Coursework programs
Master of Biotechnology – Melbourne (Bundoora) (SMBT)
This course aims to provide full fee-paying students with a masters degree without the requirement for a major research (and thesis) component. This course will not qualify students to enrol in a PhD, however, it will provide the ideal molecular biotechnology background for students wishing to complement this course with higher studies such as legal or business studies.
Students will have the opportunity to further develop their biotechnology skills both theoretically and practically.
This course is offered as an 18 month (three semesters plus a summer semester) masters by coursework degree and upon completion students will be qualified to work at the technical level in the biotechnology industry.
Alternative pathways
Students may choose to transfer to the two year (four semesters) Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics course if they prefer to focus on research. This would allow them to work as a research assistant or may lead to a PhD.
This course is also offered with the Master of Business Administration as a double degree.
Admission requirements
Applicants must have a tertiary qualification equivalent of an Australian Bachelor’s degree containing at least two years (four semesters) of biology including at least one of biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, botany, pharmacology or pharmacy. International students must also satisfy the English language entry requirements of La Trobe University.
Course structure
The course is designed to be completed over four semesters (18 months) including a summer semester and requires the completion of 180 credit points. The students may commence in either February (Semester 1) or July (Semester 2.
February (Semester 1) commencement:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Bio-Business Management | BIO5BBM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Techniques in Biotechnology | BIO5TEC | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Bio Informatics | BIO5INF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Molecular Biotechnology | BIO5MBT | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Topics in Biotechnology | BIO5TIB | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Science Communication | BIO5ASC | 10 |
| TE-W47-W06 | Good Laboratory Practice | BIO5GLP | 15 |
| TE-W47-W06 | Protein Chemistry | BIO5PRO | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective 1* | 15 | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective 2* | 15 | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective 3* | 15 |
July (Semester 2) commencement:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-2 | Molecular Biotechnology | BIO5MBT | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Topics in Biotechnology | BIO5TIB | 20 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Science Communication | BIO5ASC | 10 |
| TE-W47-W06 | Good Laboratory Practice | BIO5GLP | 15 |
| TE-W47-W06 | Protein Chemistry | BIO5PRO | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Bio-Business Management | BIO5BBM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Techniques in Biotechnology | BIO5TEC | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Bio Informatics | BIO5INF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective 1* | 15 | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective 2* | 15 | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective 3* | 15 |
Elective 1, 2 and 3 may be chosen from the following list of subjects
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Principles of Economics | ECO5POE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Ethics and Professional Practice | FIN5EPP | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Principles of Finance | FIN5POF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Financial Statement Analysis | FIN5FSA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Accounting for Managers | ACC5AFM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Financial Accounting Information Systems | ACC5FAS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Management and Cost Reporting | ACC5MCR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Proteomics and Genomics | BIO5PAG | 15 |