Master of Science (Bioinformatics)

at University of Melbourne

First year

Select the stream appropriate to your academic background.

Biology/biomedicine background

Complete all the following subjects, plus two 12.5-point elective in consultation with the Course Coordinator. (Note: Completing COMP90059 meets the prerequisite for COMP90038)
 

• Elements of Bioinformatics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Introduction to Programming

• 12.5 pts
   

• Algorithms and Complexity

• 12.5 pts
   

• Probability

• 12.5 pts
   

• Elements of Probability

• 12.5 pts
   

• Statistics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Elements of Statistics

• 12.5 pts
   

Mathematics and statistics background

Complete all the following subjects, plus one 12.5-point elective in consultation with the Course Coordinator.
 

• Foundations of Genetics and Genomics

• 12.5 pts
   

• CEBD20003

• 12.5pts
   

• Elements of Bioinformatics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Algorithms and Complexity

• 12.5 pts
   

• Human Physiology

• 12.5 pts
   

• Introduction to Programming

• 12.5 pts
   

Computer science background

Complete all the following subjects, plus one 12.5-point elective in consultation with the Course Coordinator.
 

• Foundations of Genetics and Genomics

• 12.5 pts
   

• CEBD20003

• 12.5pts
   

• Elements of Bioinformatics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Human Physiology

• 12.5 pts
   

• Probability

• 12.5 pts
   

• Elements of Probability

• 12.5 pts
   

• Statistics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Elements of Statistics

• 12.5 pts

Second year
 

Students from all backgrounds will take the following second year subjects.

Core

Complete all the following subjects:
 

• Statistics for Bioinformatics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Bioinformatics Case Studies

• 12.5 pts
   

• Algorithms for Bioinformatics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Communication for Research Scientists

• 12.5 pts
   

Selective
 

Complete one of the following subjects:
 

• Computational Genomics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Genomics and Bioinformatics

• 12.5 pts

Research project
 

All students undertake a 50-point research project. Select one of the following streams in consultation with the Project Coordinator.

To be considered for entry, you must have completed:
 

• An undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline (biology and biomedicine, mathematics and statistics, or computer science), with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 per cent in the best 50 points in appropriate discipline studies at third year, and

• The subject MAST10005 Calculus 1 (or equivalent).
   

• TOEFL (internet-based): total score at of least 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading and 13 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.
   

• IELTS: total score of at least 6.5 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0.

• Indicative first year fee AUD$48,128
   
• Indicative total course fee AUD$98,662

Career outcomes
 

Bioinformatics is one of the key sciences of this century, and demand for specialists in the area is strong and growing.
 

Our graduates go on to work as bioinformaticians, data scientists and analysts, and computational biologists.
 

Employers in this field include:
 

• Medical research institutes such as the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the Florey Institute

• Research hospitals such as the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

• Government departments of health and economic development

• Research-focused companies such as CSL and GSK

• Universities and public research institutions such the CSIRO.