Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-03-01 | - |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master of Biotechnology
About the course
Biotechnology is central to our lives. The use of plants, animals and bacteria, enhanced by areas such as genetics, genomics and synthetic biology, gives rise to new food, fibre and biochemical production routes, and new strategies for environmental protection and stewardship, all central requirements as the global population increases over the coming decades. You will study the theory of genetics and molecular biology and receive world-class training in ‘next generation’ practical techniques such as proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and synthetic biology. These core skills will be complemented by bioinformatics practices.
Specialisations can be chosen in the following areas:
- AQUAtech
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology
- Genetics and Genomics
- Synthetic Biology
This is a signature program that set us apart from other universities by offering a thorough grounding in state-of-the-art biotechnology and combining this with training in enterprise and commercialisation. This includes developing the theory of genetics and molecular biology in parallel with skills training in practical techniques such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, genetic engineering and synthetic biology techniques including CRISPR, as well as basic and advanced bioinformatics. Current streams include the application of biotechnology to Plant and Animal Breeding, Environmental Biotechnology, Genetics and Genomics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Commercialisation.
This cross institutional course draws on the expertise of staff in the UWA Business School, business angels and mentors in biotechnology businesses to provide the academic and business skills you’ll need to make a significant contribution to the biotechnology sector now and in the future. Besides these skills in enterprise and commercialisation, in Science key components of your training will be provided by expert staff from the Schools of Molecular Science, Biological Sciences, and Earth Sciences. You can also pursue options from other areas within the university. This course will put you in an ideal position to pursue career opportunities in international research laboratories, government agencies and the private sector, as outlined under Careers & Further Study.
Course details
- Status: Available
- Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
- Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
- Delivery: On-campus
- Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
- Weekly contact time: Please refer to the UWA Handbook.
- Level of study: Postgraduate
- Course Code: 71580
- CRICOS code: F
- Full time/part time duration: 2 years
- Degrees course is available in: Master of Biotechnology
Career Pathways
You can find career opportunities in academia, through either a higher degree or research/teaching post. The commercial sector also offers opportunities, where the mix of analytical, scientific rationale and business skills will see you well placed within selection criteria for biotechnology industries. Core business training will also give you a full understanding of idea development into spin out companies, and as such, biotechnology start-up ventures are a likely destination for some graduates. Governmental and non-governmental organisations also offers opportunities, for fields such as environmental monitoring, legislative development and advisory bodies concerned with biotechnology development.
Master of Biotechnology graduates will gain a range of skills which will open various career opportunities.
Some international, Australian and WA-based companies and institutions include:
- Biotechnology companies (e.g. Ozgene, PYC Therapeutics, Dimerix, ULUU, Novozyme, IDT Australia, Life Cykel, Qiagen, Roche)
- Pharmaceutical/ medical device companies (e.g. CareDx, CSL, Pfizer, Abbvie, GlaxoSmithKline)
- Agricultural breeding companies (e.g. Australian Grain Technologies, Intergrain)
- Molecular diagnostics laboratories (e.g. Pathwest, Safe Work Laboratories, Precision Oncology, Mater Pathology)
- Research Centres (e.g. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Telethon Kids Institute, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions)
- Provisioners of scientific instrumentation (e.g. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Westlab, LabGear Australia)
- Genetic counselling services (Government/State, e.g. WA Health)
- Government agencies (Primary Industries and Regional Development)
- World Health Organisation
- Top ranked universities around the world
Further Study
Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research. Find out about our world-class research at UWA Science Global.
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.
International Student Fees
Annual course fee
- 2025: $48,300.00
Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Admission requirements
Admission Requirements
(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) met the prerequisite for the chosen specialisation
(2) For the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology specialisation an applicant must have—
(a) successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Biochemistry, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA; and
(b) successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Molecular Biology, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(3) For the Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology specialisation, an applicant must have successfully completed Chemistry ATAR, or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(4) For the Genetics and Genomics specialisation, an applicant must have successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Genetics, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(5) For the AQUAtech specialistion an applicant must have successfully completed Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
(6) For the Synthetic Biology specialisation an applicant must have successfully completed intermediate units at a tertiary level in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Genetics, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA
Ranking and Selection Process
Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
Course structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.
Core
- Take all units (24 points):
- MKTG5503 Enterprise and Innovation (6)
- MKTG5604 Technology Commercialisation (6)
- SCIE4001 Collecting, Analysing and Interpreting Big Data in Biology (6)
- SCIE5507 Food Fibre and Fuel Security (6)
Option
- Students in course by coursework only take all units from this group (12 points):
- SCIE5004 Professional Skills in Science (6)
- SCIE5005 Science in Practice (6)
- Students in course by coursework 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)
AQUAtech specialisation
- Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
- BIOC4002 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I (6)
- GENE4002 Integrated Topics in Genetics I (6)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
- SCIE4404 Techniques in Molecular Sciences (6)
- Take all units (24 points):
- ENVT5004 Decoding and Recoding for Environmental Biotechnology (6)
- ENVT5005 Waste and the Circular Economy (6)
- ENVT5514 Environmental Biosensing Agents and Assays (6)
- ENVT5575 Aquaculture and the Blue Economy (6)
- For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
- BIOL4407 Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management (6)
- BIOL4410 Environmental Genomics (6)
- ENVT5576 Aquatic Ecology (6)
- SCIE5505 Global Change and the Marine Environment (6)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology specialisation
- Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
- BIOC4003 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II (6)
- SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
- SCIE4404 Techniques in Molecular Sciences (6)
- Take all units (24 points):
- BIOC4001 Advanced Studies in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (6)
- BIOC5001 Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Techniques (6)
- MSCI4006 Advanced Techniques in Molecular Sciences (6)
- SCIE5508 Synthetic Biology: Solving Global Challenges (6)
- For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.
- ENVT5001 Biotechnology in the Natural Environment (6)
- GENE4001 Advanced Studies in Genetics and Genomics (6)
- GENE5001 Advanced Genomics Techniques (6)
- SCIE4002 Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
- SCIE5509 Synthetic Biology: Novel Tools for Bioengineering (6)
- SCIE5515 Global Challenges in Biomedical Science (6)
Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology specialisation
- Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
- BIOC4002 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I (6)
- GENE4002 Integrated Topics in Genetics I (6)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
- SCIE4404 Techniques in Molecular Sciences (6)
- Take all units (24 points):
- ENVT5001 Biotechnology in the Natural Environment (6)
- ENVT5004 Decoding and Recoding for Environmental Biotechnology (6)
- ENVT5005 Waste and the Circular Economy (6)
- ENVT5514 Environmental Biosensing Agents and Assays (6)
- For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.
- AGRI4410 Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
- AGRI5502 Case Studies in Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
- BIOL4407 Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management (6)
- BIOL5542 Conservation Genetics (6)
- ENVT5515 Environmental Management in Mining (6)
- ENVT5517 Ecological Rehabilitation (6)
- SCIE4002 Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
Genetics and Genomics specialisation
- Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
- GENE4003 Integrated Topics in Genetics II (6)
- SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
- SCIE4404 Techniques in Molecular Sciences (6)
- Take all units (24 points):
- GENE4001 Advanced Studies in Genetics and Genomics (6)
- GENE5001 Advanced Genomics Techniques (6)
- SCIE4002 Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
- SCIE5508 Synthetic Biology: Solving Global Challenges (6)
- For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points, of which at least 1 unit must be at Level 5.
- AGRI4410 Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
- AGRI5502 Case Studies in Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
- BIOL5542 Conservation Genetics (6)
- ENVT5001 Biotechnology in the Natural Environment (6)
- SCIE5509 Synthetic Biology: Novel Tools for Bioengineering (6)
- SCIE5515 Global Challenges in Biomedical Science (6)
Synthetic Biology specialisation
- Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the chosen specialisation must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
- BIOC4003 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II (6)
- SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
- SCIE4404 Techniques in Molecular Sciences (6)
- Take all units (24 points):
- SCIE4002 Bioinformatics and Data Analysis for Genomics (6)
- SCIE5508 Synthetic Biology: Solving Global Challenges (6)
- SCIE5509 Synthetic Biology: Novel Tools for Bioengineering (6)
- SCIE5516 Materials Characterisation for Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology (6)
- For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.
- AGRI4410 Breeding and Biotechnology (6)
- ENVT5001 Biotechnology in the Natural Environment (6)
- ENVT5005 Waste and the Circular Economy (6)
- SCIE4481 Good, Bogus and Corrupted Science (6)
- SCIE5515 Global Challenges in Biomedical Science (6)
This course:
- offers up-to-date instruction in biotechnology in combination with training in enterprise and commercialisation
- utilises the expertise of world leading research staff in Science and in the UWA Business School – along with Business ‘Angels’ and mentors in biotechnology spin-outs
- has a unique set of specialisations
- has close working links with industry, both public and private
Flexibility
We understand that life is busy. That's why our postgraduate courses are designed so you can balance your work and studies. Our flexible postgraduate experience includes the opportunity to study part time, a range of units that are taught after hours, and the option to learn via intensive units. Ask our Student Central team for advice on choosing the right postgraduate route for you. Find out more here.
Facilities
Bayliss Building
Cutting-edge facilities enable world-class research and study
The Bayliss Building is an impressive five-storey facility that's the largest and most technically complex building on our campus. 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.
Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis
Providing world-class microscopy and microanalysis facilities and expertise to publicly funded researchers and industry.
The Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis has expert academic, technical and professional staff who support the full user pathway from initial project discussion and planning, through to application of cutting-edge characterisation and analytical techniques, assistance with data interpretation, and publication.