Master of Biotechnology

Course summary for international students

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Fees and charges
• Career opportunities
• Course structure
• Entry requirements - general
• Entry requirements - specific
• Credit for prior learning - general
• How to apply
• Alternate exits

Course overview

This cutting-edge course provides hands-on experience of the latest techniques in biotechnology research as well as up-to-date bio-processing and production technologies involving mammalian cells, stem cells and other cultures.

Students will gain experience operating cell-culture bioreactors similar to those in industrial-scale production facilities. An important component of this course is that each unit includes industry involvement through guess lecturers who bring an industry perspective of research and commercialisation into the biotechnology environment. Industry involvement will also include on-site visits for some units. The core units in this course cover a wide range of emerging topics in biotechnology and, importantly, business skills.

Graduates may choose to articulate into the Master of Biotechnology (Honours). Alternatively, students may choose to early exit with a Graduate Certificate of Biotechnology.

Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.

Fees and charges

Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.

Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.

* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2014, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2014 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.

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Career opportunities

The Biotechnology postgraduate suite has been designed to build the intellectual and practical capacity of a traditional three/four year biotechnology, science or equivalent degree graduate who aspires to a career in the emerging biotechnology, bioscience or nanoscience field.

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Course structure

Students are required to complete 8 credit points of core (prescribed) units.

Core units

Or any other relevant Level 7 unit approved by the Course Leader

An early exit option with a Graduate Certificate of Biotechnology following the completion of at least 4 credit points from the course grouped units.

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Entry requirements - general

Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.

In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record. The minimum requirements are successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved university or other educational institution or successful completion of other equivalent qualifications gained by examination, or approved professional or industrial experience. International students must also meet the English language requirements.

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Entry requirements - specific

Applicants will normally have completed an accredited undergraduate program comprising at least four years of study in Science (ie. Honours), a relevant Graduate Certificate, or equivalent.

Alternative entry is available for applicants with a relevant, accredited three year Bachelor's degree in science, and at least three years of demonstrated relevant work experience.

An articulation pathway is available for applicants with a relevant, accredited three year Bachelor's degree by first completing the 4-credit Graduate Certificate of Biotechnology.

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Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning Systemwhich outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

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How to apply

• Applicant Portal: Use our online application system to submit and track your application now OR
• Apply through a Deakin International office: Fill out an application form and submit it to a Deakin International office OR
• Apply through a Deakin representative: Take your application form to your preferred agent for assistance.

Tracking your application
If you have already applied and wish to enquire about your application please refer to the relevant area through which you originally applied.

• If you applied through a Deakin representative please contact your representative.
• If you applied through a Deakin International office please contact deakin-int-admissions@deakin.edu.au

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Alternate exits