Master of Biotechnology (MC-SCIBIT)

Biotechnology is the useful application of a biological product or process. The process of commercialisation is inevitably required for a discovery to become applied and widely used.

Biotechnology is a growing area of applied science and covers a diversity of specialist fields. Disciplines that Biotechnology includes are; molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, plant and environmental sciences, engineering, drug development, nanofabrication, reproductive sciences, stem cells and genetically modified organisms. Modern medicine, agriculture, animal breeding, pharmaceuticals, food production and processing etc., all utilise various Biotechnology tools.

The core disciplines will focus on advances in key technologies, and will give the student the scientific understanding of how discoveries progress from the laboratory to the marketplace. This scientific knowledge will be developed together with an understanding of what is procedurally required to transform a discovery into a useful and commercialised product or process. This includes such areas as Intellectual Property, Market Structure, Drug Trial Design, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Management and Good Manufacturing Processes.

This professional entry program offers students the opportunity to undertake core science studies as well as professional skills modules, which provide high-level training in the areas of business, communications and science application.

In the second year of study students will work in groups to undertake an Industry Project with a company external to the University.

Outstanding students may replace the Industry Project with the Research Project, depending upon the availability of a suitable project and supervisor. Upon successful completion of the Research Project, students may be eligible to apply to study for a PhD at the University of Melbourne.