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.

Core units of study (all units are valued at 12.5 credit points)

HES6501 Concepts of Biotechnology
HES6502 The Microbial World
HES6503 Experimental Biotechnology
HES6504 Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
HES6506 Minor Research Project
HES6507 Advanced Biochemistry
HES6508 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
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)
HES6510 Biotechnology
HES6511 Environmental Biotechnology
HES6512 Forensic and Analytical Science
HES6513 Research Skills
HES6514 Microbes in the Environment
HES6515 Applications of Bioinformatics
HES6516 Environmental Management
HES6517 Communicable Disease Control
HES6519 Bioanalytical Techniques
HMS770 Statistical Practice 1 (online unit)
HAH401 Critical Thinking
HES6401 International Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Assurance
HES6402 Good Manufacturing Practices for Manufacturing Operations
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
HES6502 The Microbial World
HES6504 Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
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
HES6508 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
Plus two electives at the value of 12.5 credit points each
Semester 4
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
HES6518 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology II
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
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
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

Program structure prior to 2011:

Core units of study (all units are valued at 12.5 credit points) 
HES6501 Concepts of Biotechnology
HES6502 The Microbial World
HES6503 Experimental Biotechnology
HES6504 Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
HES6505 Genome: Biotechnology and Society
HES6506 Minor Research Project
HES6507 Advanced Biochemistry
HES6508 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
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)
HES6510 Biotechnology
HES6511 Environmental Biotechnology
HES6512 Forensic and Analytical Science
HES6513 Research Skills
HES6514 Microbes in the Environment
HES6515 Applications of Bioinformatics
HES6516 Environmental Management
HES6517 Communicable Disease Control
HES6519 Bioanalytical Techniques
HMS770 Statistical Practice 1
HAH401 Critical Thinking
HES6401 International Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Assurance
HES6402 Good Manufacturing Practices for Manufacturing Operations
HES6403 Validation Principles
Good Quality Control Laboratory Practices (HES6404)
HES6405 Contamination Control  
HES6406 Process Development for Therapeutics (A) – A Perspective for Protein Therapeutics
HES6407 Process Development for Therapeutics (B) – A Perspective for Small Molecules
HES6408 Process Development for Therapeutics (C) – A Perspective for Medical Devices
HES6409 Validation Practices
HES6410 Good Laboratory Practices (for Non-Clinical Laboratories)
HES6411 Computer Systems Validation Principles
HES6412 Computer Systems Validation Practices
HES6413 Good Aseptic Practices and Sterile Products
HES6414 Clinical Trials Quality Assurance Management
HES6415 GxP and Quality Auditing Practices
HES6416 Pharmaceutical Engineering – Facility, Equipment and Process Design 
HES6418 Chemical Analysis of Pharmaceuticals

HES6423 Process Development for Therapeutics (D) – Perspective for Pharmaceutical Finished Dose Forms
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
HES6518 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology II
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
Semester 3
HES6518 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology II
Plus electives to the value of 37.5 credit points
Semester 4
HES6508 Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
HES6507 Advanced Biochemistry
Plus elective(s) to the value of 25 credit points

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.

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.