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Course code I77

Master of Bioinformatics

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About this Course

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.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.

Course code I77

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $29,600

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT PT FT PT
Mount Lawley
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

About this Course

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.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.

Course code I77

CRICOS code 0100038

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $39,950

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT FT
Mount Lawley
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • 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.
  • 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.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • 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.
  • 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.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAT5212Biostatistics20
CSI6208Programming Principles20
MAT6206Data Analysis and Visualisation20
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCH6234Molecular Biology and Genomics20
SCI6150Biological Databases and Data Mining20
SCI6152Mass Spectrometry in Systems Biology20
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
RES5115Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches20
SCI6151Integrative Systems Biology20
SCH6245Clinical Bioinformatics20
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI6108 ^Postgraduate Science Project60
OR the following unit for students with an approved professional placement
SCI6700 ^Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics)60

^ Core Option

I77|4

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students have the opportunity to spend their final semester undertaking a professional placement embedded within a host organisation. Successful applicants for this capstone placement opportunity will enrol in and complete SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) in place of SCI6108.

    Attendance requirements

    Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 300 hours over a maximum of 17 weeks. Typical full-time placements usually comprise 450 hours of professional placement.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Students, the WIL host organisation and the school's WIL Coordinator must complete a WIL documentation pack (which includes all required OSH and Risk Assessment documents) before the placement can commence. WIL host organisations may have additional clearance requirements of applicants, including evidence of police clearance, non-disclosure agreements or research ethics clearances.

    There may also be vaccination or other similar requirements, including those imposed by government or third-party placement hosts, that apply to Professional Placements which form part of your course. Please consider this requirement before applying for Professional Placement and speak with the WIL and Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete the Professional Placement unit if you are unable to meet the placement requirements.

    Professional practice rules

    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 an industry or university setting.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on a complex body of specialist knowledge and understanding of recent developments and methods applicable to the field of Bioinformatics and related disciplines.
  2. Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in Bioinformatics.
  3. Apply communication skills to design innovative contributions to professional practice in Bioinformatics.
  4. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial project or contribution to professional practice in Bioinformatics.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time Online

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
MAT5212Biostatistics20
CSI6208Programming Principles20
MAT6206Data Analysis and Visualisation20
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCH6234Molecular Biology and Genomics20
SCI6150Biological Databases and Data Mining20
SCI6152Mass Spectrometry in Systems Biology20
Year 2 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
RES5115Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches20
SCI6151Integrative Systems Biology20
SCH6245Clinical Bioinformatics20
Year 2 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
SCI6108 ^Postgraduate Science Project60
OR the following unit for students with an approved professional placement
SCI6700 ^Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics)60

^ Core Option

I77|4

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students have the opportunity to spend their final semester undertaking a professional placement embedded within a host organisation. Successful applicants for this capstone placement opportunity will enrol in and complete SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) in place of SCI6108.

    Attendance requirements

    Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 300 hours over a maximum of 17 weeks. Typical full-time placements usually comprise 450 hours of professional placement.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Students, the WIL host organisation and the school's WIL Coordinator must complete a WIL documentation pack (which includes all required OSH and Risk Assessment documents) before the placement can commence. WIL host organisations may have additional clearance requirements of applicants, including evidence of police clearance, non-disclosure agreements or research ethics clearances.

    There may also be vaccination or other similar requirements, including those imposed by government or third-party placement hosts, that apply to Professional Placements which form part of your course. Please consider this requirement before applying for Professional Placement and speak with the WIL and Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete the Professional Placement unit if you are unable to meet the placement requirements.

    Professional practice rules

    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 an industry or university setting.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on a complex body of specialist knowledge and understanding of recent developments and methods applicable to the field of Bioinformatics and related disciplines.
  2. Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in Bioinformatics.
  3. Apply communication skills to design innovative contributions to professional practice in Bioinformatics.
  4. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial project or contribution to professional practice in Bioinformatics.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $29,600 - Domestic fee paying estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

This course places students with an industry/organisation for their semester-long project. The placement will enable students to undertake a bioinformatics project or professional placement 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.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $39,950 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

This course places students with an industry/organisation for their semester-long project. The placement will enable students to undertake a bioinformatics project or professional placement 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.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Experiences

Experiences

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Master of Bioinformatics?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.