Master of Biotechnology (coursework or coursework and dissertation) (71580)
The University of Western Australia
About
UWA's admission requirements for some postgraduate courses have changed for Semester 2, 2020 to facilitate student access to study during the COVID-19 situation.
In many cases, these changes may not be extended beyond 2020.
Contact Future Students for more information.Biotechnology is rapidly becoming central to our lives.
Enriched by inputs from genomic research, biotechnology is becoming a major force for development in all countries.
Entwined with culture and socio-ethical values, biotechnology contributes to solving problems like food and water insecurity.
The use of plants, animals and bacteria, enhanced by areas such as genetics and genomics gives rise to new food, fibre and chemical production routes, new strategies for environmental protection and stewardship as well as training the next generation of biomolecular scientists.This is a signature program designed to set us apart from other Universities by offering a thorough grounding in state-of-the-art biotechnology and combining this with training in enterprise and commercialisation.
This includes developing the theory of genetics and molecular biology in parallel with skills training in practical techniques such as next generation genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, genetic engineering methods like CRISPR, and basic and advanced bioinformatics.
Current streams include the application of biotechnology to generate aquatic products, services and energy, for environmental monitoring, protection, food security and reuse of waste, Genetics and Genomics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bioethics and Commercialisation.
An important market advantage stems from the incorporation of commercialisation and enterprise, business planning and company spin out, into the course.This cross-Faculty course draws on the expertise of staff in the UWA Business School, business angels and mentors in biotechnology spin outs to provide the academic and business skills graduates need to make a significant contribution to the biotechnology sector now and into the future.
Graduates will be well positioned to pursue careers in international research laboratories, government agencies as well as the private sector.The core of the course draws on the expertise in Science and Business to provide a basis for skills training in biotechnology and combining this with skills in enterprise and commercialisation.
In the Faculty of Science, key components are provided by the School of Molecular Sciences and UWA School of Agriculture and Environment.
The Business School provides the required skills training in the commercialisation of biotechnological innovation.
Structure
| KEY TO AVAILABILITY OF UNITS: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2020; NS = non-standard teaching period |
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2021 or 2022.
Take all units (24 points):
| AVAILABILITY | UNITCODE | UNITNAME | UNIT REQUIREMENTS | CONTACT HOURS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | MKTG5503 | Enterprise and Innovation | lectures/workshops/seminars: total of 36 hours over 8 weeks | |
| NS | MKTG5604 | Technology Commercialisation | Prerequisites: MKTG5503 Enterprise and Innovation or enrolment in the Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical Engineering specialisation) Incompatibility: MKTG5603 Management of Technology and Innovation | lectures/seminars: 36 hours (12 x 3 hours) |
| S1 | SCIE4001 | Collecting, Analysing and Interpreting Big Data in Biology | Prerequisites: enrolment in Master of Biotechnology (71580) or Master of Health Science (71540) or Master of Biomedical Science (71520) or Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) (62550) or honours in the Faculty of Science | Lectures and Seminars: 27 hours |
| S2 | SCIE5507 | Food Fibre and Fuel Security | Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Biotechnology or the Master of Agricultural Science | lectures, tutorials and/or workshops: 6 hours per week |
Students in course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points.
| AVAILABILITY | UNITCODE | UNITNAME | UNIT REQUIREMENTS | CONTACT HOURS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | BTEC5507 | Biotechnology Literature Review and Research Proposal | Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Biotechnology (71580) (i) a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their UWA undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the master's specialisation; or (ii) a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course; or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; and (iii) a supervisor, approved by the Faculty, who has confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project and (iv) students who were required to complete SCIE4404 Techniques in Molecular Sciences must have achieved a mark of at least 70 per cent in this unit. | Students are advised to attend information sessions as detailed in the unit outline. |
| S1, S2 | BTEC5508 | Biotechnology Research Project Part 1 | Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Biotechnology (71520). Students who want to undertake a research project as an optional unit must have (a) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in a relevant undergraduate major; or (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course. An approved supervisor must have confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project. Co-requisites: BTEC5507 Biotechnology Literature Review and Research Proposal | a 3-day block, a 1-day block and a 2-day block, plus independent project work and consultation with supervisor |
| S1, S2 | BTEC5509 | Biotechnology Research Project Part 2 | Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Biotechnology (71520). Students who want to undertake a research project as an optional unit must have (a) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in a relevant undergraduate major; or (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course. An approved supervisor must have confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project. Co-requisites: BTEC5508 Biotechnology Research Project Part 1 | independent project work and consultation with supervisor |
| S1, S2 | BTEC5510 | Biotechnology Research Project Part 3 | Co-requisites: BTEC5509 Biotechnology Research Project Part 2 | independent project work and consultation with supervisor |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Entry requirements
4.(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology specialisation an applicant must have—
(a) successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Biochemistry, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA; and
(b) successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Molecular Biology, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology specialisation, an applicant must have successfully completed Chemistry ATAR, or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Genetics and Genomics specialisation, an applicant must have successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Genetics, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(5) For the AQUAtech specialistion an applicant must have successfully completed Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
Institution
