This is an interdisciplinary laboratory-based program that covers broad areas of biotechnology including applications in medical sciences, agriculture, environment, and industry. The biotechnology major seeks to produce multi-skilled graduates rather than specialists in one particular aspect of biotechnology. It emphasizes a core understanding of the basic sciences and frames this knowledge around fundamental laboratory skills such as modern instrumentation, experimental design and data analysis, biochemical and microbiological techniques, and recombinant DNA technology.
The biotechnology major offered at Monash University Malaysia trains students in areas of genetics, genomics, plant biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, as well as ethics and regulation, relevant to the rapidly emerging biotechnology industries worldwide. The teaching and learning approaches used include lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field trips. Students are exposed to a variety of scientific communication skills including scientific reports and oral presentations. The practical classes are particularly effective as they use pilot scale equipment to provide the students with hands-on laboratory skills in biotechnology.
The rapid development of the biotechnology industry worldwide has created exciting and rewarding career opportunities in health care, drug discovery, agriculture, environmental sciences, manufacturing and services, as well as in research and development.
Availability
Biotechnology is listed in the Bachelor of Science at Malaysia as a major or extended major.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major or extended major will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the molecular and chemical processes that underlie the wide variety of functions in all forms of life, including micro-organisms, plants and animals
- apply critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative techniques to solve biotechnology problems and demonstrate inquiry and critical thinking, and ethical, social and international understanding in the context of biotechnology
- demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts of biotechnology business, intellectual property rights, and the regulatory framework governing the biotechnology industry.