This program is only available to International students. The Master of Science with Honours is a 2 year program, with the first year consisting of coursework and laboratory classes, and the second year comprising research training and the completion of a research project. All students are required to initially enrol in the Master of Science with Honours. For progression into Year 2 of the program (Honours), students must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0 for the prescribed 80 credit points of coursework in Year 1 of the program. Students who do not meet this level of achievement are required to exit the program and, subject to meeting all requirements, will graduate with a Master of Science. Students who have met the GPA requirement upon completion of Year 1 for progression into Year 2, but who do not wish to progress to Honours, may apply to exit with the Master of Science by lodging a Request for Program Articulation form with their local Graduate Student Centre. This program provides students with advanced, cutting-edge theoretical knowledge in their chosen area of specialisation, together with the practical and research skills necessary for employment in the industry and/or research laboratories. The knowledge and skills that students are equipped with will enable graduates to be job-ready. High achieving students may also be eligible for entry into research higher degree programs. Students can select from the following specialisations: * Biotechnology and Molecular Biology * Molecular Microbiology Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Provides training in biotechnology and molecular biology to allow access to careers in industry and/or research in Australia and overseas. A major focus is the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the modern molecular disciplines that underpin recent advances in the broad biotechnology field. The first year of the program offers advanced courses in the areas encompassed by biotechnology and molecular biology - bioinformatics, protein science, molecular biology, biotechnology and specialised laboratory courses - plus elective choices in medical biotechnology (immunology, neuroscience, clinical pathology, infectious disease), plant biotechnology (plant biotechnology and molecular biology, case studies in forestry and horticulture science), and microbial biotechnology (applied molecular microbiology, systems microbiology, techniques in molecular microbiology). The second year involves research training and completion of a research project. Molecular Microbiology Fundamental concepts of microbiology are interwoven with the new technological advances to provide a knowledge base which can be used as a springboard to launch into a research driven modern microbiology career path, with specialisation in one of three strands: * Infectious Diseases * Microbiology and Biotechnology * Public Health and Environmental Microbiology. The Infectious Disease strand involves understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms, occurrences and laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases, the basis of host-microbe interactions, and the influence of emerging bacterial and viral diseases and infection control. Public Health and Environmental Microbiology focuses on the applications of classical and molecular microbiology to understanding and dealing with the key issues confronting the detection and control of microbes in the public health arena and general environment, and includes issues of biosecurity and water and food quality. The Microbiology and Biotechnology strand will have a major focus on the use of modern molecular techniques in genome and protein science and bioinformatics in applications relevant to areas of traditional and emerging microbial biotechnology and research.

Graduates of the Biotechnology and Molecular Biology specialisation will find work in the rapidly expanding international biotechnology sector and in research laboratories. Graduates will be eligible to join AusBiotech and other relevant societies such the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The Microbiology specialisation provides an education in a variety of topics that together form a dynamic science and prepare students directly for employment. The merging of microbiology with modern molecular biology techniques and biotechnology makes for exiting, evolving careers in research, industry, government and academia. Participation in 'hands-on' laboratory experiments and frontier research is emphasised so that graduates will have the practical experience and expertise needed for their future careers.