Master of Engineering (Biomolecular)

Biomolecular Engineering is concerned with developing and analysing process systems, which are strongly dependent upon chemistry and involve physical changes.

The Master of Engineering (Biomolecular) program is designed to provide students with a formal qualification in engineering at the masters level. Biomolecular engineers work at the molecular level to explore the development of large-scale processes using microbial, plant or animal cells. Students develop their expertise in this discipline under the guidance of staff known internationally for their research in areas such as dairy manufacturing innovation, production of biofuel and nanotechnology. Throughout the course, students benefit from interaction with industry representatives and work on a design and a research project, which may take the form of an industrial placement, in the final year.

Career Outcomes

Career opportunities exist in bioprocessing industries including food, beverage and pharmaceutical production, the petrochemical, minerals and energy industries and in new fields made possible by the advances of biotechnology. The program also prepares graduates for a career in environmental chemical engineering, including biological waste treatment and bioremediation. Biomolecular engineering graduates can find employment with companies such as: CSL Limited, GlaxoSmithKline, National Foods, Tatura Milk, Nestle, Kraft and Fosters Group.

Dual accreditation with Engineers Australia (provisional) and EUR-ACE® allows graduates of the Master of Engineering, or the Master of Spatial Information Science, to practice as professional engineers virtually anywhere in the world. For more information see our accreditation page.

Mode

Coursework

Duration

2–3 years full-time
Available part-time.

Entry

Semester 1, Semester 2

Fees

Local CSP: $7756 per annum
International: $30,848 per annum

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Further Fees Information

Detailed information about fees and funding support including local and international fee brochures, scholarships, loans and grants, youth allowance, austudy and abstudy, currency converters, the cost of living in Melbourne and financial aid, is available at:

Domestic Students

International Students

 

Entry Requirements

Prior Qualification	Entry Requirements
University of Melbourne Engineering Pathways	One of the following undergraduate degrees with a Chemical Systems major or sequence: Commerce Science An average of 65% in the final two years.
Undergraduate Engineering Degree	An undergraduate degree including: the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year mathematics, specifically Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra (or equivalent), and the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year chemistry (or equivalent). An average of 65% in the final two years. Note: Students with a Bachelor of Engineering who seek to specialise in the same field of engineering in which they majored, are likely to receive 100 points (one year) of credit, possibly more. Exact credit can only be determined on application. Undergraduate Degree with Limited or No Engineering Study (Including University of Melbourne Non-pathway Degrees) An undergraduate degree including: the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year mathematics, specifically Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra (or equivalent), and the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year chemistry (or equivalent). An average of 65% in the final two years.
Undergraduate Degree with Limited or No Engineering Study (Including University of Melbourne Non-pathway Degrees)	An undergraduate degree including: the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year mathematics, specifically Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra (or equivalent), and the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year biology or chemistry (or equivalent). An average of 65% in the final two years.

English Language Requirements

All students studying at the University of Melbourne must satisfy the University’s english language entry requirements. For graduate entry, Engineering offers an alternative.

Engineering English Language Entry Requirements

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Credit for Prior Studies

The Master of Engineering is a 300 point or 3 year program. The first 100 points (1 year) is made up of foundation study tailored to students from non-engineering backgrounds. Many students who enter the program will have some prior study in engineering, which will allow them to receive credit for up to the first year of the program, reducing the program to 2 years.

Students who have studied at an institution other than the University of Melbourne must supply engineering syllabus item details from their previous institution of study, along with an original or certified copy of their academic transcript, to enable credit to be assessed at the time of application.

Application for Advanced Standing Form [PDF 190KB]

Course Structure

These course plans are examples only and provided as an indicative guide. They will vary according to a student’s undergraduate degree and the time of commencement.

Master of Engineering (Biomolecular) Sample Course Plan

Preliminary year: required only for students entering from non-Engineering backgrounds.
Graduates from corresponding University of Melbourne New Generation degree pathways enter at second year.

Year 1 (Prelim)	Sem 1	Engineering Communication	Chemical Process Analysis 1	Engineering Mathematics	Reactions and Synthesis
	Sem 2	Chemical Process Analysis 2	Process Dynamics and Control	Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics	Transport Processes
Usual entry point for applicants with 100 points advanced standing.
Year 2	Sem 1	Reactor Engineering	Heat and Mass Transport Processes	Biology for Engineers	Chemical Engineering Management
	Sem 2	Metabolic Engineering	Process Engineering Case Studies	Project Elective
Year 3	Sem 1	Fermentation Processes	Particle Mechanics and Processing	Process Equipment Design	Process Engineering
	Sem 2	Biomolecular Engineering Design Project		Chemical Engineering Elective

Biomolecular Engineering electives are chosen from a prescribed list.

For further information on course structures, subjects and electives:

University Handbook listing

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Further Information

If you have a question which isn’t answered by the links below, please use the ‘Enquire Now’ form.

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