University of Technology Sydney

C04389v2 Master of Philosophy in Medical Biotechnology

Award(s): Master of Philosophy in Medical Biotechnology (MPhilMedBiotech)
CRICOS code: 098055G
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 96
Course EFTSL: 2
Location: City campus

Notes

This course is not offered by direct entry. Admission is via Course Transfer with faculty approval.


Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Other information

Overview

The Master of Phillosophy in Medical Biotechnology provides students with a unique opportunity to undertake original research and gain in-depth knowledge in their particular scientific field. Students have access to staff that are leading researchers and experts in their field. Undertaking this course allows students to explore their research potential and develop research skills. This course is designed to provide a scholarship pathway to the UTS PhD program.

The course contains a compulsory core of professional subjects relevant to all science disciplines. The subjects in the core provide a backbone of skills important to a professional scientist; be they engaged in research, science businesses, industries or government organisations. These are the skills of communication, critical analysis, project management and innovation and commercialisation. The professional stream has options for specialised professional skills development and is complemented by medical biotechnology study.

The second half of the course comprises a substantial research component, giving students an opportunity to undertake original, cutting-edge research. For students with suitable achievement levels, this provides a direct pathway to a PhD, and carries points that can be used in the scholarship application process.

Course aims

The course provides graduates with analytic tools and disciplinary knowledge, combined with creative, logical approaches to problem solving and professional skills that facilitate real-world application of the science such as project management, IP management and commercialisation. With a substantial research component, students develop and expand their research skills, which can be utilised either in industry R&D or as the initial foundations of a professional research career.

Career options

All graduates have training in the professional attributes that employers seek. The skills learnt expand career horizons and enhance prospects for promotion in the rapidly evolving science professions. Graduates may also proceed to a career in research through entry to a PhD.

Course intended learning outcomes

1.1 Critically appraise and apply advanced knowledge and technical skills to independently conduct a substantial project to inform professional practice in science and medical biotechnology.
2.1 Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate approaches to independent research and solving complex problems by independently developing and applying a research methodology to address a research need in a relevant professional context.
3.1 Develop, prepare, and engage, at times collaboratively, in safe, ethical, organised work and research practices that mitigate risk and contribute to solving global health problems in the context of science and medical biotechnology.
4.1 Reflectively discover, create, and evaluate processes used to determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information to derive and independently implement, and critically evaluate innovative solutions to complex science and medical biotechnology problems.
5.1 Present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate with discipline experts, scientists, industry, and the general public.
6.1 Critically reflect on Indigenous Australian contexts to inform research and professional cultural capability to work effectively with and for, Indigenous Australians within science and medical biotechnology.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.

This program is normally available to students who have commenced in the Master of Medical Biotechnology (Extension) (C04388) or Master of Medical Biotechnology (C04390), and demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and research potential. Admission is via internal course transfer. Prospective students have to complete the supplementary faculty honours admission form and organise a supervisor and project.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Recognition of prior learning

Students enrolled in this course may be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 24 credit points if the subjects previously studied are deemed by UTS: Science to be equivalent to those specified for their course.

To be considered for recognition of prior learning, subjects must normally have been completed no more than five years prior to the commencement of this course.

Course duration and attendance

The course is offered on a two-year, full-time basis.

Course structure

The course requires 96 credit points of study, comprising 32 credit points of core subjects, 16 credit points of professional stream subjects, and a 48-credit-point intensive research component.

This honours component of the course is a research project that extends over the final year and normally takes the form of an experimental, analytical or theoretical investigation. Candidates may also be required to undertake one or more critical reviews of the literature in the area of their project. During the course of their research project, candidates are also offered workshops to help with the writing and interpretation of results. The results of the project are presented in an oral seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are formally assessed.

Course completion requirements

STM91853 Core subjects (Medical Biotechnology PG) 36cp
STM91857 Professional stream (Science PG) 12cp
STM91286 Medical Biotechnology Thesis 48cp
Total 96cp

Course program

The following example shows a typical full-time program.

Autumn commencing, full time
Year 1
Autumn session
68109 Advanced Communication Skills in Science   6cp
91573 Advanced Microscopy and Imaging   6cp
60904 Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation   6cp
91191 Bionanotechnology   6cp
Spring session
60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design   6cp
91575 Proteomics   6cp
91574 Biotechnology Solutions to Infectious Diseases   6cp
69513 Medical Microbiology   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
60120 Medical Biotechnology Thesis 1   24cp
Spring session
60121 Medical Biotechnology Thesis 2   24cp
Spring commencing, full time
Year 1
Spring session
68109 Advanced Communication Skills in Science   6cp
91575 Proteomics   6cp
91574 Biotechnology Solutions to Infectious Diseases   6cp
69513 Medical Microbiology   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design   6cp
91573 Advanced Microscopy and Imaging   6cp
60904 Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation   6cp
91191 Bionanotechnology   6cp
Spring session
60120 Medical Biotechnology Thesis 1   24cp
Year 3
Autumn session
60121 Medical Biotechnology Thesis 2   24cp

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS

Further information regarding honours, including available projects and the application process, can be found at:

UTS: Science, Honours