Approval Code: (A 4410; 12/08)

Biotechnology is the fastest growing science-based industry in the world. It is widely regarded now as the new engine of growth for the global economy. Biotechnology encompasses areas ranging from healthcare, agricultural, industrial, and environmental to forensics. It involves applications of technologies achieved in molecular biology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics and biochemistry in the development of new vaccines and novel drugs for cancer and life-threatening diseases like AIDS, medical diagnostic kits, and agricultural products with improved nutritional values but reduced dependence on chemical pesticides. It also entails technological applications involving high quality industrial products, cleaner biochemical processes with less waste, efficient method for cleaning of hazardous wastes and DNA fingerprinting techniques to aid criminal investigation.

The 3-year programme is designed by leading members of the biotechnology field to bridge the gap between the industry and academia. The subjects offered are aimed at providing the students with a solid knowledge foundation of the different fields of biotechnology for their future career. These subjects include Pharmacology, Physiological Sciences, Metabolic Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Human Molecular Genetics, Animal and Plant Cell Culture, Genetic Engineering, DNA and Forensic Technology, Enzyme Technology, Bioprocess Engineering and Fermentation Technology and Downstream Processing, and Environmental Biotechnology. The School is equipped with state-of-the-art specialized biotechnology laboratories and equipment, as well as highly qualified academic staff with a wide variety of expertise to guide the students.

The main outcome of the course is to produce competent, confident and consummate graduates in the field of Biotechnology, who are internationally employable. Students will achieve various valuable transferable skills such as presentation techniques and communication skills and will be exposed to problem-solving, working in teams and the use of information technology. In addition, students will be aware of and understand the ethical issues and the impact of biotechnology on society. Students are also trained to be the bioentrepreneurs / the technopreneurs in order to be able to translate research outcome into business opportunities.

A distinction (A1 or A2) in SPM / UEC English, MUET Band 5, or a score of 213 (Computer based) / 550 (Written based) in TOEFL, or Band 5.5 in IELTS, or UCSI English Foundation or equivalent. If English Language requirements are not fulfilled, additional English module(s) must be taken at UCSI.

With the rapid growth of the biotechnology industry, and Malaysian Government’s various efforts in promoting biotechnology including the setting up of the BioValley, there should be plenty of opportunities for good careers for graduates in biotechnology.

The technical expertise in biotechnology is applicable globally. A biotechnology graduate can readily adapt their expertise to careers as management or quality control personnel in production of pharmaceutical and other industrial products, in research institutions as R&D scientists, in agriculture, in clinical laboratories, bioinformatics and as forensic scientists. There are also other career opportunities in Intellectual Property (IP) and patent law, in sale and supporting services of the biotechnology industry, in ecology and environmental pollution control and waste management, as venture capitalists and as biotechnology technopreneurs.