Bachelor of Human Sciences and Master of Bioinformatics

Program Overview

This accelerated 4-year combined Bachelor's and Master's program in Human Sciences and Bioinformatics equips students with a deep understanding of human biology, data analysis, and bioinformatics. It explores the biological and cultural factors shaping human variation, while developing analytical skills to process and interpret complex biological data. Graduates gain specialized knowledge and transferable skills for careers in academia, consulting, and the private sector as bioinformaticians, data analysts, and health policy planners.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This combined Bachelor and Master (CBM) is a four-year accelerated program for those with an ATAR of 90 or above. Over the first three years, you'll complete an extended major in Human Sciences and Data Analytics, and some units from the Master of Bioinformatics. You can then choose to exit after three years with an Advanced Bachelor's Degree in Human Sciences, or continue with the Master of Bioinformatics and be awarded a Bachelor of Human Sciences and a Master of Bioinformatics at the end of the four years.

Objective:

The program aims to provide students with the ability to extend their biological and analytical knowledge and skills.

Description:

The program combines the Bachelor of Human Sciences majoring in Human Science and Data Analytics with the Master of Bioinformatics. It explores the biology of 'being human' in today's world, emphasizing how biology and behavior are influenced by genetic, developmental, ecological, and cultural factors. The program also develops data analysis/statistical skills necessary to understand data types, experimental design, and skills needed to make predictions and model complex biological interactions. The Master of Bioinformatics component extends the biological and analytical knowledge and skills obtained from the undergraduate program to the realm of genomics and other 'omic' data generated from different sequencing platforms.

Careers:

There is a growing demand for individuals who have practical experience of bioinformatics, with opportunities in academia, consulting, and the private sector. Career options may include:

• Bioinformatician
• Data analyst
• Health policy planner

Other:

• The Bachelor of Human Sciences is the only specialized degree of its kind offered in Western Australia.
• Students will have developed relevant transferable skills for effective communication and engagement with community, government, and industry groups involved in social and public health policies.
• The Advanced Bachelor Degree is available only as a CBM exit award.
• The program provides practical skills in biological data management and analysis, the application of high-performance computing to advance our understanding of biology, the diverse applications of bioinformatics across the biomedical, agricultural, and environmental fields, and in-demand skills that are applied to biology but also transferable to diverse computational and data analytical fields.
• The program includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry-relevant experience.
• The program is available for full-time and part-time study.
• The program starts in Semester 1.
• The program is accredited by the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).
• The program requires a minimum ATAR of 90.
• The program requires a certain level of Mathematics.
• The program requires English competency.
The minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
• The program is ranked 2nd in Australia and 33rd in the world for Human Biological Sciences (ARWU 2024).
• UWA is ranked 1st in WA, 4th in Australia, and 19th in the world for Anatomy and Physiology (QS 2024).
• The program is supported by the Cell and Molecular Life Facility and the Imaging at Science facility.