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Master of Science (Biotechnology)

Z012  055216G



Duration

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Fee*
2 Year/s Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) A$23,200 (annual for 2012) 
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

This program aims to provide advanced education in biotechnology and to prepare students for undertaking diverse types of careers in this field, e.g. medicine and health, agriculture, pharmaceutical and environmental industries, biotechnology businesses, as well as the education sector. The program is specifically aimed at students who have a first degree in basic biological or chemical sciences e.g. botany, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, agriculture, veterinary science, but little prior education in biotechnology.
 
The program aims to provide in-depth studies of the key areas of biotechnology, including molecular biology, bioinformatics, medical, industrial, forensic and agricultural biotechnology, and the diverse applications of these areas, hence a prior degree or experience in biotechnology is not essential. The program is structured to provide flexible options that allow students to undertake studies to their desired level and focus on their field of interest, by choosing appropriate exit points, elective units and research project topics.
 
The Master of Science (Biotechnology) is part of a nested program that incorporates the Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology).

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The biotechnology programs are designed to develop:

* introduction to the basic theoretical principles and experimental skills in biotechnology for the graduate diploma level, and mastery of the advanced theoretical principles, experimental techniques and applications of biotechnology for the master level;
* a sound and practical knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices in biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology and chemistry, which are the foundations of biotechnological developments;
* an understanding of the diversity of medical and industrial practices through which laboratory discoveries are applied on a wider scale;
* a sound understanding of the social context in which biotechnology is applied;
* an appreciation of the legislation that regulates biotechnology activities;
* an appreciation of the moral, ethical, legal and social issues and values in relation to professional practices in biotechnology;
* flexibility of thought, independence as well as teamwork, safe laboratory practices, record-keeping skills;
* sound professional skills and attitude;
* advanced communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.

For the master level, students gain additional skills in:

* information gathering, evaluation of published information, critical analysis of data;
* experimental design, problem-solving;
* preparing results for peer-evaluation publication through written reports/minor thesis, journal articles and/or presentations at conferences.

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The master degree requires students to successfully complete 200 credit points of approved units of study which is equivalent to two years of full-time study. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. For full-time study, students must be enrolled for 50 credit points per semester. For part-time study, students must be enrolled for 25 credit points per semester.* Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials and laboratory sessions, will normally be between 12 to 16 hours per week during the academic semesters.

The master degree is based mainly on coursework and also includes a minor research project.  The program structure is comprised of nine core units of study (equivalent to 112.5 credit points) and electives (equivalent to 87.5 credit points).
 
Electives are to be approved by the Program Coordinator, depending on your previous education, to accommodate appropriate level of study. The Program Panel has the authority to approve additional elective studies for particular students.
 
*International students are required to study full-time.

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Program structure from 2011:

Core units of study (all units are valued at 12.5 credit points)
HES6518 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology II

Electives (all units are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise indicated)
HES6509 Major Research Project (25 credit points)
NB: All units of study are subject to enrolment quotas and timetabling availability. Electives are to be approved by the Program Coordinator, depending on your previous education, to accommodate appropriate level of study. The Program Panel has the authority to approve additional elective studies for particular students.

Suggested progression for full-time students from 2011 (February entry)
Semester 1
HES6501 Concepts of Biotechnology
Plus one elective at the value of 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
HES6503 Experimental Biotechnology
HES6506 Minor Research Project
Plus two electives at the value of 12.5 credit points each
Semester 3
HES6507 Advanced Biochemistry
Plus two electives at the value of 12.5 credit points each
Semester 4
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
Plus elective(s) to the value of 25 credit points

Suggested progression for full-time students from 2011 (August entry)
Semester 1
HES6501 Concepts of Biotechnology
Plus one elective at the value of 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
HES6504 Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
HES6506 Minor Research Project
Plus two electives at the value of 12.5 credit points each
Semester 3
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
HES6518 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology II
Plus two electives at the value of 12.5 credit points each
Semester 4
HES6507 Advanced Biochemistry
HES6508 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
Plus elective(s) to the total value of 25 credit points
 
Electives (all units are valued at 12.5 credit points  unless otherwise indicated)
NB: All units of study are subject to enrolment quotas and timetabling availability. Electives are to be approved by the Program Coordinator, depending on your previous education, to accommodate appropriate level of study. The Program Panel has the authority to approve additional elective studies for particular students.

Suggested progression for full-time students prior to 2011 (February entry)
Semester 1
HES6501 Concepts of Biotechnology
HES6502 The Microbial World
HES6503 Experimental Biotechnology
Plus one elective at the value of 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
HES6504 Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
HES6506 Minor Research Project
Plus one elective at the value of 12.5 credit points
Semester 3
HES6507 Advanced Biochemistry
HES6508 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
Plus elective(s) to the value of 25 credit points 
Semester 4
Plus electives to the value of  37.5 credit points
 
Suggested progression for full-time students prior to 2011 (August entry)
Semester 1
HES6501 Concepts of Biotechnology 
HES6504 Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
Plus one elective at the value of 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
HES6502 The Microbial World
HES6503 Experimental Biotechnology 
HES6506 Minor Research Project     
Plus one elective at the value of 12.5 credit points
Plus electives to the value of 37.5 credit points
Semester 4
Plus elective(s) to the value of 25 credit points

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Medical laboratory scientists, scientific officers or research and development scientists in diverse fields including, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, diagnostic services and pathology services, pharmaceutical industries, forensic science laboratories, veterinary science, racing industry, agribusinesses, wine industry and breweries, biotechnology businesses, food technologists, quality assurance officers, occupational health and safety officers, scientific sales representatives/ executives, associates to patent attorneys, staff with science publishers, newspaper writers in this field, also PhD students in any of the above fields.

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Graduates will be eligible to apply for membership of a number of professional associations and societies, in fields such as biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology and genetics. These professional associations and societies include: AusBiotech Ltd, Genetics Society of Australia (GSA), Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) and The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

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Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/

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Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level certificate at the postgraduate level (EAP 5: PG-70%); OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 575 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 232 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 90 with no band less than 20.

 

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

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A three year Bachelor of Science degree in a biological or chemical science (e.g. biology, botany, zoology, agriculture, forestry, health sciences, veterinary science, chemistry) with an average of 60% marks over the three years, or successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology), or equivalent.

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A three year Bachelor of Science degree in a biological or chemical science (e.g., biology, botany, zoology, agriculture, forestry, health sciences, veterinary science, chemistry) with an average of 60% marks over the three years, or successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology), or equivalent.

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Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.internationalstudent.info/

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au

Phone:
+61 3 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

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Visit our Meet Us page to see when we are visiting your home country (or here in Australia).

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A range of scholarships are available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.

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