Global Utilities

Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Department of Biochemistry

About the Course

This is a unique laboratory-based course that provides individuals with a broad range of skills in molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques. The course has a strong research focus, with students working in a specially designed research laboratory with computer access. Access to a shared common room and reading area also facilitates scientific interaction.

The aim of the course is to train students in the key elements of biotechnology and the manipulation of molecular biological data and to qualify individuals to be able to work in biotechnology enterprises in Australia and overseas.

The Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics comprises 50% coursework and 50% research. Work towards the research thesis will typically include but is not limited to:

  • database mining
  • cDNA cloning into expression or reporter vectors
  • protein expression in E. coli and mammalian cells in culture
  • purification and characterisation of recombinant proteins
  • functional characterisation of proteins
  • antibody production

Course Structure

The course requires the completion of two years (240 credit points) of full-time study. Students can commence the course in semester 1 (February) or 2 (July). The first two semesters are independent of each other and can be done in either order depending on the semester of commencement.

First Year

The first year consists of 120 credit points of coursework, including the subjects outlined below. Within the course structure students also undergo an extensive careers and employment program to assist them in finding casual or part time employment during their course and full time employment when they complete their course. This program is embedded within a unit as part of the course.

Unit Name

Unit Outline

BIO5PPM

Principles of Project Management

Covers intellectual property, project management, business planning, entrepreneurial skills, validation and compliance procedures and regulatory affairs. Ethical and social issues of biotechnology are also discussed. Invited speakers from local biotechnology companies contribute weekly to this unit.

BIO5PBT

Principles of Biotechnology

Advanced study of the tools in molecular and cellular biology and protein chemistry. This covers the impact of biotechnology on molecular diagnostics and vaccines for infectious diseases and looks at methods for identifying commercially useful biological binding molecules. Industrial scale production of proteins for diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries is also explored as is the impact of biotechnology in medicine and agriculture

BIO5BIG

Bioinformatics and Genomics

This unit covers topics including genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics analysis, database mining, homology and motif searching and understanding algorithms used in searches. This unit emphasizes the importance of using existing bioinformatic tools in an applied setting. It does not require or involve software development or programming

BNF3SEQ

Bioinformatics and Sequencing

The unit provides both theoretical and practical experience in protein structure and function in protein and DNA sequence analysis including the searching of protein and nucleic acid databases using homology-based and pattern-based search algorithms, as well as sequence comparisons and alignments and evolutionary analysis.

BIO5TIB

Topics in Biotechnology

General topics of biotechnology will be covered in this unit. It will include an molecular and cell biology, microbiology, protein chemistry, immunology, bioethics and medical biotechnology.

BIO5ASC

Advanced Science Communication

Students will learn how to identify and review relevant scientific literature, analyse and interpret scientific data and become familiar with a range of methods for communicating scientific information.

BIO5MBT

Molecular Biotechnology

 

Advanced study of biochemistry and the molecular biology of a cell. Covers topics such as cell structure and organisation, advanced immunology and plant and animal biotechnology. This unit also provides a comprehensive practical component utilizing molecular biological techniques such as PCR, cloning, protein expression, tissue culture and fluorescence microscopy.

 

Second Year - Research Internship (120 credit points)

In the second year of the course, students are assigned an individual research scientist as a scientific mentor and undertake an individual major research project into a groundbreaking area of biotechnology. The second year program comprises 4 x 30 credit point units (BIO5THA, BIO5THB, BIO5THC & BIO5THD). These units are not assessed individually. The final thesis provides the grade for the entire year.

Content Approved by: Course Coordinator
Page maintained by: Web Administrator
Last Updated: 15 July, 2008

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