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Postgraduate Coursework Degrees

Contact: Dr Jason McArthur

The following Master degree programs are by coursework (no major thesis) and generally commence in the beginning of Autumn Session (February).

• Master of Science (Environmental Biology)
• Master of Science (Biotechnology)
• Graduate Diploma
• Other Information

The Master of Science (Biotechnology) and Master of Science (Environmental Biology) are designed for applicants who seek a postgraduate qualification and further knowledge & skills in Biotechnology and Environmental Biology in particular, or who seek to qualify for a postgraduate research degree. They are both one-year course-work degrees which have the option to include a research project.

Candidates for either of these Master of Science degrees are required to take 48 cp of subjects chosen from sections A and B, and a Research Apprenticeship. It can start in either Autumn (February) or Spring (July) Sessions, depending on candidate's background. 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 on the staff page and contact the Masters Co-ordinator.

Master of Science (Environmental Biology)

Subject List

Subjects in Section B are only offered under certain circumstances which need to be approved by the Masters Coordinator. Only the students with a distinction average or above for their first session subjects can apply to enroll in these subjects.

Or other 900 level subjects from other academic units, subject to approval of the Heads of those units and the Masters Co-ordinator. Students cannot enroll in subjects where they have completed equivalent 300-level subjects at Wollongong or elsewhere.

Selection Criteria for Potential Masters Students

1. Academic performance must be in the top 10% of the student population.
2. The student MUST have successfully completed an appropriate undergraduate degree, comprising the equivalent of at least 3 years of full-time study (e.g. BSc, B Vet Sci, B Med).
3. The student MUST have completed the equivalent of at least one academic year of study comprised of subjects taken from one or more of the following areas:
   1. Biochemistry
   2. Cell Biology
   3. Molecular Biology
   4. Microbiology
   5. Ecology
   6. Physiology
4. In addition, the student MUST have completed the equivalent of at least one academic year of study in chemistry.

Students who do not fulfil criteria (1) and (2) will not be considered. Students who partially fulfil criteria (3) and (4) may be considered for enrolment by the Masters coordinator.

Master of Science - Biotechnology

The MSc (Biotech) is a two-year course work degree which has the option to include a one semester research project. It emphasizes molecular and cellular biology at both fundamental and applied levels. It does not focus exclusively on industrial processes (eg fermentation) although these are covered. More information about this degree is available on the Biotech Web page

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.

Program of Study

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory-based project work will be undertaken in each of the subjects set out below. A total of 72 credit points of course work are specified comprising 24 credit points of preparatory subjects which are completed prior to entry into the 48 credit points of discipline specific subjects. The two-year Degree course commences in July (Spring) but can be accelerated for completion in 18 months.  A February (Autumn) start may be approved for those receiving advanced standing for the 24 cp of Preparation subjects allowing completion within 1 year*.

*Advanced standing will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.

**These subjects are only available to students with a distinction average in discipline specific subjects, need to be approved by the MSc Course Coordinator, and are limited to project availability.

Selection Criteria for Potential Masters Students

1. Academic performance must be in the top 10% of the student population.
   
2. The student MUST have successfully completed an appropriate undergraduate degree, comprising the equivalent of at least 3 years of full-time study (e.g. BSc, B Vet Sci, B Med).
   
3. The student MUST have completed the equivalent of at least one academic year of study comprised of subjects taken from one or more of the following areas:
   1. Biochemistry
   2. Cell Biology
   3. Molecular Biology
   4. Microbiology
4. In addition, the student MUST have completed the equivalent of at least one academic year of study in chemistry.

Students who do not fulfill criteria (1) and (2) will not be considered. Students who partially fulfill criteria (3) and (4) may be considered for enrolment by the Biotechnology MSc coordinator.

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

Other Information

Further Opportunities of Study

The MSc-Research Course requires a person to complete the MSc (Biotechnology or Environmental Biology) degree and THEN undertake a one-year research project. This is subjected to the student: (1) performing to a level in the MSc degree that is considered sufficiently strong (usually Distinction average or above) and (2) finding an academic staff member who is willing to supervise the project.

Students finishing MSc (Biotech) degree with results of distinction can also proceed directly onto a PhD candidature.

Financial Aids or Scholarships

The University does not offer financial aids or scholarships to MSc candidates (normally only to PhD students on competitive basis). Interested candidates should seek financial aids from other sources.

Application Procedures

Follow this link for General information and an Application Form

or write to:

Wollongong UniAdvice
University of Wollongong
NSW 2522, AUSTRALIA
Phone (Australia): 1800 680 320
Phone (International): +61 2 4221 3218
Fax: +61 2 4221 3233

Further Information

 Accommodation Details

 UOW Student Services

Co-ordinator for MSc Biotechnology

Dr Jason McArthur
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Wollongong
NSW 2522 Australia

Tel: +(61) 2 4221 5650
Fa:x +(61)2 4221 4135

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