Master of Bioinformatics

This course places students with an industry/organisation for their semester-long project. The placement will enable students to undertake a bioinformatics project with a host supervisor, as well as getting direct exposure to the nature of the organisation and its priorities. This provides an excellent springboard for employment following this degree. Employment opportunities will be in local government, industry, state, national government and non-government organisations, particularly in the biological, medical and research sectors.

Possible future job titles

Bioinformatician, computational biologist, computational chemist, computational scientist, systems biologist, clinical bioinformatician, data scientist, data analyst, informatician, biometrician.

Higher education

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

Special entry may be considered for students with a cognate first degree (or with appropriate experience) who can apply for a reduced course duration:

1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 180 credit points

Admission is based on:

Bachelor degree in a related discipline*, or

Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus five years relevant work experience^, or

Graduate Certificate of Bioinformatics (or equivalent), or

Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.

*Related discipline refers to any chemistry/biology discipline

^Relevant work experience constitutes Senior/Managerial positions to be approved by the Course Coordinator.

Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Bachelor degree; or
• Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Work and Life

Alternatively, applicants can apply with at least five years of appropriate professional experience.

English Proficiency Requirements

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

Practicum placement

Students undertaking a work placement will demonstrate discipline knowledge, communication and collaboration skills, in addition to a proven professional work ethic whilst undertaking projects in industry or university setting.

Attendance requirements

During their WIL placement unit, students will be required to undertake the equivalent of at least ten weeks of full-time work placement with a host organisation, at university as a research project or as an online project.

If you're applying for a course and have previous study or professional experience, you may be eligible for what we call 'advanced standing'.

For more information and to apply please go to https://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/course-entry/advanced-standing.

This course provides students with skills and experience in bioinformatics, focusing on omics science, computer programming, applied mathematics and statistics.

It provides work experience in relevant organisations within the industry, allowing students to gain an understanding of the application of bioinformatics in a real world context. It also focuses on practical skills for researchers and industry professionals in bioinformatics, and offers flexible study options through on-campus and off-campus study.

Recommended Study Pattern

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1

• MAT5212 Biostatistics 20
• CSI6208 Programming Principles 20
• MAT6206 Data Analysis and Visualisation 20

Year 1 - Semester 2

• SCH6234 Molecular Biology and Genomics 20
• SCI6150 Biological Databases and Data Mining 20
• SCI6152 Mass Spectrometry in Systems Biology 20

Year 2 - Semester 1

• RES5115 Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches 20
• SCI6151 Integrative Systems Biology 20
• SCH6245 Clinical Bioinformatics 20

Year 2 - Semester 2

• CSI6223 Work Experience Project 60

Award Requirements

Students are required to complete 10 units:

• MAT5212 Biostatistics 20
• CSI6208 Programming Principles 20
• MAT6206 Data Analysis and Visualisation 20
• SCH6234 Molecular Biology and Genomics 20
• SCI6150 Biological Databases and Data Mining 20
• SCI6152 Mass Spectrometry in Systems Biology 20
• RES5115 Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches 20
• SCI6151 Integrative Systems Biology 20
• SCH6245 Clinical Bioinformatics 20
• CSI6223 Work Experience Project 60