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Master of Science in Quantitative Biology & Bioinformatics (Advanced option available)

Overview

The Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics from Australia's national university is your opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge for working with biological data in consultancy, research and policy roles.

You will develop the ability to organise and analyse information from genes, cells, protein interactions, health records and other kinds of biological data, statistically, mathematically and computationally.

Quantitative skills in working with biological data are increasingly sought after within commercial, academic and government sectors.

At the ANU Research School of Biology, research scientists specialise in methods and tools for analysing biological data. You will work closely with the School’s scientists, and be provided with the practical experience and theoretical knowledge to develop your skills, including the use of advanced computer technology and labs.

At completion of your degree, you will be able to:

  • Confidently use the R statistical computing language, and generate high-quality graphs
  • Manipulate and analyse biological sequences using public sequence databases
  • Use the SQL language to define, query and manipulate a relational database
  • Investigate application areas and current research directions of data mining
  • Apply and extend analytical methods, models and theories to biological data sets
  • Design, write and debug small programs to solve practical scientific problems
  • Reflect upon the ethical and social impacts of data mining.

Advanced program

The Advanced program incorporates a research project supervised by an academic, and is a gateway to further research, such as a PhD. Students will develop work on an original research project that guilds on, and applies, their knowledge of quantitative biological data.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for the Advanced version of this program.

Key facts

  • #1 for Natural Sciences (QS 2023) in Australia
  • 2 years full time
  • Access to state-of-the-art facilities
  • #1 in Australia for graduate employability (Times Higher Education)
  • Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for the Advanced version of this program

Testimonials

Priya Rao

Priya Rao

“What I personally am interested in – the reason why I also came here to ANU – is mostly malaria research.” That led Priya to the Master of Science (Advanced) in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics at ANU, which she describes as “basically a cocktail of biology with mathematics, statistics, and computer science.”

Careers

Graduating from the Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics will make you highly employable. The degree will enhance your existing abilities and expertise, building on your undergraduate experience to retrain for a new career, or provide you with new tools and insight into your work or study ambitions.

As a graduate, you will be highly employable for work in consultancy, research, policy and management roles in Australia and across the world, including project management, research and analysis, education and community awareness, and policy.

The Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics provides you with skills that are in high demand in a variety of areas including:

  • Forensic science
  • Agri-technology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical Research
  • Bioengineering and Biotechnology

The Australian National University has been ranked as the top university for graduate employability in Australia in the Global University Employability Ranking 2022. As a student at ANU, you gain access to the ANU CareerHub – an online career development and employability tool that includes a jobs board and careers resources. You also have access to drop-in chats with a career consultant and to attend our career fairs to meet potential employers.

Learning experience

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Fees & scholarships

Fees

Please visit the Programs and Courses website for information about fees.

View fees View fees for advanced program

Scholarships

Whether you are looking for financial support to start your studies at ANU or help to move away from home for the first time, we have scholarship opportunities for you and your situation.

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Convenors

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Professor Gavin Huttley

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Gavin is a group leader at the ANU Research School of Biology and a recipient of the Howard Florey Young Investigator award. Gavin's research is focussed on genome decryption — identifying regions of the genome which encode functions that influence susceptibility to disease — through analysis of genetic variation.

How to apply

Understand the how to apply steps

Visit the international postgraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.

International postgraduate applications

Understand the how to apply steps

Visit the domestic postgraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.

Domestic postgraduate applications
 

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