Graduate Diploma in the Biotechnologies of Life

• General information
• Course structure
• Assessment
• Inquiries

General information

This is an off-campus distributed learning course conducted by the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development in association with the departments of Microbiology and Physiology, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Law, and the Centre for Human Bioethics in the Faculty of Arts. Other institutions involved include the Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research, The Murdoch Institute, Davies Collison and Cave (Patent Attorneys), Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, and the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centre for the Biological Control of Pest Animals.
The course is available as a one-year full-time, or two-year part-time program. Initially, it will be conducted on a part-time basis only.
The overall aim of the Graduate Diploma in the Biotechnologies of Life is to develop the knowledge and skills of both recent graduates and those graduates with experience in the workplace. They will be able to work confidently in all new biotechnological fields, including science, medicine, law and ethics, and assist in further development of areas such as gene therapy, conservation of endangered species, and all the other areas where genetic manipulation is used.
On completion of the graduate diploma, graduates will:

• have developed a working understanding of basic genetics and microbiology and the techniques associated with the current biotechnologies
• have developed an understanding of the laws and regulations associated with the current biotechnologies and the difficulties involved in keeping these regulations in step with the latest biotechnological practices
• be able to understand and interpret the ethical aspects of the biotechnological practices and to work within these restraints
• be able to interpret any new developments in biotechnology and apply these to update their knowledge and to develop their own special field of work
• have skills in oral presentation and report writing, including the ability to prepare position papers for various government departments
• have developed the ability to critically appraise the literature pertinent to best practice in their specific field of interest in biotechnology
• recognise that biotechnology in its many aspects can be a service to the community and have the capacity to communicate this knowledge to the general public or specific groups or industry.

Applicants must have a bachelors degree from an Australian university, or have a bachelors degree which is recognised in Australia, or equivalent qualifications.

Course structure

• GBL4001 Introduction to biotechnology
• GBL4002 Biotechnology and patents
• GBL4003 Ethics and biotechnology
• GBL4004 Biotechnology and conservation
• GBL4005 Biotechnology and plant genetics
• GBL4006 Biotechnology and animal genetics
• GBL4007 Biotechnology, human reproduction and contraception
• GBL4008 Biotechnology and the law

Assessment

Assessment will be by a mixture of written assignments, preparation and submission of journals, written theory exams and, in some units, online participation.

Inquiries

Inquiries should be directed to Ms V McAuliffe, c/- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PO Box 13c, Monash University, Victoria 3800 on telephone (03) 9905 2719.

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