Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2012

Master of Biotechnology

Course code/s: SMBT - Melbourne

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 Techniques in Biotechnology BIO5TEC 15
TE-SEM-1 Protein Chemistry BIO5PRO 15
TE-SEM-1 Bio-Business Management BIO5BBM 15
TE-SEM-1 Scientific Communication Skills BIO5SCS 15
TE-SEM-2 Proteomics and Genomics BIO5PAG 15
TE-SEM-2 Bio Informatics BIO5INF 15
TE-SEM-2 Skills in Science BIO5SIS 15
TE-SEM-2 Practical Biotechnology BIO5PRC 15
TE-W47-W06 Good Laboratory Practice BIO5GLP 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 Proteomics and Genomics BIO5PAG 15
TE-SEM-2 Bio Informatics BIO5INF 15
TE-SEM-2 Skills in Science BIO5SIS 15
TE-SEM-2 Practical Biotechnology BIO5PRC 15
TE-W47-W06 Good Laboratory Practice BIO5GLP 15
TE-SEM-1 Techniques in Biotechnology BIO5TEC 15
TE-SEM-1 Protein Chemistry BIO5PRO 15
TE-SEM-1 Bio-Business Management BIO5BBM 15
TE-SEM-1 Scientific Communication Skills BIO5SCS 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

Please note: Some of these subjects may not be offered in the current year. For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, teaching period and availability, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, please click on the appropriate Subject Code or refer to the Subject/Unit Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.