Master of Quantitative Biology
Overview
Master the use of programming, statistics, and mathematics to solve problems in biology.
The Master of Quantitative Biology will develop your programming, statistical and mathematical modelling, machine-learning, high-performance computing, data visualization and communication skills.
You will also learn how to apply these tools to basic and applied biological problems from bio-molecular to ecosystem levels.
The program is designed to build upon your background in biology or mathematics. If you have a background in biology, you will be able to take foundational courses to improve your quantitative skills and vice versa. You don’t need to have a programming background.
This program is taught in an intensive mode, so you can complete the equivalent of two years' study in just 12 to 18 months.
You will have the opportunity to do 2 research projects tailored to your interests - one with established academic researchers at The University of Queensland, and another with industry, government or not-for-profit partners.
Program highlights
- Develop a unique skillset in quantitative biology that is increasingly sought after in commercial, government and academic sectors.
- Learn directly from researchers who develop and apply quantitative approaches to solve biological problems in areas as diverse as conservation, human health, and agriculture
- Take advantage of intensive and/or flexible teaching modes.
How you'll learn
Due to the way they are taught, certain programs and plans are not offered online in Semester 1, 2023.
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Online study
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
- Seminars
- 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:
- Foundations of Quantitative Biology
- Computational Methods in Biology
- Dynamic Modeling of Biological Systems
- Statistical Modeling in Biology
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Biologist
- Research scientist
- Environmental consultant
- Natural resources manager
- Public health researcher
- Epidemiologist
- Biomedical researcher
- Geneticist
- Biostatistician
- Data scientist
Graduate salary
Science and mathematics (postgraduate)
compared.edu.au
Events
See all events
27 June - 28 June
Queensland Biology Winter School – Year 12
3 July - 4 July
Queensland Biology Winter School - Year 11
Stories
See all stories
UQ people
What's it like to do a PhD in artificial intelligence?
UQ people
Science skills + business savvy = biotech success
Stories
See all storiesUQ people
What's it like to do a PhD in artificial intelligence?
Careers
What jobs can you do with a Bachelor of Science?
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 1.5 years or 1 year depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
1.5-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with first and second-year university-level biology or mathematics, or
- a graduate diploma (or equivalent) in quantitative biology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Start semester: The 1.5-year degree (32 units) is only available to start in Semester 2.
This program is taught on an intensive basis. Students completing 32 units will complete the program in 1.5 years.
1-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field of biology and have completed university-level mathematics including biostatistics, or
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics and have completed first-year university-level biology.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Start semester: The 1-year degree (24 units) is only available to start in January (Teaching Period 2, Semester 1).
This program is taught on an intensive basis. Students completing 24 units (and 8 units recognising prior study and/or work experience) will complete the program in 1 year.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these 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 - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - 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.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Quantitative 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 temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
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.
$7,370
2023
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (24 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Check the courses and program structure for more details. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $64,476
2023
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.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Quantitative 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.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Quantitative Biology is 5716.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Quantitative Biology is 5716.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
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 - September 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 2 - June 30 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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
Explore other programs
Express yourself. And your interest.
They say choosing a degree is hard, which is why we've made it easy. Register your interest and we'll send you everything you need to know about applying to UQ.