Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biotechnology

Course Overview

Biotechnology is the application of advances in biological sciences, particularly genetics and its applications. Biotechnology has improved food quality, quantity, and processing; it is also used to produce chemicals by manipulating simple cells and proteins. Biotechnology has far-reaching implications in health and medicine. Scientists have used biotechnology to develop new medicines such as interferon for cancer patients, synthetic human growth hormone, and synthetic insulin, among others.

The UTAR Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biotechnology programme aims to produce graduates with a high level of competency in the field of biotechnology in order to meet market demand and national expectations. Students will gain specialised skills in biotechnology areas such as proteomics, genomics, enzyme and protein biotechnology, protein engineering, immunology, fermentation technology, plant biotechnology, biosensor, phytomedicine and phytochemistry, cell and issue culture, and bioinformatics through their final year project.

Curriculum

Year 1

• Basic Chemistry 
• Basic Laboratory Skills for Bioscience 
• Biodiversity and Concepts of Ecology 
• Cell Biology 
• Co-Curriculum 
• Digital Technologies and Applications​
• Elective I 
• Elective II 
• English for Science 
• Fundamental Organic Chemistry 
• Microbiology 
• MPU1* 
• MPUI** 
• Principles of Biotechnology 
• Sun Zi's Art of War and Business Strategies 

Year 2

• Animal Tissue Culture 
• Biochemistry 
• Elective III 
• Enzymology 
• Genetics 
• Industrial Training 
• Molecular Biology 
• National Language/Other Language 
• Physiology 
• Plant Tissue Culture 
• Research Seminar in Biotechnology 
• Statistical Analysis for Bioscience​
   

Year 3

• Bioanalytical Techniques 
• Elective IV 
• Elective V 
• Elective VI 
• Elective VII 
• Fermentation Technology 
• Genomics and Bioinformatics 
• Molecular Cloning and Gene Expression 
• Project

Elective I - Choose 1 course(s)

• Experiential Research Skills (ERS)
• Ethics and Contemporary Social Issues 
• Organisational Behaviour 
•  

Elective II - Choose 1 course(s)

• Food Biochemistry and Toxicology​
• Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals
•  

Elective III - Choose 1 course(s)

• Culture and Communication 
• Introduction to Political Science 

Elective IV - Choose 1 course(s)

• Aquaculture Principles, Practices and Management 
• Food Microbiology 
• Medical Microbiology and Parasitology 
• Principles and Application of Phytochemistry 
•  

Elective V - Choose 1 course(s)

• Entrepreneurship 
• Interpersonal Communication 
• Introduction to Sociology 
•  

• Elective VI - Choose 1 course(s)

  • Agricultural Biotechnology 
  • Environmental Microbiology 
  • Food Biotechnology 
  • Human Nutrition 

National Language/Other Language - Choose 1 course
 

• Bahasa Kebangsaan (A) - For Malaysian only, without SPM-BM credit
• Communication Tamil For Health Sciences
• Introduction to French
• Introduction to German Language
   
• Introduction to Japanese
   
• Introduction to Korean
   
• Introduction to Tamil Language
   
• Introduction to Thai Language

• MPU1* - Choose 1 course(s)

  • Falsafah dan Isu Semasa - For Local Students 
  • Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 2 - For International Students 
  •  

  MPU1** - Choose 1 course(s)

  • Philosophy and Current Issues - For International Students 
  • Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban  - For Local Students 

   

•  

Co-curriculum - Choose 1 course

• Art, Craft, and Design
• Arts and Cultural Performance
• Business Plan Writing & Preparation
   
• Community Project
   
• Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking and Problem Solving
   
• Language, Culture and Social Study Aboard
• Leadership and Teambuilding
   
• Managing Personal Finance
   
• Management of Martial Arts Activity
   
• Management of Sports Activity
• Music Performance
   
• Oral Communication
   
• Social Entrepreneurship Project
   
• Study Soft Skills and/or Life Skills Abroad
   
• Team Work and Collaborative Project
   
• Work Ethics and EQ

Entry Requirements

• UTAR Foundation Programme
• STPM: Grade C/C+ in 2 relevant subjects depending on the programs (except M.B.B.S. and Quantity Surveying)
• A-Level: Grade D in 2 or 3 relevant subjects
• UEC: Grade B in 5 relevant subjects
• SAM: ATAR 70 and Grade B in at least 2 relevant subjects
• CPU: An average of 70% in 6 relevant subjects (depending on programs)
• Matriculation Certificate, Ministry of Education
• Foundation/Diploma in the relevant fields
• Other recognized equivalent qualifications

Career Prospects

• Biotechnologist
• Field Application Specialist 
• Laboratory Executive/Manager
• Pharmaceutical Scientist
• Technical Product Specialist

Study Abroad Pathway

No