropriate use and interpretation of techniques for the analysis of biological data;

5. Develop and execute an independent research project that builds on, and extends, knowledge of quantitative biological data analysis;

6. Demonstrate a critical understanding of science in society;

7. 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

Program advice:

For students taking BIOL8706 or BIOL8700, the project must be in the area of quantitative biology.

Progression hurdle:

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.

Course offered by the College of Science and College of Health and Medicine:

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine can be found under current students page on the College website via this link.