Postgraduate study
- Application for Admission
- Postgraduate Coordinators
- Structured Program
- Support for Postgraduates in the School
The School of Molecular & Biomedical Science at the University of Adelaide brings together the fundamental disciplines of biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology & immunology. The School has many active researchers in these intensive fields of research, the majority of which are Honours and PhD students. The School offers postgraduate research studies towards the Degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.
Study for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) in the School of Molecular & Biomedical Science at the University of Adelaide involves a supervised program of original research culminating in the submission of a thesis incorporating the results of that research program.
Click here to download a brochure with information about our postgraduate program.
More information on the research activities of each group in our School and our affiliates can be found within our online list of of Honours projects under each of our disciplines listed below:
Application for Admission
Application for admission to a postgraduate program is a two-stage process:
Stage 1
Browse our research pages and list of available projects and then contact the staff member(s) working in research areas of interest to you. Let these staff know you are interested in undertaking postgraduate study with them. They can provide detailed information about projects on offer and other important information. A rapid overview of the wide range of research conducted in the School can be obtained from University's postgraduate programs web page.
Stage 2
Apply to the University for admission to the postgraduate program. Procedures differ for Australian & New Zealand students and international students. The application form is used to apply for both admission and scholarship. A student applies for admission and scholarship support (if needed) by submitting the forms to the Adelaide Graduate Centre (Australian & New Zealand students) or the International Office (international students) at the University of Adelaide. If applying for a scholarship, applications for admission and scholarship should be submitted to the University by 31 August (international students) and 31 October (Australian & New Zealand students) of the year preceding the proposed year of commencement. Applications will be considered outside of this time-frame, but you should consult the relevant postgraduate coordinator for advice.
If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident:
Visit the Adelaide Graduate Centre website which provides important information about applying to the University to enrol in Postgraduate programs, and has links to download the application forms.
If you are an International student:
Please visit the Adelaide University International Programs Website. This resource provides information about Adelaide, the University, Application procedures and forms, visa procedures, Scholarships available to International Students, University Contacts and Overseas representatives, as well as other information.
Structured Program
Each student commencing a PhD must complete a Structured Program (SP) of activities. The Structured Program comprises a Core Component (to be completed within a maximum of six months or part time equivalent) and a Development Component comprising skills training and professional development as negotiated with (or deemed advisable by) the supervisor or Postgraduate Coordinator. The Development Component may extend for the duration of candidature. Satisfactory completion of the Core Component is a prerequisite for re-enrolment and for confirmation of candidature.
General information about the Structured Program in the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science is given below. Each discipline has developed a Structured Program that meets their unique requirements, and for details of the current Structured Program requirements for each discipline, go here. More information about the Structured Program and the forms can be obtained from the university website as a printable document.
The Core Component
The Core Component has been designed to introduce new research students to the School and help students develop effective research projects. The core components of the Structured Program include:
o participation in the University and School induction sessions for postgraduates;
o completion of the Minimum Discipline Resources Proforma;
o regular attendance at the School and Discipline Seminar Program;
o identification of a research project with their supervisor(s);
o satisfactory completion of a written research proposal for their project;
o a seminar presentation
For details of requirements for each discipline, see here. International students are required to complete appropriate components of the Integrated Bridging Program (IBP) as part of the Core component of the Structured Program.
The Development Component
The Development Component is designed to identify and address any weaknesses in a candidate's academic background that might otherwise hamper the successful completion of their research project and submission of their thesis. This is particularly intended to assist candidates who have not completed an Honours degree, or whose primary degree lacks elements needed for successful completion of the proposed research program. The supervisor and postgraduate coordinator will decide at the time of enrolment if a student is required to complete the development component. If so, in consultation with the student, they will design a program that will provide the student with the opportunity to obtain an appropriate background for the project. The School teaches relevant undergraduate Science and Honours courses and students may be required to enrol in, or otherwise formally audit, one or more of these courses.
Support for Postgraduates in the School
The school offers a friendly and welcoming environment for postgraduate students. More than 130 postgraduate students are currently enrolled in our research higher degree programs, and many of our graduates have gone on to successful careers in science and other fields. Postgraduate student representatives ensure that the views of postgraduate students are considered in the development of School policies. Our School has a range of policies and procedures in place to assist postgraduate students. These include: workshops to develop career skills; financial assistance to laboratories to support the student's research; travel support for students to present their work at conferences; and a scholarship providing two months support after submission of the thesis to write up papers for publication (the standard scholarships cease upon submission of the thesis). For more details on these and other initiatives, see information for current postgraduate students.
