Program Overview

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Master of Bioinformatics

Develop in demand computational and data analysis skills to manage and interpret the flood of new information being discovered in the fields of biology and medicine.

About the course

Bioinformatics is the application and development of methods from computer science to solve challenges within molecular biology and medicine. With rapid data and technology advances in the fields of biology and medicine, people with the skills required to manage and interpret large biological datasets are increasingly in demand.

The recent explosion of data and technology is rapidly changing the study and application of biology and medicine. This applies to advances in genetics and genomics as well as the huge diversity of phenotypic data being generated, related to everything from crop performance, the environment through to drug design and understanding and finding cures for human disease.

There is a huge demand for individuals who have the skills to manage and interpret this flood of information. The field of bioinformatics has grown and evolved to meet this demand.

Bioinformatics is a broad field, working across technologies with applied biological outcomes. Here the course provides the foundation in these broad areas of biology, with options to focus on the specific interests of the student, whether this be biomedical, environmental or agricultural.

Careers and further study

Career Pathways

There is a growing demand for individuals who have practical experience of bioinformatics, with opportunities in academia, consulting and the private sector.

Careers:

• Bioinformatician
• Data Scientist
• Data Analyst

Further Study

Students completing this degree may have the option to pursue further studies in research.

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.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$50,700.00

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.

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) successfully completed prior tertiary study in—biological, medical, biomedical, or biomolecular sciences; or in a related cognate discipline 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 details

Course Structure

We offer postgraduate degrees designed to help you develop a thorough understanding of a chosen subject area, diversify your educational background or obtain specific vocational training.

• 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 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
• 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: 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: 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)

Quick 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: 70550
• CRICOS code: A
• Full time/part time duration: 1.5-2 years

Why study this course?

• UWA has built strong links with industries and professional networks to increase your career opportunities upon graduation
• Learn from internationally leading bioinformatics experts across the biomedical, environment and agricultural bioinformatics fields
• The course provides the essential skills for employment in applied bioinformatics or to undertake further bioinformatics research

You'll learn

• Practical skills in biological data management and analysis
• The application of high performance computing to advance our understanding of biology
• The diverse applications of bioinformatics across the biomedical, agricultural and environmental fields
• In demand skills which are applied to biology but also transferrable to diverse computational and data analytical fields