Master of Science (BioSciences)

Breed zoology with plant science and cross-pollinate with genetics and you've produced the Master of Science (BioSciences).

This uniquely collaborative course is yours to personalise. Select your area of specialisation and pair it with a choice of professional skill-building subjects.

The defining feature of the course is a major research project in your area of interest. You'll be supervised by one of our renowned researchers, who work on everything from sensory ecology to aquaculture technology and plant pathology.

The Master of Science (BioSciences) is a 200-point course, made up of:

• Discipline core subjects (25 points)
• Discipline elective subjects (25-37.5 points)
• A professional skills subject (12.5-25 points)
• A research project (125 points).

For full-time students, in your first-year, you will complete most of your coursework subjects, while also beginning work on your research project. In your second year, you will complete any remaining coursework subjects but your focus will be the research project.

For part-time students, in your first year, you will complete four coursework subjects which will prepare you for your research project. In your second and third years, you will conduct your research project. In your fourth year, you will complete the final semester of your research project, and then complete two final coursework subjects (including the communication subject) in your eighth and last semester.

All students take a subject on communication for research scientists, which ensures you're able to speak and write about your research professionally and impactfully.

Your discipline elective subjects are selected in consultation with your research project supervisor and should be relevant to your research topic.

You can also choose to complete an 80-100-hour internship in a science and technology workplace.

Our graduates go on to work as: bioinformaticians, biotechnologists, ecologists, environmental scientists, food scientists, geneticists, marine biologists, medical researchers, plant breeders, policy analysts, research technicians, school teachers, and zoologists.

Employers in this field include:

• Medical research institutes such as WEHI
• Government organisations, such as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Museums Victoria
• Research hospitals such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
• Companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Universities and public research institutions such as the CSIRO.

Start-year Intake
Timely applications: 30 November 2021

Mid-year Intake
Timely applications: 31 May 2021

Note: Commonwealth Support Places (CSPs) will be allocated in timely application rounds, you will need to have submitted your full application prior to the timely application deadline to ensure you have the best chance to obtain a CSP.