Overview

Our Master of Science (Biotechnology) is designed for students with a previous degree in chemical sciences or biology. This course provides students with advanced education in the theory and practice of biotechnology preparing them for research-based careers or further education in the field.

After graduating, students can pursue employment in medicine and health, agriculture, pharmaceutical and environmental industries.

View Master of Science (Biotechnology) course handbook
Is your course available for Midyear entry?

Starting midyear means getting your study goals under way before the year is over. Semester 2 begins Monday 29 July, 2024.

Upgrade your skills

  • Extensive laboratory skills in key areas including biochemistry, biotechnology
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Microbiology and bioinformatics
  • Communication skills
  • Research project skills

Stretch your career further

  • Diagnostic services and pathology services
  • Forensic science laboratories
  • Wine industry and breweries
  • Scientific sales representatives/executives
  • Veterinary science
  • Associates to patent attorneys

Key codes

CRICOS course code
055216G
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

  • CSIRO
  • Melbourne Pathology
  • Eastern Health
  • Epworth Hospital

Why Swinburne?

The median income for PG graduates five years out is $89K

90.8% of PG graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course

Top 20% for PG teaching quality in Australia

Qualifications

Successful completion of a three-year Undergraduate Science degree in a biological or chemical science (e.g. biology, botany, biotechnology, zoology, agriculture, forestry, health sciences, veterinary science, chemistry) equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree, with an average of at least 60% marks over the duration of the course. 

Students, regardless of completing any of the above streams in Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Technology can be admitted.

Successful completion of a three-year Undergraduate Science degree in a biological or chemical science (e.g. biology, botany, biotechnology, zoology, agriculture, forestry, health sciences, veterinary science, chemistry) equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree, with an average of at least 60% marks over the duration of the course. 

Students, regardless of completing any of the above streams in Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Technology can be admitted.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for a Master of Science (Biotechnology), a student must complete 16 units (200 credit points) comprising:

  • 10 core units (125 credit points)
  • 6 elective units (75 credit points) being either:
    • 6 elective units of 12.5 credit points each; or
    • 4 elective units of 12.5 credit points each and 1 elective unit of 25 credit points

Your units

Graduate Diploma

Completing 6 core and 2 elective units entitles you to the graduate diploma.

6
Core units
+
2
Elective units
=
Graduate diploma
Units of study Unit code
Core units
The Microbial World
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60002
Concepts of Biotechnology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60003
Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60005
Environmental Biotechnology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60006
Minor Research Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO70003
Research Methods in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO80005
Learn more about the Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology)

Masters degree

Completing an additional 4 core units and 3 or 4 elective units entitles you to the masters.

6
Core units
+
2
Elective units
+
4
Core units
+
3 or 4
Elective units
=
Masters degree
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Biotechnology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60007
Advanced Topics in Biotechnology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO80001
Advanced Topics in Biotechnology II
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO80004
Advanced Biochemistry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BCH80001
Units of study Unit code
Microbes in the Environment
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60001
Forensic and Analytical Science
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE60001
Environmental Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV60001
Research Skills
Elective unit
NPS60001
Communicable Disease Control
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH60001
Statistical Practice 1
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
STA60001
Applications of Bioinformatics
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO70001
Major Research Project
Elective unit, 25.0 credit points
BIO80003

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$34,600

Total fee* ($AUD)

$69,200

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$42,240.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
MA-SCBIO
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Course code
MA-SCBIO
Apply directly
Course code
MA-SCBIO
CRICOS code
055216G
Apply directly
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference 2024. Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships
16-April-2024