Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2020 course information
Award granted	Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Course Map	Trimester 1 2020 course map Trimester 2 2020 course map If you started your course before 2020, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	096753J Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin course code	S772
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

This cutting-edge course provides hands-on experience and knowledge of the latest techniques in biotechnology and bioinformatics research.

Industry connectedness is an integral part of this course and ensures students have opportunities to gain an industry perspective and establish professional networks prior to graduation. Strong industry links ensure that guest lectures from key industry partners are embedded into the curriculum to provide students with an understanding of industry-engaged research and commercialisation in the biotechnology environment. Students also have the opportunity to participate in site visits and have the opportunity to undertake a Research Project in a Biotechnology or Bioinformatics related field.

Throughout the Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics students will also gain experience operating cutting edge analytical equipment (e.g. cell-culture bioreactors similar to those in industrial-scale production facilities) and cover a wide range of emerging topics in biotechnology and, importantly, research management and business skills.

Following successful completion of the course, graduates may choose to pursue further research through a PhD, or seek employment in industry or government roles. Alternatively, students may choose to exit early with a Graduate Certificate of Research Management or Graduate Diploma of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics.

Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.

Indicative student workload

Approximately 150 hours of learning and assessment activities per Deakin credit point.

Students will have access to a range of elective units from a variety of relevant discipline areas across the Faculty and University. This will allow them to tailor a program relevant to their specific interests, subject to academic approval. As a pathway to PhD, the proposed courses have a key component in the form of a research project. The thesis should offer a significant contribution to knowledge in the discipline concerned and demonstrate the student’s capacity to carry out independent research.

Students not wishing to pursue further studies in research will have the opportunity to undertake a 4-credit point industry practice placement during their second year of studies, along with 4 course electives that will allow them to complement their studies with a range of relevant options.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this course, you will be uniquely positioned to commence a PhD or actively pursue research roles in industry, education, government, policy developments and teaching. Depending on your chosen area/s of expertise, you may choose to seek employment as a bioinformatician animal scientist, botanist, chemist, food scientist, material scientist, metallurgist, molecular biologist, communications specialist, researcher or science journalist. Potential employers include CSIRO, government research institutes and departments, private research institutes, health sector, private commercial companies, industrial research companies, universities, schools, agriculture and food sector, local councils and public service.

A biotechnology qualification is also highly relevant and extremely versatile in Research and Development (R&D) roles within both public and private sector research institutes. Many biotech companies engaged in manufacturing employ qualified biotechnologists as manufacturing associates in a supervisory and management capacity. Graduates also have the opportunity to become biotech product specialist and play a valuable role in marketing and selling a variety of biotechnological products ranging from biotech instruments to reagents related to genomics or proteomics. Many biotechnologists are also engaged in the rapidly expanding field of bioinformatics and contribute towards drafting biotech patent applications under the supervision of a patent lawyer.

Participation requirements

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Pathways

Graduates will be uniquely positioned to commence a PhD.

Alternate exits

Graduate Diploma of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (S672) (Exit option only)

Graduate Certificate of Research Management (S521)

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Demonstrate mastery and specialist knowledge through the application of scientific research principles and methodologies in the investigation of recent developments within a chosen field of study; plan and execute a substantial research project to demonstrate a deep understanding and mastery within that scientific field; creatively apply high-level technical and cognitive skills to research activities in a professional and/or academic setting in order to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of scientific methodologies pertinent to a field of study; demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility to argue about characteristics and aspects of scientific research in the advancement of a discipline of science through the application of appropriate hypotheses, laws, facts and theories for investigation, testing, analysis, and evaluation of scientific data.

Communication

Present a reasoned argument that highlights essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions of scientific research in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts; apply listening skills and effective communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer questions from a range of audience and to defend research findings and scientific propositions; interpret the boundaries or limits of scientific information, experimental or field data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments to justify theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions.

Digital literacy

Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate scientific literature in the planning and implementation of research projects; reflect on information, data and results and develop strategies for disseminating research outcomes in a digital world.

Critical thinking

Appraise complex scientific methodologies and information using critical, analytical and logical reasoning from multiple perspectives for evaluating the merits of scientific methodologies, theoretical propositions and practice; formulate research questions to test and/ or contest ideas, concepts and theoretical propositions through an evidence-based well-structured research project.

Problem solving

Plan and implement scientific research investigation by using evidence to identify problems and by applying analysis and synthesis skills, and appropriate scientific methodologies to solve research and / or practice problems; demonstrate complex problem-solving skills by identifying and creating solutions to real world ill-defined problems through scientific inquiry; contribute to advancements in scientific knowledge through mastery in the use of scientific instruments and techniques to device an investigation, and in the collection, interpretation, analysis, synthesis and dissemination of scientific results and conclusion.

Self-management

Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing national and international professional science contexts to develop autonomy as researchers and evaluate own performances; work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices.

Teamwork

Work independently and collaboratively with advice from the supervisor towards achieving the outcomes of a research project and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts.

Global citizenship

Apply scientific knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with the supervisor to articulate the place and importance of scientific inquiry in the local and global context.

Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019

Course rules

To complete the Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, students must attain 16 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 16 credit points, you’ll need to study 16 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 16 credit points, which must include the following:

Year 1 (8 credit points):

Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit)
Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
7 core units (7 credit points)
1 elective unit (1 credit point)

Year 2 (8 credit points):