Specializations for Masters in Biotechnology in Australia
The concentration subjects for biotechnology programs cover different aspects of the field according to its usage and field dependence. Specialization areas for post graduate programs in biotechnology in Australia are as follows:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – The specialization investigates the workings of the natural world. It provides insights into mechanisms of growth, evolution, development, reproduction and diseases with a biotechnical lens.
Environmental and Agricultural Biotechnology – The field of agricultural biotechnology includes research on and development of pest and disease resistant crops that thrive in spite of environmental stresses like drought or salinity, and provide increased nutritional value by studying techniques in plant cells and tissue culture.
Genetics and Genomics – Under this specialization students study biological processes in horticultural crops with an approach to understand genes and genomes, functional genomics, and genome-scales. The emphasis is also on aspects of plant improvement, pre-breeding and breeding methodologies, and qualitative and quantitative inheritance of traits in horticultural crops including gene editing and synthetic biology approaches.
Synthetic Biology – The field seeks to provide novel solutions for medicine, manufacturing, agriculture, by creating new biological components and systems that do not already exist in nature. The field involves the study of introduction of new genetic circuits of DNA into organisms & the study of natural systems to produce products for industrial or biomedical applications.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology– It encompasses the application of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to the development and manufacture of medicines and therapeutic treatments. Australia has been an active participant in the biotechnology sector, with both industry and academic research institutions making significant contributions.
Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Biotechnology in Australia
The general eligibility criteria for postgraduate biotechnology programs in Australia are given below. The minimum criteria will vary as per university requirements.
Admission Process for Masters in Biotechnology in Australia
Let’s have a look at the admission process that you have to follow for applying to the Masters in Biotechnology in Australia:
Apply to one or more programs by submitting documents
On acceptance, receive an offer letter from the university, upon which within the given time final documents can be submitted if only provisional ones have been submitted earlier.
Accept the offer and submit the fee
Accept the offer by responding to the email confirming admission and submit the fee as per university guidelines.
Scholarships for Masters in Biotechnology in Australia
Scholarships for postgraduate programs in biotechnology Australia can be applied for while application. Many Australian universities offer entrance or merit scholarships for international students with general or specific criteria for the program they are taking admission in. Some university scholarships are given as under but international students can also explore multiple external scholarships.
George Swinburne Postgraduate STEM Scholarship – Swinburne University of Technology
Commencing postgraduate in STEM courses including in Master of Science in Biotechnology can receive 30 percent off on tuition fee for the duration of the program on fulfilling all criteria. International students automatically get considered for this scholarship.
Vice Chancellor Scholarship – India & Sri Lanka – La Trobe University
High achieving international students will receive a 100% deduction on annual tuition fee for the entire duration of the program. It is an application based scholarship which means a separate application has to be submitted to apply for the scholarship.
La Trobe International Scholarship
La Trobe University rewards high achieving international students a reduction of 20-25% on their tuition fee based on scores in undergraduate qualification. Students who apply to the eligible program at the university are automatically considered for it.
Global Excellence Scholarship – The Western University of Australia
It is a scholarship for international students that offer up to $24,000 for two years for post graduate programs based on the weighted average mark (WAM).
Jobs after Masters in Biotechnology in Australia
Graduates of masters programs in biotechnology can work in various industries like pharmacy, technology, education, law and more. Below are some common job roles that students fill in on completing the program in Australia.
Other Opportunities: scientific reporting, medical writing, manufacturing, patent law, business development, and policy.
Salaries for Jobs after Biotechnology Postgraduate Programs
The average salaries for biotechnology postgraduate students in Australia are:
NOTE: Information about average salaries has been collectively sourced from Glassdoor, Payscale, SEEK and Indeed.
Alternate Program for Postgraduate Degree in Biotechnology in Australia
Graduate Diploma of Science in Biotechnology: An alternative program for the degree is a Graduate Diploma of Science in Biotechnology. It is a one-year program designed for students of botany, zoology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, agriculture, veterinary science and other basic biological & chemical sciences.
The program prepares students for careers in medicine and health, agriculture, pharmaceutical and environment industries, biotechnology enterprises and science education.
The admission requirements for the course are similar to that of the master’s degree.
Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology: This is another alternate to masters in Biotechnology in Australia that involves a shorter period of study than a master’s or PhD program. It provides specialized training in biotechnology to equip students with advanced skills and knowledge in a specific area of the field.
