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3D illustration Rendering of binary code pattern.

Graduate Diploma in Molecular Biology

Overview

Acquire high-level knowledge and develop practical skills relevant to modern molecular biology research or industry practice.

With UQ's one -year Graduate Diploma in Molecular Biology program, you can build practical skills as you experience laboratory techniques such as electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, endonuclease mapping, fluorescent reporters and expression vectors.

You'll develop an advanced knowledge of the structure and function of genes and the proteins they encode. Your study will cover genome sequencing, recombinant DNA technology and macromolecular structure determination. Through laboratory practicals, workshops, projects and directed study, you'll receive training in bioinformatics, molecular genetics, biomolecular structure and function, and immunology.

You'll also be able to write your own research proposal and carry out a project as part of your course choices.

Plus you'll graduate with the high-level knowledge and skills to achieve your goals in modern molecular biology research or industry practice.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025), Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Program Code
5127
AQF
Level 8
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$50560
Duration
1 Year full-time
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025), Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5127
CRICOS Code
034055D
AQF
Level 8

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Study at an international powerhouse of teaching and research in chemical and molecular life sciences.
  • Learn from scientists who have contributed to breakthroughs in safer vaccines, antibiotic resistance, viral infections and early breast cancer detection.
  • Enhance your technical and research skills in core areas of molecular biology, protein technology and bioinformatics.
  • Create and carry out your own research project.

1 in Queensland for biological sciences

QS World University Rankings 2024

1 in Australia for biotechnology

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Research experience
  • Laboratory work
  • Workshops

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory
  • Advanced Protein Technology
  • Advanced Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Concepts in Bioinformatics

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Analytical biochemist
  • Genetic pathologist
  • Immunologist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Environmental biologist
  • Bioinformatician
  • Pharmaceutical scientist
  • Microbiologist
  • Embryologist
  • Virologist

Graduate salary

Science and mathematics (postgraduate)

$81K–$100K

compared.edu.au

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, with at least one course in chemistry and biology, or
  • a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in molecular biology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, with at least one course in chemistry and biology, or
  • a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in molecular biology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Related programs

English language requirements

IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.

PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.

BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.

CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.

OET is not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Graduate Diploma in Molecular Biology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$8,950

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

$8,950

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $50,560

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

AUD $50,560

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Graduate Diploma in Molecular Biology are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
  • To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
  • To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

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Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics

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1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)1 Year full-time

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