Molecular biology

Molecular biology is a fundamental science that imparts an understanding of the biology of organisms at a molecular level. It specifically focuses on the unique features of DNA, RNA and proteins and the interactions that occur between them. Importantly, the field of molecular biology is a fundamental enabling science for most fields of biology and has had a major impact upon virtually all other scientific disciplines, such as biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, anatomy and developmental biology, physiology, immunology and biotechnology.

Molecular biology at Monash University helps to tie together several different discipline areas within the Biological Sciences. An understanding of the molecular underpinnings of life serve to amplify the lessons that may be learned in other disciplines such as biochemistry, microbiology and genetics. Our teaching staff are active researchers and educators who apply molecular biology theory and techniques to their current research projects. Together this interdisciplinary team will lead you through molecular biology theory and practical training from the basics to the more advanced. This training will integrate with other science units that are undertaken as part of your major program of study.

Practical classes in molecular biology are designed to provide laboratory skills in genetic manipulation and expression and modern techniques of recombinant DNA technology.

Molecular biology is a fundamental science, which underpins a number of discipline areas. Core theory and skills in this area will open up opportunities to a range of career options in the field of biomedical and biological sciences, and biotechnology. Graduates with a training in molecular biology find employment in research and academia, teaching, industry, and government agencies.

Availability

Molecular biology is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a minor. The molecular biology minor is not available in the double degree course Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this minor will be able to:

• demonstrate a broad theoretical understanding of the molecules which make up the blueprint of life and the expression and regulation of genes
• demonstrate advanced practical and technical skills in core molecular biology techniques, recombinant DNA technology, genomic and bioinformatic analysis.