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3D illustration Rendering of binary code pattern.

Master of Molecular Biology

Overview

Acquire high-level knowledge and develop practical skills relevant to modern molecular biology research or industry practice.

With UQ's Master of Molecular Biology program, you can build practical skills as you experience laboratory techniques such as electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, endonuclease mapping, fluorescent reporters and expression vectors.

You'll develop an advanced knowledge of the structure and function of genes and the proteins they encode. Your study will cover genome sequencing, recombinant DNA technology and macromolecular structure determination. Through laboratory practicals, workshops, projects and directed study, you'll receive training in bioinformatics, molecular genetics, biomolecular structure and function, and immunology.

You'll also gain practical insights and crucial research skills by undertaking a research-focused internship or project with our industry partners. Plus you'll graduate equipped with high-level knowledge and skills relevant to modern molecular biology research or industry practice.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)
1.5 Years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
2 Years full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (19 Feb, 2024), Semester 2 (22 Jul, 2024)
Program Code
5600
AQF
Level 9
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$48160
Duration
1 Year full-time (only available as full-time study)
1.5 Years full-time (only available as full-time study)
2 Years full-time (only available as full-time study)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (19 Feb, 2024), Semester 2 (22 Jul, 2024)
Program Code
5600
CRICOS Code
082612D
AQF
Level 9

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Study at an international powerhouse of teaching and research in chemical and molecular life sciences.
  • Learn from scientists who have contributed to breakthroughs in safer vaccines, antibiotic resistance, viral infections and early breast cancer detection.
  • Enhance your technical and research skills in core areas of molecular biology, protein technology and bioinformatics.
  • Put theory into practice, build relationships with potential employers and mentors, and test career options.

1 in Queensland for biological sciences

QS World University Rankings 2024

1 in Australia for biotechnology

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Research experience
  • Laboratory work
  • Workshops

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory
  • Advanced Protein Technology
  • Advanced Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Concepts in Bioinformatics

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Analytical biochemist
  • Genetic pathologist
  • Immunologist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Environmental biologist
  • Bioinformatician
  • Pharmaceutical scientist
  • Microbiologist
  • Transgenic technologist
  • Virologist

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years, 1.5 years or 1 year depending on your qualifications and experience.

You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.

2-year degree (32 units of study)

To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, with at least one course in chemistry or biology, or
  • a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in molecular biology, or
  • to have successfully completed at least 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Molecular Biology.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

1.5-year degree (24 units of study)

If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

1-year degree (16 units of study)

If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:

  • a bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant disciplines include biotechnology, science, medicine, biomedical science, pharmacy, bioinformatics, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and biological chemistry.

Related programs

English language requirements

IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.

PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.

BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.

CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.

OET is not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Molecular Biology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$8,950

2024

$8,950

2024

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $48,160

2024

AUD $48,160

2024

Learn more about undergraduate fees

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Master of Molecular Biology are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Applying online

All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.

The program code for the Master of Molecular Biology is 5600.

This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.

When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.

Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study

Applying online

All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.

The program code for the Master of Molecular Biology is 5600.

This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.

When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.

Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
  • To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
  • To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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