- Duration
- Full-time: 18 months
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2026 Semester One – 2 March
- Available locations
- City
- Points
- 180
- Programme type
- Postgraduate
- Taught options available
Programme overview
With our MBiotech you can explore possibilities, gain insight, and address emerging global challenges for human and environmental health and wellbeing.
You’ll have the option to focus your study on a specific area like genomics, proteomics, microbial biotechnology or bioinformatics or take a mix of courses that cover all these topics. You’ll also develop skills that equip you for employment in the biotechnology sector or further study.
Enter the MBiotech with a recognised undergraduate degree in biotechnology or biological sciences and prior exposure to molecular biosciences, biochemistry, microbiology and genetics.
Find out what our campus locations and facilities have to offer in these videos.
Programme structure
The MBiotech is an 18-month, 180-point programme with the option of starting in Semester One or Semester Two, and completed over three semesters full-time, with part-time options available.
The programme will be delivered through lectures, seminars, laboratories, and research supervision. Laboratory work may form a coursework component of some courses and may also form a part of the 60-point dissertation.
The first two semesters will comprise 120 points of core and elective courses. In the second semester students will choose a research project and enrol in BIOSCI 761 Research Practice - Level 9 and seminar.
All students will enrol in a course offering practical experience of research methodologies and data analysis either in cell-based (BIOSCI 704) or genome-based (BIOSCI 701) technologies.
A feature of the MBiotech programme will be the opportunity to enrol in 45 points of subject-specific courses offering disciplinary specialisation tailored to student interest and matching areas of recognised employer demand, for example in plant biotechnology.
Specialisations available:
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
- Molecular Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Protein Engineering
Alternatively, students will be able to choose any combination of elective courses totalling 30 points from within the schedule of approved courses (see Schedule).
In the final semester, students will undertake a 60 point research project supervised by an academic staff member’
Students who complete 120 points of coursework within the MBiotech with a GPA of 5.0 or above and who seek a longer form research project will have the ability to transfer to the MSc and complete a 120-point research thesis. Students who complete 120 points of coursework but fail to maintain a GPA of 4.0 within the programme will be unable to proceed to the research project and may graduate with a PGDipSci in Biotechnology.
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
Where could this programme take you?
Students will be valued by employers across a wide range of private and public sector organisations for their understanding of how biology underpins innovation and the development of new technologies for markets, environments and populations. Key employment destinations for Biotechnology graduates include the medical, diagnostic and healthcare industries; primary industry, such as the agriculture, food and dairy sectors; regulatory and consultancy services; Crown Research Institutes and government agencies; health and environmental protection; and the tertiary education sector.
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Key Information for Students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Experience the University
Meet the programme director
Learn more about the new MBiotech programme from Dr John Taylor, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences.
Do you need help?
Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?
Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513