The Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences offers graduate programs by research and by coursework at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral levels.
Honours Program
The Department’s Honours program is a one-year course of study for pass graduates with suitable backgrounds in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Queensland or another university. It provides direct entry to postgraduate training, by equipping students with the skills needed to design and conduct a research project. Students are able to pursue a research project of interest, under the supervision of a member of the academic staff or, in some cases, in a laboratory in a specialist research centre. Students graduating with First or Second Class (Division A) Honours can enrol directly for a PhD.
Postgraduate Training
The Department takes pride in the level of support it is able to give to the 102 PhD and 10 research Masters students currently enrolled. Training in animal handling, ethics, safety, equipment use, thesis writing and the use of scientific databases is provided in a series of short courses. Close supervision is given by a Principal supervisor and one or more Associate supervisors and progress is monitored closely by a departmental committee which also provides guidance and, where necessary, assistance. Extensive additional personal and professional support is also available at Faculty and University levels.
Postgraduate students are encouraged to attend the Department’s extensive seminar program which features presentations by prominent international scientists. Students are also encouraged and supported to attend national and international conferences and to present their work in these wider forums. From time-to-time, students have the chance to carry out some of their research in laboratories in other research institutions, both locally and overseas.
The Department’s postgraduate program has a strong international focus. Our current graduate student body includes 24 international students from 14 countries, mainly in Asia, but also including Europe and North America. In 1996, the Department’s staff conducted a postgraduate coursework program at the Eijkman Institute in Indonesia. The strong links forged then have seen a number of students from the Eijkman Institute undertake doctoral and Masters level courses in the Department. Similarly, a collaborative program with Jilin University in China has seen an on-going exchange of staff and postgraduate students between the two institutions. As well as providing a range of biochemistry and molecular biology opportunities, the Department is a major participant in the rapidly expanding biotechnology area and a contributor to its research training and coursework degrees.
By Research
Students considering a graduate research program will find it useful to peruse the wesite section on Research Programs and the Staff Profiles to identify those staff members whose areas of research are of interest. We strongly encourage direct contact with staff members to discuss possible research projects. Email and telephone details are included with each Profile.
- Prerequisites: Students with a Masters degree or with Honours 1 or IIA (or equivalent) are usually able to enter directly into a PhD program. Those wishing to enter the Masters program require either Honours or a postgraduate diploma. Other qualifications, particularly if supported by research experience, may be deemed equivalent. Overseas qualifications will be assessed by the University’s International Education Directorate against guidelines provided by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition to determine equivalence to qualifications awarded by Australian universities.
- Financial Support - Australian Students: Students who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents and who are enrolled in research higher degrees (PhD or Masters) receive HECS exemption scholarships from the University. A range of competitive scholarships which provide a living allowance is also available. These include Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry) (APA(I)), awarded by the Australian Government, and University of Queensland Postgraduate Research Scholarships (UQPRS). Currently these scholarships pay $17,071 per year for APA and UQPRS and $22,030 for APA(I). These stipends are currently non-taxable. The Department also awards a small number of scholarships, usually at the APA rate, to assist qualified students. APA top-up scholarships may be offered to outstanding students. The Department provides further financial support to many graduate students in return for tutoring.
- Financial Support - International Students: International students are required to pay tuition fees (currently $18,000 per annum for research higher degrees undertaken in a Science discipline). Each year, the University awards scholarships to a number of outstanding overseas students. These scholarships pay tuition fees and in most cases a stipend equal to UQPRS rates (see above). The Department is unable to offer scholarships which cover both fees and a stipend, but in some cases is able to offer assistance towards fees. The Australian Government’s overseas aid agency, AusAID, offers scholarships to citizens of some countries in Africa, Asia or the Pacific. These can be applied for only through the Australian Embassy in the capital city of those countries.
By Coursework
The Faculty offers coursework programs, leading to a Graduate Certificate (one semester; eight units), a Graduate Diploma (two semesters; 16 units) or a Masters degree (3 semesters; 24 units). Each level of coursework may be included as credit towards
the next level. That is, a student who has completed a Graduate Diploma may need to complete only one additional semester to be awarded a Masters degree. Students should seek advice from the Head of Department to ensure an appropriate selection of subjects.
- Prerequisites: Generally, a pass degree is required for entry to the Graduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma. An Honours degree or graduate diploma (or equivalent experience) is required for direct entry at Masters level.
- Financial Matters: Coursework degrees incur fees for both Australian citizens and international students. Currently the rate is $A1,000 per unit. Approximately eight units per semester are required of full-time students. Scholarship support from the Australian Government or the University of Queensland is not available to coursework students.
The research being undertaken by members of the Department encompasses the major areas of biochemistry and molecular biology, as set out below. Molecular biology, molecular genetics, cell biology and biological chemistry are the sciences which underpin these research areas.
Further information on graduate programs generally and scholarship information may be obtained from the University of Queensland Graduate School: telephone: +61 7 3365 3477;
email: wfreeman@research.uq.edu.au;
or by perusing the Website: http://www.uq.edu.au/research/grad-school.
Information on programs specific to Biochemistry may be obtained by contacting Professor Ross Smith, telephone: +61 7 3365 4627;
email ross@biosci.uq.edu.au;
or Mr David Clyde, telephone +61 7 3365 4621;
email clyde@biosci.uq.edu.au.
International students should also contact the University’s International Education Directorate (telephone: +61 7 3365 1960;
email: IEOenquiries@mailbox.uq.edu.au) to obtain information on English language requirements, recognition of academic qualifications and visa requirements.
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