Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology

Course 786-AB (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009.

Year and Campus:	2009
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level:	Graduate/Postgraduate

 ContactCourse Coordinator: Dr David Tribe detribe@unimelb.edu.au 

Course Overview:	Biotechnology is the application of molecular, genetic and cellular techniques from the life sciences for practical contribution to human welfare, often applied in a commercial setting. It includes both medical areas such as vaccine and drug development, industrial activities such as hormone manufacturing using large scale cell culture or drug synthesis using enzyme catalysis, and non-medical applications such as waste treatment and biofuel production. The Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology offers a flexible path of personal and professional development that suited for entry into a wide range of biotechnology industries and research enterprises.
Objectives:	The framework of the Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology is designed to allow students of diverse backgrounds great flexibility of subject choice according to their area of particular interest. It provides students with an opportunity to catch up on the introductory aspects of certain subjects, and permits specialisation in advanced subjects. There is an opportunity to obtain significant experimental experience during the research project which is part of the diploma training. The course is designed to: foster acquisition of a broad range of up to date knowledge appropriate for employment in the biotechnology sector develop research, analytical, and communication skills provide significant research experience through 'on the job' training ; provide skills in advanced techniques through using state of the art equipment; develop leadership for the science-biotechnology base of industry, economy and human welfare.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:	Completion of 100 points from a selection of approved subjects offered in the disciplines of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Genetics, History and Philosophy of Science, Medical Biology, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Physiology. All students are required to do 510-801 Major Project in Biotechnology (25 points). A minimum of 37.5 points from Group A subjects (see list below). The remaining 37.5 points may be from Group A, Group B, Group C or non-group subjects (eg offered by Engineering, Agriculture and Forestry, Arts, Law and Social Science as approved by the course coordinator), with no more than 12.5 points from Group B. Quota: Some of the subjects offered in this course are quota subjects. The selection of students in quota-restricted subjects is based primarily on tertiary results.
Subject Options:	Core Subject: Core Subject Core Subject: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 510-801 Major Project in Biotechnology Summer, Semester 1, Semester 2 25.000 Group A Subjects (At least 37.5 points of the course must be taken from this group): Group A Subjects Group A Subjects: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 411-335 Biochemical/Environmental Engineering 1B Not offered in 2009 6.250 411-448 Biochemical/Environmental Engineering 2 Semester 2 12.500 521-301 Protein Structure and Function Semester 2 12.500 521-302 Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Semester 1 12.500 521-303 Molecular Aspects of Cell Biology Semester 1 12.500 526-301 Microbial Cells and Genomes Semester 2 12.500 526-302 Microbial Biotechnology Not offered in 2009 610-333 Molecular Technology Semester 2 12.500 652-302 Genes: Organisation and Function Semester 1 12.500 Group B Subjects (No more than 12.5 points should be taken from this group): Group B Subjects: Group B Subjects: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 516-201 Cell Biology: Tissues and Organs Not offered in 2009 12.50 521-211 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Semester 1 12.500 521-212 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function Semester 2 12.500 521-220 Techniques in Molecular Science Semester 1, Semester 2 12.500 526-201 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology Semester 1 12.500 526-205 Microbes: Infections and Responses Semester 2 12.500 526-221 Experimental Microbiology Semester 1, Semester 2 12.500 531-201 Basic Principles of Pathology-Science Semester 2 12.500 534-201 Fundamentals of Pharmacology Semester 2 12.500 536-201 Principles of Physiology Not offered in 2009 12.50 536-202 Physiology (General Practical)Not offered in 2009 Not offered in 2009 606-205 Cell Biology: Concepts and Diversity Not offered in 2009 12.50 610-220 Organic Chemistry Not offered in 2009 12.50 610-260 Analysis in Chemical and Life Sciences Not offered in 2009 12.50 652-214 Principles of Genetics Semester 1 12.500 652-215 Genes and Genomes Semester 2 12.500 652-216 Experiments in Genetics Semester 1, Semester 2 12.500 Group C Subjects: Group C Subjects Group C Subjects: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 510-802 Biotechnology Research Methods Semester 1, Semester 2 25.000 516-302 Developmental Biology Semester 2 12.500 521-304 Cell Signalling and Neurochemistry Semester 2 12.500 521-305 Biochemistry of Metabolism & Nutrition Semester 1 12.500 521-307 Biomolecular Structure & Bioinformatics Not offered in 2009 12.50 521-321 Gene Technology & Protein Expression Not offered in 2009 12.50 521-322 Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics Not offered in 2009 12.50 526-304 Principles of Immunology Semester 1 12.500 526-305 Medical and Applied Immunology Semester 2 12.500 526-321 Molecular Microbiology Techniques Semester 1 12.500 526-324 Immunological Techniques Semester 1 12.500 526-326 Projects: Immunology Semester 2 12.500 526-327 Projects: Microbiology Semester 2 12.500 531-301 Cellular Basis of Disease Semester 1 12.500 531-302 Techniques for Investigation of Disease Semester 1 12.500 531-303 Molecular/Genetic Basis of Disease-Lect Semester 2 12.500 534-301 Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Semester 1 25.000 534-302 Neuropharmacology Semester 1 12.500 534-305 Toxicology Semester 2 12.500 534-306 Drug Discovery Semester 2 12.500 536-301 Cardiovascular Health: Genes & Hormones Semester 1 12.500 536-302 Molecular Neurophysiology Semester 2 12.500 536-311 Molecular/Cellular Basis of Physiology Semester 2 12.500 606-309 Frontiers of Cell Biology Semester 1 12.500 610-320 Organic Chemistry IIIA Semester 2 12.500 652-301 Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics Semester 1 12.500 652-304 Genetic Analysis Semester 2 12.500 652-305 Human and Medical Genetics Semester 2 12.500 652-306 Experimental Genetics Not offered in 2009 12.50
Entry Requirements:	A bachelor degree in science, engineering or other approved qualifications. Preference will be given to candidates with relevant work experience. Candidates are expected to provide evidence that they have already completed at least one university course in Biology and at least one University course in Chemistry.
Core Participation Requirements:	For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry. It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Graduate Attributes:	None
Notes:	Students will complete normal end of semester examinations for the subjects in which they have enrolled. Satisfactory completion of subjects worth 75 points, along with satisfactory completion of the 25 point research project, is required to obtain the Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology.

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Core Subject

Group A Subjects

Group B Subjects:

Group C Subjects