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Overview
As one of the first Biotechnology education providers in the Malaysian private higher education sector, we have numerous strategic tie-ups with some of the world's biggest companies in science. This opens doors for students and staff through technology transfers, internship opportunities, numerous site visits..., industry talks on campus, and, of course, job opportunities. Versatility is a hallmark of the programme. As a student of this programme, you will be addressing critical issues in biotechnology through the study of genetic engineering, pharmacology, fermentation technology, among others. You will complement your abiding interests in science with the market sense to translate academic mastery into business opportunities. And with a firm footing in both fields, doors will open wherever you go.
* This programme received a 100% graduate employability score in the Ministry of Higher Education’s Graduate Employability 2020. (Source: ge.mohe.gov.my/)
About the Programme
Assessments
Coursework percentage: 60%, written examination percentage: 40%
Entry Requirements
UEC – Credit (A1 – B6)
O-Level – min. Credit (A1 – C6)
WACE – min. Credit (A1 – C6)
STPM – min. Principal – ‘C’ grade (GPA 2.00)
A-Level – min. Principal – ‘E’ grade (GPA 2.00)
SAM/CPU – min. Pass – 50%
Academic Requirements
UCSI Foundation in Science or equivalent in Malaysia
Minimum CGPA 2.00 and Possess SPM with 3 credits inclusive of Mathematics and one science subject
National matriculation
Minimum CGPA 2.00 and Possess SPM with 3 credits inclusive of Mathematics and one science subject
STPM
Minimum GPA 2.00 in any two (2) subjects and Possess SPM with 3 credits inclusive of Mathematics and one science subject
UEC
Minimum Grade B in five (5) subjects, inclusive of:
- Mathematics
- One Science subject
OR Minimum Grade B in 5 subjects and Possess SPM with 3 credits inclusive of Mathematics and one science subject
A-levels
Minimum Grade D in any two (2) subjects and Possess SPM with 3 credits inclusive of Mathematics and one science subject
Australian High/Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) - SAM/AUSMAT/ SACE/ TEE/ NTCE/WACE
Minimum ATAR 60% or minimum 60% average in five (5) subjects inclusive of:
- Mathematics
- One Science subject
Canadian Grade 12 – CPU/CIMP
Minimum average of 60% in six (6) subjects, inclusive of:
- Mathematics
- One Science subject
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Minimum score of 26/42 from six (6) subjects, inclusive of:
- Mathematics
- One Science subject
Diploma/Advanced Diploma in related field
Minimum CGPA 2.00
Other qualifications recognized by the Malaysian government
Admission: Case by case basis
Note / Legend:
Discretion is given to the Head of School to deal with applicants who have results borderline to the Academic Requirements.
SPM – Credit (A+ – C)UEC – Credit (A1 – B6)
O-Level – min. Credit (A1 – C6)
WACE – min. Credit (A1 – C6)
STPM – min. Principal – ‘C’ grade (GPA 2.00)
A-Level – min. Principal – ‘E’ grade (GPA 2.00)
SAM/CPU – min. Pass – 50%
English Language Requirements
For Local Students
SPM English language
B+CEFR
Low B1English language 1119/O-Level English/IGCSE
CUEC English Language
A2MUET
Band 3- In the event that the English language requirements are not met, applicants will be required to take the Basic English and English Foundation for in-sessional academic enhancement concurrently with the programme.
For International Students
IELTS
Score of 5.0Cambridge English Qualifications and Tests
154TOEFL
42Pearson Test of English
47MUET
Band 3CEFR
Low B1- International applicants who do not meet the respective academic programme’s English Language Requirement will need to improve their proficiency by enrolling into the English for Tertiary Education programme (R/KJP/00920-00929) which helps them prepare for attaining a required band score. Placement into the various levels of the English for Tertiary Education programme depends on the English Language qualification students have at the point of admission and/or the outcome of the English Placement Test. Exemptions from the University English Language requirements can be granted if the following corresponding requirements are fulfilled: i. Internal transfer applicants who have already fulfilled the University English Language requirements. ii. Applicants who have an academic qualification from a higher learning institution which uses the English Language as a medium of instruction. The applicants who have met the respective academic programme’s English Language Requirements may be advised by the Faculty to improve their proficiency by undertaking the additional English proficiency courses.
Courses Offered
Year 1
- University Life (MPU-U2)
- Chemistry 1
- Biology
- Human Physiology
- Chemistry 2
- Microbiology
- Structural Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Calculus and Analytical Geometry for Applied Sciences
- Extra-curricular Learning Experience 1 (MPU-U4)
- Co-Operative Placement 1
Year 2
- Religions in Malaysia (MPU-U3) / Business Law – Malaysian Perspective (MPU-U3)
- Biochemistry and Metabolism
- Microbes and Immunology
- Statistics and Its Applications
- Entrepreneurship for Applied Sciences
- Research Methodology, Safety & Ethics
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Recombinant Technology
- Enzyme Technology
- Extra-curricular Learning Experience 2 (MPU-U4)
- Co-Operative Placement 2
Year 3
- Human Molecular Genetics
- Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainability
- Cell and Tissue Culture
- Fermentation Technology and Downstream Processing
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Extra-curricular Learning Experience 3 (MPU-U4)
- Co-Operative Placement 3
- Biotechnology Research Project 1
- Biotechnology Research Project 2
- Biotechnology Research Project 3
Elective (Choose one)
- Food Microbiology
- Fundamentals of Marketing
- Introduction to Public Speaking
General Courses (MPU) are compulsory for all students.
U1
For Malaysian students:
- Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisations (Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban)
- Philosophy and Contemporary Issues (Falsafah dan Isu Semasa)
For foreign students:
- Philosophy and Contemporary Issues
- Communication in Bahasa Melayu 3 (Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 3)
Career Opportunities
Biotechnology graduate can readily apply his/her knowledge and expertise in the following areas:
- Research and Development (R&D) in research institutes; universities; agricultural, clinical and forensic laboratories
- Quality control and quality assurance of pharmaceutical, health care and other industrial products
- Clinical research co-ordination in hospitals and pharmaceutical firms
- Bioinformatics Computational Analysis
- Other career opportunities in
- Management
- Intellectual Property (IP) and Patent Law
- Sales and support services for the biotechnology industry, ecology, waste management and environmental pollution control
- Venture capitalist business
- Biotechnology technopreneurships
FAQ
Biomedical science is the study of basic sciences related to medicine including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology, haematology, immunology, histopathology and cytopathology. Biomedical Science helps students to gain an understanding of the basic sciences that are related to medicine and to develop skills in different biomedical areas. Prepare students to work effectively in healthcare services such as diagnostics, therapeutics, determining the nature of diseases, quality control, prevention, control and treatment of diseases.
Biotechnology is the application of biological knowledge to the development of products that can improve various aspects of life such as health, food supply, environment and general well-being. Examples of biotechnology application in the field of medicine include diagnosis of genetic diseases, and production of medicinal pharmaceutical preparations such as vaccines. In additional, biotechnology can also be broadly applied in non-medical areas such as production of transgenic crops in the agriculture sector, and DNA fingerprinting for criminal investigation.
The Ninth Malaysian Plan states the Government's intention to make Malaysia a biotechnology hub. In its quest to be a major biotech player in the region, the government launched the National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) in April 2005. This saw the creation of the Malaysia Biotech Corporation (MBC), a dedicated government agency to develop the industry.
Biotechnology is the application of biological knowledge to the development of products that can improve various aspects of life such as health, food supply, environment and general well-being. Examples of biotechnology application in the field of medicine include diagnosis of genetic diseases, and production of medicinal pharmaceutical preparations such as vaccines. In additional, biotechnology can also be broadly applied in non-medical areas such as production of transgenic crops in the agriculture sector, and DNA fingerprinting for criminal investigation.
The Ninth Malaysian Plan states the Government's intention to make Malaysia a biotechnology hub. In its quest to be a major biotech player in the region, the government launched the National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) in April 2005. This saw the creation of the Malaysia Biotech Corporation (MBC), a dedicated government agency to develop the industry.
Biotechnology is not a field that involves merely research on the bench, but runs the whole gamut from thoughts seeded in research, to realisation in development, feasibility in commercialisation studies and trials, and finally culminating in the production of branded products into the marketplace. Hence. holding a degree in Biotechnology does not mean that you will be just a researcher in a laboratory. In addition, the Biotechnology technical knowledge that students learned from this degree is applicable globally in various fields. A biotechnology graduate can be a research and development (R&D) officer in research institute, universities, agricultural, clinical and forensic laboratories; quality control and quality assurance officer of pharmaceutical, health care and other industrial products; clinical research coordinator in hospitals and pharmaceutical firm; and bioinformatics computational analyst. They can also be a sales and marketing executive in the field related to biotechnology or the pharmaceutical industry, manager in the manufacturing industry, patent agents specialised in Intellectual Property (IP) and patent law, venture capitalists as well as biotechnology technopreneurs.
The National Biotechnology Policy envisions that biotechnology will be a new economic engine for Malaysia, enhancing the nation’s prosperity and well-being.
The Policy is divided into three main phases; Phase I (2005-2010), Phase II (2010-2015), and Phase III (2016-2020). Phase I will focus on capacity building and the establishment of the Malaysian Biotech Corporation (MBC), the establishment of advisory and implementation councils, the education and training of knowledge workers, and the development of a legal and intellectual property (IP) framework. Phase I also focuses on the creation of jobs in the areas of agricultural biotechnology, healthcare biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and bioinformatics. Phase II will emphasise on the business aspects, such as developing expertise in drug discovery and the development based on natural resources, new product development, and technology acquisition and licensing. Phase III will be based on the results achieved in the first two phases and bringing local biotech companies to international status.
Reference: www.bio.org
The Policy is divided into three main phases; Phase I (2005-2010), Phase II (2010-2015), and Phase III (2016-2020). Phase I will focus on capacity building and the establishment of the Malaysian Biotech Corporation (MBC), the establishment of advisory and implementation councils, the education and training of knowledge workers, and the development of a legal and intellectual property (IP) framework. Phase I also focuses on the creation of jobs in the areas of agricultural biotechnology, healthcare biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and bioinformatics. Phase II will emphasise on the business aspects, such as developing expertise in drug discovery and the development based on natural resources, new product development, and technology acquisition and licensing. Phase III will be based on the results achieved in the first two phases and bringing local biotech companies to international status.
Reference: www.bio.org
Biotechnology programme is a multi-disciplinary science based programme which cannot be run without good laboratory facilities. The specially designed and purpose-built laboratories at UCSI university include Basic Chemistry and Biology laboratory, Microbiology laboratory, Physiology and Pharmacology laboratory, Molecular Biology laboratory, Enzyme Technology laboratory, Fermentation and scale-up laboratory, and Animal and Plant Cell Culture Laboratory. All these laboratories were built to ensure that our students were given the best facilities and real hands-on practical experience in the different fields of Biotechnology which is important for their future careers. The laboratories are equipped with high-value equipments such as Bioreactor, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometry and such. All our students will have to carry out a final Research Project at the end of their third academic year in these laboratories under the supervision of our highly qualified academic staff. Each student will gain invaluable experience from their final project as they are given a chance to plan, exhibit and experience real hands-on laboratory practical work.
To differentiate ourselves from other institutions of higher learning offering the same degree programme, our students are well-equipped for the workforce before graduation. Our Biotechnology programme is a homegrown B.Sc. degree and is tailored to incorporate Co-Op training in year 1, 2 and 3 of study. The students have the opportunity of working for two months at the end of each of the three academic years on their Co-Operative Placements in a company in the related industries. This means they would have more than six months of real world working experience before they graduate. The Co-Op aims to develop not only students’ communications and soft skills, but also help students to relate theory with practical and working experience in the Biotechnology industry in Malaysia. It also aims to provide students with technical and analytical skills to carry out life science research and prepares them to pursue postgraduate studies in a range of disciplines.
UCSI B.Sc. Biotechnology (Hons) degree is recognized by our partner universities in Australia, UK, Canada and USA.
UCSI graduates can pursue a Master in Science degree by research or course work in local universities or overseas. They can choose to enrol in a Masters programme specialising in any of the 5 main fields of Biotechnology, i.e. Industrial Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology and Forensic Molecular Biology or in any other specific disciplines such as Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Pharmaclogy and many others.
The career opportunities for a biotech graduates range across many industry sectors due to the wide applications of biotechnology. These include the food and agricultural sector, medical and bio-pharmaceutical sector, industrial and environmental sector as well as the animal and aquaculture sectors. UCSI University graduates have gone on to pursue careers overseas such as in Singapore where they found employment as researchers, both in private and government research centres.
This programme does not need any professional body recognition but it is accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).
International Degree Pathway (IDP)
| IDP Programme | Pathway | University | Country | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B Biotechnology (Hons) Major: Microbial Biotechnology / Molecular Biotechnology | 1.5+2.5 | The University of Queensland | Australia | AUD 43504 |
| B Science Major: Biomedical Science / Ecology / Genetics / Marine Science / Microbiology / Plant Science / Zoology/Microbiology/ | 1.5+1.5 | The University of Queensland | Australia | AUD 44736 |
| Bachelor of Biomedical Science | 1.5+1.5 | The University of Queensland | Australia | AUD 44432 |
| B Science Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 1.5+1.5 | The University of Queensland | Australia | AUD 44736 |
For enquiry, please contact us at [email protected] or call us at +603 9101 8880 ext 2066.
All information is correct at the time of upload and UCSI University reserves the right to make amendments without prior notice.
