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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 online study.
This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.
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.
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.
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.
Students are required to apply in writing to the Work Integrated Learning Coordinator (the student's Course Coordinator can advise who is the responsible staff member) upon successful completion of 120 credit points of study. Students should seek the advice of their Course Coordinator and the WIL Coordinator as to the appropriateness of pursuing the work placement option within their course structure. Successful applicants will need to complete any directed pre-placement preparation activities.
Students enrol in SCI6700 in place of SCI6108
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.
Where students do not successfully complete SCI6700 they will be required to enrol in SCI6108 the following semester.
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
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.
This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| MAT5212 | Biostatistics | 20 |
| CSI6208 | Programming Principles | 20 |
| MAT6206 | Machine Learning | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SCH6234 | Molecular Biology and Genomics | 20 |
| SCI6150 | Biological Databases and Data Mining | 20 |
| SCI6152 | Mass Spectrometry in Systems Biology | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| RES5115 | Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches | 20 |
| SCI6151 | Integrative Systems Biology | 20 |
| SCH6245 | Clinical Bioinformatics | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SCI6108 ^ | Postgraduate Science Project | 60 |
| OR the following unit for students with an approved professional placement | ||
| SCI6700 ^ | Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) | 60 |
^ Core Option
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
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