Master of Quantitative Biology

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Develop a unique skillset in quantitative biology that is increasingly sought after in commercial, government and academic sectors.
• Learn directly from researchers who develop and apply quantitative approaches to solve biological problems in areas as diverse as conservation, human health, and agriculture
• Take advantage of intensive and/or flexible teaching modes.

The Master of Quantitative Biology is the first of its kind in Australia. It integrates theory and practice through foundational courses in programming in biology and intensive core courses that focus on stochastic modelling, optimisation and computational methods in biology.

Investigate how nature works and learn to manage and organise complex data sets, perform complex statistical analyses, model natural processes and create testable theories in the context of model and non-model biological systems. Gain coding skills essential for gathering, handling, analysing and visualising biological data, and master software including Unix/Linux, Python and R. 

You will learn to navigate High Performance Computer platforms and spatial ecology tools, such as remote sensing.

This program is taught in an intensive mode, so you can complete the equivalent of two years' study in just 12 to 18 months. Graduate equipped to start advanced training in multiple areas of biology, work directly with industry and government, or create new enterprises for complex data analyses.

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Quantitative Biology is a 1.5 year course for a full-time student.  The recommended study pattern consists of 14 core subjects and 2 elective subjects, with 8 to be completed in your first study period and 8 in your second.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Quantitative Biology, students must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of 16 subjects.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $14,740

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

For more than a century, The University of Queensland (UQ) has delivered knowledge leadership for a better world. The most prestigious and widely recognised rankings of world universities consistently place UQ among the world's top universities. UQ has also won more national teaching awards than any other Australian university. This commitment to quality teaching empowers our 56,000 current students, who study across UQ’s three campuses, to create positive change for society.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

6

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

5

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with first and second-year university-level biology or mathematics, or
• a graduate diploma (or equivalent) in quantitative biology.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Start semester: The 1.5-year degree (32 units) is only available to start in Semester 2.

This program is taught on an intensive basis. Students completing 32 units will complete the program in 1.5 years.

To be eligible to complete the degree in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent), you'll need:

• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field of biology and have completed university-level mathematics including biostatistics, or
• a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics and have completed first-year university-level biology.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Start semester: The 1-year degree (24 units) is only available to start in January (Teaching Period 2, Semester 1).

This program is taught on an intensive basis. Students completing 24 units (and 8 units recognising prior study and/or work experience) will complete the program in 1 year.

All applicants must satisfy the UQ English language proficiency requirements for admission.

If you've completed previous study, you may be eligible to receive credit for – or exemption from – certain subjects in a UQ program.