Study Life Sciences in Australia

Life Sciences In Australia

Author Professor Bob Fairclough Victoria University

A wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Life Science and Technology areas is offered by Victoria University, located in Melbourne. Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities in the world, offering fantastic international cuisine, and a wide range of recreational facilities. Some of those available to the general public are swimming pools, sports grounds, major shopping complexes, theatres and cinemas, as well as a number of nightclubs and outdoor venues for evening entertainment. 

The city of Melbourne also hosts a number of big events, including the Melbourne Grand Prix, the world-famous Melbourne Cup horse race, the Comedy Festival, the Melbourne to Tasmania yacht race, international cricket matches and the final of the Australian Rules Football match. The climate in Melbourne is mild, and the people are very hospitable, enjoying a lifestyle that is both relaxed and in touch with world issues. The cost of living in Australia is relatively low compared with many European countries, with typical costs for household items being very reasonable.

Overseas students who have attended the Victoria University of Technology have thoroughly enjoyed their stay, and have also been enthusiastic about living in Australia. We have had students from approximately 25 different countries studying together, sharing many experiences and multicultural meals, and formed lasting friendships both with each other and with Australian students and lecturers. Students enrolled in the Environmental Biology and Marine Biology undergraduate degree have ample opportunity to engage in field work.

The School of Life Sciences & Technology has an alliance with Queenscliff Marine Station, where research is conducted in and around Port Phillip Bay, where under-sea exploration forms part of their studies. Field classes conducted in the Brisbane Ranges near Melbourne provide students with hands-on experience with ecological survey techniques and environmental problems. A recent research student studied a plant fossil deposit at Mt. Hotham, which demonstrated the presence 50 million years ago of subtropical rainforests where today, people enjoy winter snow skiing. St. Albans campus is built on land of significance to our Environmental Biology students, adjacent to areas of native grassland where students are experimenting to eradicate introduced species of flora and return the land to its natural state, saving local endangered flora and fauna. The school offers a number of highly regarded undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Biotechnological, Biomedical, Food and Environmental/Conservation  Sciences, and in the year 2000 we will be introducing an exciting new Bachelor of Science degree in Medical, Forensic and  Analytical Chemistry.

This course has been developed in conjunction with students and employers to provide graduates with skills and attributes seen as important by potential employers in the growth areas of Medical and Forensic Chemistry, underpinned by a strong emphasis on Analytical Chemistry. Postgraduate coursework programs offered by the School of Life Science & Technology are Masters programs in Environmental Management and in Food Science and Technology. The graduate diploma and Masters programs are one-year courses designed to provide professional training in food science and technology for graduates in science and associated disciplines.

Students who have graduated from the Food Science and Technology course have obtained employment with many national and international food manufacturers in Australia, including Cadbury Schweppes, Carlton and United Breweries, Nestle and Kraft foods. The course offers major studies in food microbiology, quality assurance and safety, food sciences and food processing, with the graduate course providing students with training and skills to operate effectively across a wide range of activities in the food industry.

The Masters and Graduate Diploma degrees in Environmental Management have been very well received by both overseas and local students. The course in Environmental Management deals with waste minimization as well as its treatment and disposal. The objective of

the course is to provide a thorough understanding of environmental problems and contemporary techniques in environmental management.

Some of the topics offered include principles of environmental science, air quality management, and occupational and public health and research methodology.

Students who enrol have the opportunity to develop additional skills in research and development, allowing the focussing of practical skills into a specific area of research and development, which can be related to the students' interests. Employment outcomes of the degree include industry, government, consultancy and teaching.

Author Professor Bob Fairclough

Head of School of Life Sciences

Victoria University

Web:

www.vu.edu.au/