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Master of Computational Biology (MC-COMPBIO)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2023 Delivered: On Campus
About this course
Coordinator
Jennifer Flegg
Overview
Award title | Master of Computational Biology |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2023 |
CRICOS code | 096365K |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 300 credit points |
Duration | 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time |
Computational Biology is a rapidly growing field at the intersection of biology, mathematics and computer science. The Master of Computational Biology is a 300 point degree that aims to meet the educational needs of students seeking to work as computational biologists in industry, academia or government.
The course consists of:
- Core subjects that provide theoretical and practical training in the analysis, interpretation, and management of large biological data sets;
- Electives that provide specialist training in core areas of computational biology including bioinformatics, systems biology, biological and ecological modelling and biophysics.
- Additional electives chosen from an array of disciplines including computer science, mathematics, statistics, biology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, genetics and biochemistry;
- A project (industry, applied or professional) and/or a research project (the option to undertake a research project is dependent on a student’s results and availability of suitable project and supervisor);
- Professional skills modules which provide training in business, communications and science application.
Entry requirements
(1) In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- An undergraduate degree in an appropriate scientific discipline (Computational Biology, Biology and Biomedicine; Computer Science; Physics; Mathematics and Statistics), with a course weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%); and
- Prerequisite subject MAST10005 Calculus 1 or equivalent.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
(2) In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider prior academic performance.
(3) The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
(4) Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course the student is expected to achieve:
- A broad education in computational biology with strong foundations in computer science, statistics and biological modelling;
- Significant expertise in a specific area of computational biology;
- The opportunity to integrate and apply this learning to produce solutions for practical biological problems;
- The ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving field;
Generic skills
- The ability to interact in a cross-cultural environment
- The ability to develop time and project management skills
- The ability to exercise critical judgement and operate in both a team environment and/or with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability
- The ability to exercise independent thinking and high-level problem solving skills
Graduate attributes
Graduates will:
- have the ability to demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry, analysis and reflection in the field of computational biology;
- have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
- have in-depth knowledge of the key tools and methods used in computational biology;
- reach a high level of achievement in writing, project or research activities, computationally-based problem-solving and communication;
- be critical and creative thinkers, particularly in relation to manipulation and analysis of large biological data sets, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
- be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a range of biological disciplines using a range of advanced computational, statistical and mathematical techniques;
- have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment;
- be able to initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
Course structure
Without advanced standing students must complete a total of 300 credit points.
Students may be awarded up to 100 points of advanced standing based upon their undergraduate studies. In particular, students who have completed a major in Computational Biology in their undergraduate degree will be awarded 100 points of advanced standing and will need complete 200 credit points. Students must complete MAST30032 and MAST30033 if they have not done so in their previous studies.
1. Foundation and Prerequisite Studies (Up to 100 points)
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP20008 | Elements of Data Processing |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST30032 | Biological Modelling and Simulation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST30033 | Statistical Genomics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GENE90019 | Genes Molecules and Cells | No longer available | |
COMP90038 | Algorithms and Complexity |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST90057 | Elements of Probability | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90058 | Elements of Statistics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
2. Additional Foundation (up to 12.5 points)
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP90059 | Introduction to Programming |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
3. Core subjects (50 points)
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST90127 | Advanced Biological Modelling: Dynamics | Not available in 2023 | 12.5 |
COMP90014 | Algorithms for Bioinformatics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90128 | Advanced Environmental Computation | No longer available | |
MAST90126 | Advanced Statistical Genomics | Not available in 2023 | 12.5 |
and
4. Projects (25 – 75 points)
All students will be required to undertake an industry or academic project, equivalent to 25 points. Outstanding students (with an average of at least 80% in associated coursework subjects in the course) may replace the project with a research project (equivalent to 50 points) or elect to undertake both (equating to a total of 75 points).
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90025 | Project in Computational Biology | Not available in 2023 | 25 |
Research Project Options (50 points total)
Students will undertake a research project for a total of 50 points. The research project comprises of a series of two or three consecutive subject parts. The following research project structures are possible. Students will determine which stream they follow in consultation with the project coordinator.
Stream A
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90019 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt1 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
SCIE90024 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt2 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
37.5 |
Stream B
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90020 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt1 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
SCIE90023 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt2 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
Stream C
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90021 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt1 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
37.5 |
SCIE90022 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt2 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Stream D
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90019 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt1 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
SCIE90030 | Research Project in Comp Biol Pt2(cont.) |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
SCIE90032 | Research Project in Comp Biol Pt3 |
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Stream E
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90019 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt1 |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
SCIE90033 | Research Project in Comp Biol Pt2(cont.) |
Semester 1 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
SCIE90031 | Research Project in Comp Biology Pt3 |
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
and
5. Computational Biology Discipline Subjects (50 - 100 points)
Students will select between 50 – 100 points of elective subjects. Of this, student must take at least 37.5 points of the following subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP90016 | Computational Genomics | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BINF90001 | Statistics for Bioinformatics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BTCH90009 | Genomics and Bioinformatics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90083 | Computational Statistics & Data Science | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BINF90004 | Bioinformatics Case Studies | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90129 | Infectious Disease Dynamics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90011 | Mathematical Biology | Not available in 2023 | 12.5 |
BMEN90027 | Systems and Synthetic Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EVSC90026 | Modelling Species Distributions & Niches | Not available in 2023 | 12.5 |
EVSC90020 | Environmental Modelling | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90026 | Biomolecular Structure Determination | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHYC90010 | Statistical Mechanics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90100 | Probability & Inference in Biostatistics | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST90102 | Foundations of Regression | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
The remaining value of the 50 – 100 points of Computational Biology Discipline Subjects can be taken from the above listed subjects or, on approval of the course coordinator, subjects from the Master of Data Science, the Master of Science (Computer science), the Master of Science (Mathematics and Statistics), the Master of Science (Biosciences), the Master of Science (Physics), the Master of Science (Epidemiology) and the Master of Engineering (Biomedical).
And
6. Professional Skills (25 – 50 points)
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90012 | Science Communication | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90005 | Ethics and Responsibility in Science | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90006 | Scientists,Communication & the Workplace | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MGMT90171 | Leadership in Science | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BUSA90471 | Business Tools: The Market Environment | No longer available | |
BUSA90403 | Business Tools: Money People & Processes | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90013 | Communication for Research Scientists |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Winter Term (Online)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
SCIE90017 | Science and Technology Internship |
Summer Term (Off Campus)
Semester 1 (Off Campus)
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
Last updated: 26 April 2024