Bachelor of Molecular Sciences and Master of Bioinformatics

Program Overview

This Combined Bachelor's and Master's (CBM) in Molecular Life Sciences and Bioinformatics is a four-year accelerated program for high achievers. It combines a solid foundation in molecular sciences with advanced training in bioinformatics, preparing graduates for careers in research, industry, or academia. Students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art molecular techniques and develop analytical, critical thinking, and data interpretation skills. The program is supported by world-class facilities, including the Bayliss Building and the Cell and Molecular – Life Facility.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Combined Bachelor's and Master's (CBM) is a four-year accelerated program for those with an ATAR of 90 or above. Over the first three years, you'll complete an extended major in Molecular Life Sciences and some units from the Master of Bioinformatics. You can then choose to exit after three years with an Advanced Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Sciences, or continue with the Master of Bioinformatics and be awarded a Bachelor of Molecular Sciences and a Master of Bioinformatics at the end of the four years.

Objectives:

• Develop biological and analytical knowledge and skills in the area of genomics and other 'omic' data to inform basic human science questions relating to health, disease, agriculture and our changing environment.
• Training in cutting-edge technologies will equip you with the tools to answer the many challenges in the biological and/or health sciences.

Outline:

Undergraduate:

• Level 1:
• Core: Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
• SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis (6)
• STAT1400 Statistics for Science (6)
• Core: Take all units (30 points):
• BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry (6)
• BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
• CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (6)
• CITS2401 Computer Analysis and Visualisation (6)
• SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell (6)
• Bridging: Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study.
Students without Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher take MATH1721. Students without Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher take MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students without Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher take CHEM1003.
• CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
• MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
• MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)
• Level 2:
• Core: Take all units (30 points):
• BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell (6)
• BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function (6)
• ENVT2236 Soil Science (6)
• GENE2230 Molecular Genetics I (6)
• PLNT2201 Plants in Action (6)
• Level 3:
• Core: Take all units (42 points):
• BIOC3001 Molecular Biology (6)
• BIOC3002 Structural and Functional Biochemistry (6)
• BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function (6)
• BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry (6)
• BIOL3305 Fisheries Science: Foundation and Application (6)
• GENE3350 Evolution and Development (6)
• GENE3370 Genomics (6)
• Conversion: Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
• GENE4002 Integrated Topics in Genetics I (6)
• GENE4003 Integrated Topics in Genetics II (6)
• SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
• SCIE4403 The Conduct, Ethics and Communication of Science (6)

Postgraduate:

• Conversion:
• Core: Take all units (36 points):
• GENE4001 Advanced Studies in Genetics and Genomics (6)
• GENE5001 Advanced Genomics Techniques (6)
• SCIE4001 Collecting, Analysing and Interpreting Big Data in Biology (6)
• SCIE4002 Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
• SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences (6)
• SCIE5003 Advanced Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
• Core:
• Core: Take 12 points:
• BIOL5301 Big Data, Modelling and Meta-analysis in Biology, Conservation and the Environment (6)
• SCIE5002 Human Evolutionary Biology (6)
• SCIE5507 Food Fibre and Fuel Security (6)
• SCIE5508 Synthetic Biology: Solving Global Challenges (6)
• SCIE5515 Global Challenges in Biomedical Science (6)
• STAT4064 Applied Predictive Modelling (6)
• Option:
• Option: Students in the course by course work and dissertation take 24 points:
• SCIE5571 Dissertation Part 1 (6)
• SCIE5572 Dissertation Part 2 (6)
• SCIE5573 Dissertation Part 3 (6)
• SCIE5574 Dissertation Part 4 (6)
• Option: Students in the course by coursework take 12 points:
• SCIE5004 Professional Skills in Science (6)
• SCIE5005 Science in Practice (6)
• Option: Students in the course by coursework only take 12 points:
• BIOL5301 Big Data, Modelling and Meta-analysis in Biology, Conservation and the Environment (6)
• SCIE5002 Human Evolutionary Biology (6)
• SCIE5507 Food Fibre and Fuel Security (6)
• SCIE5508 Synthetic Biology: Solving Global Challenges (6)
• SCIE5515 Global Challenges in Biomedical Science (6)
• STAT4064 Applied Predictive Modelling (6)

Careers:

• Career Pathways:
• UWA is Western Australia’s top ranked University, and is also one of the Group of Eight leading research universities in Australia.
UWA’s biological disciplines, including those that comprise the molecular life sciences, are particularly renowned nationally and internationally and rank amongst the world’s best 100 in their subject area.
• A bachelor’s degree in Molecular Life Sciences from UWA would be highly recognised amongst employers in the biosciences.
Career options include agricultural consultancy, biotechnology, drug development, food production and quality control, fermentation industries and chemical production. Life scientists find jobs in diagnostic laboratories in hospitals, veterinary health, toxicology and allied health fields. Opportunities beyond the laboratory include education, patent law and policy-making, as well as in agriculture and the environment, sales and marketing for medical, research and pharmaceutical industries. With their specialist knowledge of living systems, molecular life scientists find work as journalists and science communicators. A degree in Molecular Life Sciences is also an ideal launchpad for specialised postgraduate courses in bioinformatics, synthetic biology or forensics. Finally, many careers in the molecular life sciences benefit from further study towards a higher degree by research, so that graduates can reach more senior positions in research and development, whether in academia or in industry.
• Companies and Institutions:
• There are numerous companies and institutions in diverse industries that seek molecular life scientists in Western Australia (indicated by ), nationally and internationally:
• Pharmaceutical companies (e.g.
Pfizer , CSL, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline, EvansPetersen Healthcare)
• Biotechnology companies (e.g.
Dimerix , PYC Therapeutics , Orthocell , Novozyme, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche, Merck)
• Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g.
Pathwest , Safe Work Laboratories )
• Biochemical/protein analytical laboratories (e.g.
Proteomics International )
• Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)
• Research Centres (e.g.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) , Telethon Kids Institute , Ingham Institute, Garvan Institute for Medical Research)
• Top-ranked universities around the world
• Based on salary information for biochemists and molecular biologists, you can expect an annual salary of $108,000 (+ bonus) as the average across all industries and experience levels, with a salary growth of ~2.0% per year.
• The typical entry level salary of scientists is around $75,000 and ranges up to $130,000 for experienced workers.
Further studies toward a Master or PhD degree will increase your average base salary toward the upper end of this scale, and will prepare you to take responsibilities as an educator in the higher education system or as manager in industry.

Other:

• Why study this course?

• Learn from leading researchers in the field about the most recent advances in molecular life sciences, how these affect our everyday lives and how we can use this knowledge to solve global challenges.
• Learn through hands-on laboratories while also gaining skills in data analysis and interpretation and critical thinking.
• Develop a solid foundation in molecular sciences with professional and transferable skills that open up many exciting possibilities for future career develop and/or study.
• Demonstrate a profound understanding of the theoretical basis of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics in animals, plants and microorganisms.
• Gain technical competency and practical skills to master state-of-the-art molecular techniques.
• Develop and demonstrate your skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation.
• Facilities:
It houses a range of facilities to support world-class research and teaching, and labs have been built on every level to suit various curriculum requirements as students progress.
• Cell and Molecular Life: Research conducted in the Cell and Molecular – Life Facility lead to a better understanding of cell and body function, help develop therapeutics and contribute to prevent disease.