Master of Science (Bioinformatics)

Course MC-SCIBIF (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Year and Campus: 2011 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 062189B
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 200 credit points taken over 24 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Dr Andrew Lonie
Email: alonie@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

Melbourne Graduate School of Science
Faculty of Science
The University of Melbourne


Tel: + 61 3 8344 6128
Fax: +61 3 8344 3351
Web: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Master of Science (Bioinformatics) is one of the research training streams of the Master of Science. The research training streams give students the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project in a field of choice as well as a broad range of coursework subjects including a professional tools component, as a pathway to PhD study or to the workforce.
Objectives:

The objectives of this course are to provide students with:

  • A broad education in bioinformatics with strong foundations in computer science, biology, and statistics;
  • Significant experience in a specific area of bioinformatics;
  • Ability to conduct independent research in bioinformatics; and
  • Potential to proceed to a PhD degree.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students undertaking the Master of Science - bioinformatics program will complete 200 points comprising:

  • Discipline subjects - 137.5 points
  • 600-616 Science in Context (Professional Tools subject) - 12.5 points
  • Research Project commencing in Semester 2 - 50 points

The first year has three streams corresponding to each of the foundation disciplines.

Biology/Biomedicine stream (for students with a biology /biomedicine background)

Semester 1
620-504 Elements of Probability
433-520 Programming and Software Development
600-500 Elements of Bioinformatics
Elective

Semester 2
620-505 Elements of Statistics
433-521 Algorithms and Complexity
600-505 Bioinformatics Research Project (12.5 points)
600-616 Science in Context

Mathematics/Statistics stream (for students with a mathematics and statistics background)

Semester 1
600-501 Genes, Molecules and Cells (25 points)
433-520 Programming and Software Development
600-500 Elements of Bioinformatics

Semester 2
536-501 Principles of Physiology
433-521 Algorithms and Complexity
600-505 Bioinformatics Research Project (12.5 points)
600-616 Science in Context

Computer Science (for students with a computing background)

Semester 1
600-501 Genes, Molecules and Cells (25 points)
620-504 Elements of Probability
600-500 Elements of Bioinformatics

Semester 2
536-501 Principles of Physiology
620-505 Elements of Statistics
600-505 Bioinformatics Research Project (12.5 points)
600-616 Science in Context

Exemptions will be granted for students who have completed equivalent subjects in their undergraduate studies.

All students undertake a common 2nd year program in 2011:

Semester 3
620-503 Statistics for Bioinformatics
433-651 Computational Genomics or 600-608 Genomics and Bioinformatics
600-505 Bioinformatics Research Project (12.5 points)
Elective

Semester 4
208-508 Bioinformatics Case Studies
433-650 Algorithms for Functional Genomics
600-504 Bioinformatics Research Project (25 points)
Entry Requirements:

Bachelor degree with a major in an appropriate discipline with at least an H3 (65%) average in the major of equivalent. Appropriate disciplines include:

  • biology and biomedicine;
  • mathematics and statistics; or
  • computer science

Students should also have a background in calculus and computing.

Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a course are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant course coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.
Further Study: The Research Training programs offer a pathway to a PhD.
Graduate Attributes:

Graduates will:

  • have the ability to demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry, analysis and reflection;
  • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
  • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s);
  • reach a high level of achievement in writing, research or project activities, problem-solving and communication;
  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
  • be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines;
  • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment; and
  • be able to initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces.

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