Organisms of the gut-invasive genus Helicobacter, such as H. felis shown, have long been a hallmark of BABS research and are the present focus of Professor Hazel Mitchell.
Master of Philosophy (BABS)
The Master of Philosophy in Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, MPhil (BABS), includes advanced treatment of all areas of biotechnology. This program replaces the Master of Biotechnology (coursework), and provides students with a stronger qualification through emphasis on research training supplemented with a substantial coursework component. This combination will provide information on and laboratory experience with modern, sophisticated techniques that apply to a wide range of biotechnology and molecular biology fields.
The program also requires students to undertake three semesters of research, under supervision. The outcomes of the research project are then reported in a thesis, which is examined. To allow greater flexibility to pursue an area of interest, course electives may be chosen (see options below), subject to the approval of the Head of School.
Difference between Honours and MPhil (BABS)
Students should consider the MPhil (BABS) as an alternative to Honours. The UNSW Honours degree comprises 3 years of coursework, as per a Bachelor degree, with an additional Honours year of research. The entry requirement is a credit average and a small component of coursework maybe required depending on the Honours course. HECS is applicable to the Hons year.
The Master of Philosophy is an internationally recognised research degree, that sits somewhere between a BSc and a PhD. The MPhil is a research degree designed for 3 semesters, or 1.5 years, during which 3 subjects of coursework are undertaken. The MPhil (BABS) is classified as a research degree, so HECS is not applicable.
Research component
You will choose a research project from disciplines that include process biotechnology, enzyme expression and isolation, biocatalysis, environmental microbiology, bioremediation, astrobiology, biochemistry, antioxidants and ageing, biomolecular engineering, infection and immunity, bioinformatics and genomics, cancer biology, genetics, extremophiles, bioremediation and virology.
Research Projects for the MPhil (BABS) are the same as for Honours and can be found here.
Entry requirements
3 year degree with >65 (Credit) average or, for overseas applicants, a 1st Class degree or 4-year degree in a relevant discipline.
Career options
The MPhil (BABS) program is a high level qualification that will stand by itself or qualify you to enter a research higher degree program if you wish. Graduates will be qualified for employment in government, industry, education and research organisations in areas of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, enzyme biotransformations, food and beverage fermentation, environmental management and pollution control.
Coursework component
You will complete 3 courses.
Core course from BABS:
- Research Techniques (BABS7180)
Other courses from BABS
- Advanced Topics in Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS8010 - start date S2 2010)
- Environmental Biotechnology (BABS7081)
- Bioinformatics Methods and Applications (BINF9010)
- Relevant third year courses can be chosen (with permission from PG-coordinator and supervisor)
Other Elective postgraduate courses:
- Biocompatibility (BIOM9332)
- Cellular and Tissue Engineering (BIOM9333)
- Chemistry and Physics of Synthetic and BiologicalPolymers (BIOM9432)
- Chromatography (CHEM7114)
- Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (CHEM7116)
- Water Treatment (CVEN9856)
- Advanced Food Chemistry (FOOD1697)
- Food Microbiology (FOOD2627)
- Nutrition (FOOD3567)
- Risk Management (SESC9211)
- Biomass Energy Sources (SOLA9011)