Biological Sciences

COURSES OFFERED
The following courses are available:

Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science - Research (Biological Sciences)
Master of Science - Research (Biotechnology)
Master of Science (Biotechnology)
Master of Science (Biological Sciences)
Master of Science (Forest Conservation and Management)
Graduate Diploma in Science (Biological Sciences)
Graduate Certificate in Forest Conservation and Management

CURRENT RESEARCH AREAS
The following areas of research are available to candidates undertaking the Doctor of Philosophy and the Master of Science Research:

1. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

PhD candidates undertake in-depth research in order to make an original contribution to the body of knowledge in Biological Sciences. This qualification can lead to, or enhance, an academic career.

Entry requirements
Honours degree of at least four years' duration in a relevant discipline at Class II, Division 2 or higher (or equivalent).

Candidates for this degree enrol in BIOL999 (Major Thesis) and undertake a research project in one of the areas listed above. Intending students should first contact the Postgraduate Coordinator in the Department of Biological Sciences (Dr Sharon Robinson).


2. MASTER OF SCIENCE - RESEARCH (BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)

The Master of Science - Research (Biological Sciences), is a research-based degree, examined principally by thesis. The objective of this degree is to provide a grounding in experimental biological research.

Entry to the degree requires a Bachelor degree of at least three years duration with a major study in Biological Sciences (or equivalent qualification or work experience).

The course consists of 72 credit points to be completed in a maximum time of 2 years (4 sessions) as follows

1. 24 credit points chosen from sections A and B of the Schedule of Postgraduate Subjects (listed below). Students will only be enrolled in subjects in section B where an appropriate supervisor and topic have been identified. For further information, consult research interests of particular staff members at:
http:/www.uow.edu.au/science/boil/bioresearch.html and contact the Masters Coordinator.

2. a 48 credit point research project, BIOL999 Major Thesis

Graduates entering the degree who hold a Bachelor degree with Honours at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or higher may be given advanced standing for the 24 cp of coursework, but are required to complete the 48 credit point BIOL999 Major Thesis.

Students entering the degree with qualifications below Honours Class II, Division 2 must complete subjects which aggregate to not less than 72 credit points. These will consist of at least 48 credit points of research obtained by completing the subject BIOL999 Major Thesis. Prior to undertaking BIOL999, students will complete 24cp of 900-level Biology subjects to provide appropriate background in relevant techniques (see (1) above). The combination of subjects must be approved by the Masters Coordinator.

Section A
Autumn session only

Or 900 level subjects from other units, subject to the approval of the Heads of those units and the Masters Coordinator.

NB. Students cannot enrol in a subject where they have completed the equivalent 300 level subjects at this University.

Section B
Autumn or Spring session

3. MASTER OF SCIENCE - RESEARCH (BIOTECHNOLOGY)

The Master of Science - Research (Biotechnology) is a research-based degree, examined principally by thesis. The objective of this degree is to provide a grounding in experimental biological research.

Entry to the degree requires a Bachelor degree of at least three years duration with a major study in Biological Sciences (or equivalent qualification or work experience).

The course consists of 72 credit points to be completed in a maximum time of 2 years (4 sessions) as follows

1. 24 credit points chosen from sections C (below) and B (above). Students will only be enrolled in subjects in section B where an appropriate supervisor and topic have been identified. For further information, consult research interests of particular staff members at
http:/www.uow.edu.au/science/boil/bioresearch.html and contact the Biotechnology Masters Coordinator (Dr Ren Zhang).

2. a 48 credit point research project research project (BIOL999 Major Thesis)

Graduates entering the degree who hold a Bachelor degree with Honours at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or higher may be given advanced standing for the 24 cp of coursework, but are required to complete the 48 credit point BIOL999 Major Thesis.

Students entering the degree with qualifications below Honours Class II, Division 2 must complete subjects which aggregate to not less than 72 credit points. These will consist of at least 48 credit points of research obtained by completing the subject BIOL999 Major Thesis. Prior to undertaking BIOL999, students will complete 24cp of 900-level Biology subjects to provide appropriate background in relevant techniques. The combination of subjects must be approved by the Biotechnology Masters Coordinator.

Section C
Autumn session only

Or 900 level subjects from other academic units subject to the approval of the Heads of those units and the Masters Coordinator.

NB. Students cannot enrol in a subject where they have completed the equivalent 300 level subjects at this University.

4. MASTER OF SCIENCE (BIOTECHNOLOGY)

(This is a fee-paying course only)

The Master of Science (Biotechnology) will produce graduates with up-to-date knowledge and technological expertise in specific areas of Cell and Molecular Biology, which are the basis for modern biotechnological research and development. Coursework to a value of at least 48 credit points is required.

Entry into the course normally requires a Bachelors degree with Honours at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or above in an appropriate discipline, or an appropriate Graduate Diploma in Science (Biological Sciences) completed at a satisfactory standard.

Candidates for the Master of Science (Biotechnology) will undertake the following:

The Master of Science (Biological Sciences) is designed for applicants in education and industry who seek further knowledge and skills in biological sciences or who seek to qualify for a postgraduate research degree.

Entry into the degree requires a 3-year degree in biological life sciences or other relevant discipline from an accredited tertiary institution.

Candidates for the Master of Science (Biological Sciences) complete coursework to the value of 48 credit points chosen from Section A (see above). Subjects from Section B of the Schedule may be substituted after consultation with the Masters Coordinator.

6. MASTER OF SCIENCE (FOREST CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT)

(This is a fee-paying course only)

This Masters program includes the Graduate Certificate in Forest Conservation and Management (32 credit points) plus a major project which is examined by thesis.

Students who have already completed the Graduate Certificate may convert this qualification to the Master of Science (Forest Conservation and Management) by completing the research project and thesis. Entry into the course normally requires a Bachelors degree with Honours at a standard of Class II, Division 2 or above in an appropriate discipline, or an appropriate Graduate Diploma in Science (Biological Sciences) completed at a satisfactory standard.

Candidates for the Master of Science (Forest Conservation and Management) must undertake the 32 credit points set out under the Graduate Certificate of Forest Conservation and Management plus:

BIOL995

Forest Management Research Project

7. GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN SCIENCE (BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)

The purpose of the Graduate Diploma (Biological Sciences) is to provide graduates who have insufficient background in parts of Biological Sciences with the skills and knowledge necessary to enable them to proceed with further study.

Successful completion of appropriate subjects with a value of at least 48 credit points is required, the subjects being chosen from the undergraduate science schedule. At least 24 credit points must be from 300-level or 400-level Biology subjects.

The selection of subjects will be approved by the Head of Biological Sciences.

8. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FOREST CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

(This is a fee-paying course only)

The Graduate Certificate is a 32 credit point program which provides candidates with the concepts and techniques of conservation ecology that are fundamental to effective forest management. The course is offered in two modules, BIOL951 Research Techniques in Conservation and a study tour, BIOL952 Sustainable Forest Management which integrates theory with field work in a range of locations in eastern Australia.

This Graduate Certificates articulates to a Master of Science (Forest Conservation and Management).
Entry to the course requires an undergraduate degree in a relevant area of Science (including forestry and agriculture) or a similar tertiary qualification with relevant work experience.