Master of Science (Advanced) in Biological Sciences

at Australian National University

Program Structure

The Master of Science (Advanced) in Biological Sciences degree requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

48 units must come from the coursework component

48 units must come from the research component

A minimum of 48 units must come from completion of 8000- level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

18 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:
 

• BIOL8291 Research Presentation Skills (6 units)

• BIOL8700 Research Proposal (12 units)

A minimum of 12 units from completion of Science and Society Courses from the following list:
 

• BIAN8005 Theory Seminar in Biological Anthropology (6 units)

• BIOL6191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

• BIOL6201 Big Questions in Biology (6 units)

• BIOL8021 Health and Disease in a Changing World (6 units)

• ENVS6013 Society and Environmental Change (6 units)

• ENVS8015 Contemporary Perspectives in Environmental Science (6 units)

• SCNC8000 Science Internship(6 units)

• SCOM6003 Science in Popular Fiction (6 units)

• SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Design and Delivery (6 units)

• SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web (6 units)

• SCOM6015 Speaking of Science (6 units)

• SCOM6016 Science in the Media (6 units)

• SCOM6027 Science Politics (6 units)

• SCOM6029 Cross Cultural Perspectives in Science Communication (6 units)

• SCOM6030 Science Dialogue Theory and Practice (6 units)

• SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics (6 units)

• SCOM6032 Making Modern Science (6 units)

• SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication (6 units)

• SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

• VCPG6001 Unravelling Complexity (6 units)

• VCPG6003 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World (6 units)

• VCPG6004 Creating Impact (6 units)

A maximum of 12 units from completion of elective courses offered by the ANU

48 units from completion of the following research component:

EITHER
 

• BIOL8701 Research Project, which must be undertaken twice in consecutive semesters (24+24 units).

OR
 

• MEDN8701 Medical Research Project, which must be undertaken twice in consecutive semesters (24+24 units).

Students must achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark in the first 48 units of courses attempted and have the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project in order to remain in enrolled in the Master of Science (Advanced) in Biological Sciences and progress to the research project. A condition of supervisor approval is that the research project is feasible and it should be noted that the majority of research projects will require on campus attendance.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% Weighted Average Mark or do not have the approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to Master of Science in Biological Sciences or a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Master Research

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. 

Master Research Training

This degree has been accredited at AQF Level 9 with a significant component of Research. 

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent
 

• with a minimum GPA of at least 5.5/7.0

• with at least 8 courses in a cognate discipline, which must also have a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0.

The GPA requirement for this program must be met by both the program as a whole, as well as by the 8 courses in a cognate discipline. Where more than 8 cognate courses have been completed by the applicant, ANU will take the best 8 courses when assessing the cognate GPA.

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0. 

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. 

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 
 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency. 

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

 Annual indicative fee for international students

$48,802

Employment Opportunities

A postgraduate degree in biological science will provide you with a solid background to pursue career goals in a range of fields including plant and animal laboratory science, field ecology, industry, agriculture, public and environmental policy.

Our graduates find interesting careers in a range of areas including agricultural biotechnology and plant breeding, clinical or medical research, pharmaceutical companies, biosecurity, environmental policy and biological education

The Master of Science in Biological Sciences (Advanced) can also lead to a PhD.