Master of Biotechnology specialisation in Biotechnology

Biotechnology has traditionally encompassed industrial microbiology, and dealt with ancient processes such as brewing or the microbial production of cheese and yoghurt. In the last few years, however, an avalanche of genetic and protein information has been discovered, with equally impressive advances in transgenic and animal cloning technologies.
In this light, biotechnology has broadened its scope and is poised to make significant impacts on our health and nutrition, and how we interact with our environment.
Our graduates are highly sought after by employers in industry and government agencies, and our staff are recipients of both national and international research funding and awards and feature regularly in scientific communications and social media.

Postgraduate study in Biotechnology provides the necessary academic background for entry into the exciting and emerging biotechnology industry.
Alongside the development of advanced practical knowledge of biotechnology and molecular genetic technologies that are the foundation of modern biotechnology, you will learn about the commercial exploitation of living organisms or their components (such as proteins), and develop your ability to communicate and translate scientific research.

Areas of research interests open to exploration include:
- Aspects of medical technology
- Computing
- Downstream processing and protein purification
- Fermentation technology
- Managing technology
- The social, legal and ethical place of biotechnology in society

Biotechnology is at the forefront of the knowledge economy, and is an excellent subject if you’re interested in the commercialisation of cutting-edge science.
Our graduates are likely to begin their careers as technical and research assistants within fundamental and applied research programmes in biotechnology companies, Crown Research Institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and universities and diagnostic facilities in medicine and agriculture.

Jobs related to Biotechnology:
- Clinical research associate
- Epidemiologist
- Healthcare scientist (genomics, immunology)
- Physician associate
- Plant breeder/ geneticist
- Research scientist (life sciences, medical)
- Science writer

Complete 180 points comprising:

30 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
15 points from Biological Sciences Elective Courses, and
Either:
135 points for Dissertation Option, or
135 points for Coursework only Option

Compulsory Courses

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

BIOSCI 761 - Research Practice - Level 9 (15 points)

SCIENT 703 - Frontiers in Biotechnology - Level 9 (15 points)

Biological Sciences Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

BIOSCI 701 - Practical Approaches in Genomics - Level 9 (15 points)

BIOSCI 704 - Practical Applications of Cell Analysis - Level 9 (15 points)

BIOSCI 768 - Practical Gene Editing in Plants – Level 9 (15 points)

Dissertation Option

Complete 135 points comprising:

45 points from Elective Courses, and
30 points for Additional Elective Courses at 700 Level, and
Either:
60 points for all Dissertation - 1 Semester, or
60 points for all Dissertation - 2 Semesters

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 45 points from the following:

BIOSCI 700 - Phylogenetics (15 points)

BIOSCI 701 - Practical Approaches in Genomics - Level 9 (15 points)

BIOSCI 702 - Modelling Biological Processes (15 points)

BIOSCI 704 - Practical Applications of Cell Analysis - Level 9 (15 points)

BIOSCI 736 - Synthetic Biology (15 points)

BIOSCI 737 - High Resolution Imaging of Biological Molecules (15 points)

BIOSCI 738 - Advanced Biological Data Analysis (15 points)

BIOSCI 741 - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (15 points)

BIOSCI 746 - The Molecular Machinery of The Cell (15 points)

BIOSCI 749 - Microbiomes (15 points)

BIOSCI 751 - Plant-microbial Interactions (15 points)

BIOSCI 752 - Applied Plant Biotechnology (15 points)

BIOSCI 755 - Genomics and Gene Expression (15 points)

BIOSCI 757 - Molecular Form, Function and Design (15 points)

BIOSCI 758 - Development, Differentiation and Disease (15 points)

BIOSCI 759 - Cell and Molecular Biomedicine (15 points)

BIOSCI 764 - Human Virology (15 points)

BIOSCI 765 - Translating Biomedical Science into Therapeutic Strategies (15 points)

BIOSCI 768 - Practical Gene Editing in Plants – Level 9 (15 points)

CHEM 738 - Biomolecular Chemistry (15 points)

Additional Elective Courses at 700 Level

Complete 30 points comprising:

0 to 30 points from SCIFAC - Faculty of Science Courses, and
0 to 30 points from MEDFAC - Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Courses

Selected courses must include exactly 30 points at level 700.

Dissertation - 1 Semester

Complete 60 points for ALL of the following:

BIOTECH 793 - Dissertation - Level 9 (60 points)

Dissertation - 2 Semesters

Complete 60 points for ALL of the following:

BIOTECH 793A - Dissertation - Level 9 (30 points)

BIOTECH 793B - Dissertation - Level 9 (30 points)

Coursework only Option

Complete 135 points comprising:

90 points from Elective Courses, and
45 points for Additional Elective Courses at 700 Level

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 90 points from the following:

BIOSCI 700 - Phylogenetics (15 points)

BIOSCI 701 - Practical Approaches in Genomics - Level 9 (15 points)

BIOSCI 702 - Modelling Biological Processes (15 points)

BIOSCI 704 - Practical Applications of Cell Analysis - Level 9 (15 points)

BIOSCI 736 - Synthetic Biology (15 points)

BIOSCI 737 - High Resolution Imaging of Biological Molecules (15 points)

BIOSCI 738 - Advanced Biological Data Analysis (15 points)

BIOSCI 741 - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (15 points)

BIOSCI 746 - The Molecular Machinery of The Cell (15 points)

BIOSCI 749 - Microbiomes (15 points)

BIOSCI 751 - Plant-microbial Interactions (15 points)

BIOSCI 752 - Applied Plant Biotechnology (15 points)

BIOSCI 755 - Genomics and Gene Expression (15 points)

BIOSCI 757 - Molecular Form, Function and Design (15 points)

BIOSCI 758 - Development, Differentiation and Disease (15 points)

BIOSCI 759 - Cell and Molecular Biomedicine (15 points)

BIOSCI 764 - Human Virology (15 points)

BIOSCI 765 - Translating Biomedical Science into Therapeutic Strategies (15 points)

CHEM 738 - Biomolecular Chemistry (15 points)

BIOSCI 768 - Practical Gene Editing in Plants – Level 9 (15 points)

Additional Elective Courses at 700 Level

Complete 45 points comprising:

0 to 45 points from SCIFAC - Faculty of Science Courses, and
0 to 45 points from MEDFAC - Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Courses

Selected courses must include exactly 45 points at level 700.

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