MSc Biotechnology with Business Management

  Institution: UCSI University

This coursework-based M.Sc. Biotechnology with Business Management aims to equip postgraduate learners with the knowledge and expertise in both practical and theoretical aspects of the specialised areas of Biotechnology, and the relevant skills for independent research. Learners will conceptualise current economics, ethical, legal and social issues related to biotechnology and will be able to generate, develop and communicate creative solutions scientifically.

Furthermore, this programme also seeks to develop our learners’ managerial and leadership skills, enabling them to apply their scientific knowledge successfully. This will train them to become bioentrepreneurs / technopreneurs of the next generation, who possess the ability to translate research outcomes into future business opportunities. This multidisciplinary programme caters more to the industry’s needs as compared to the traditional mono-disciplinary model as it provides learners with a broader range of course choices to meet their individual and specific career goals.

Teaching and Learning Features

his programme aims at providing students an interesting and stimulating learning experience via various teaching-learning techniques and assessment strategies. Besides theoretical knowledge, it is important for Master students to demonstrate an ability to operate and maintain scientific equipment, to have good practical skills to conduct basic guided research and laboratory work and also analyze, synthesize and integrate knowledge and information. Hence, students must carry out extensive relevant laboratory practicals in the courses as well as undertake an intensive research project. For the research project, students are required to design and conduct research/survey in the area of Biotechnology and propose a way to bring the final product into the market. Thus, students need to write a business proposal at the end of the project, which includes budgeting, expenditure estimations, capital investments, profits and losses, and sales and market demands. This would enable students to understand their research objectives, the timeline and time management of their studies, and major project milestones. Successful completion of the research project would be the key factor in accomplishing this degree.

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Depending on their courses, some students would have a formal summative assessment. But most of them would be assessed continuously throughout the course. Continuous assessment in the form of assignments require students to be self-directed to learn through oral presentations, written reports, case studies, critical analysis on published scientific data, mini projects (individual or team), seminars and class discussions. Through various learning instructional media and technologies, students learn to identify to take advantage of the unique opportunities and challenges inherent in the assignments to broaden their knowledge and to inculcate life-long learning. Critical analysis of case studies and data interpretation exercises are amongst the most applicable techniques to help students envision real-world Biotechnology challenges to apply theories learnt throughout their studies. In addition, students would also acquire relevant communication, leadership and team-work skills to pursue their career.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Approved undergraduate degree with honours in the areas of Biotechnology / Biology / Chemistry / Biochemistry / Microbiology/Genetics etc, with a minimum of 60% or Classification of 2nd Lower.
• Applicants without sufficient academic qualifications but who possess evidence of adequate work experience may also be considered for admission.
• Certain courses required students to have sufficient background in the basic concepts, if not, the student will need to take up the basic courses at the undergraduate levels before the students are allowed to take the courses at the Master level.

English Language Requirements

The medium of instruction of this programme is English. Thus, the student must posses one of the following qualification:

• TOFEL: a minimum score of 550
• IELTS: a minimum score of 6.0
• Undergraduate degree with English as its medium of instruction

Candidates, who fail to fulfill any of the above, may be required to take an English Proficiency subject at the University to attain the required language proficiency.

Career Opportunities

This programme promotes and nurtures lifelong scholarship and deep learning for career and personal advancements, thus, enhancing employability and other inter-alia skills essential to handle the daily challenges in the ever-growing realms of Biotechnology. Overall, postgraduates can embark into their career-choices in biotechnology that is related to medicine, health, food and beverage, wine, agriculture, chemical and environmental industries or be an entrepreneur upon completion of this programme.

Course Duration

Minimum 1.5 Years of Full Time study
Minimum 2 Years of Part Time study

Subjects Offered

Semester 1

• Research Methodology for Scientists
• Academic Communication
• Molecular Cell Biology & Genetics *
• MBA Elective: Choose One
  • Financial Accounting & Analysis
  • Marketing Management
  • Information Technology for Managers
  • Business Policy & Strategic Management

Semester 2

• Current Topics in Biotechnology
• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology *
• Master Research Project Planning & Proposal Presentation
• MBA Elective: Choose One
  • Financial Accounting & Analysis
  • Marketing Management
  • Information Technology for Managers
  • Business Policy & Strategic Management
  • Financial Management
  • Human Resource Management

Semester 3

• Research Project for Biotechnology with Business Management *

Semester 4

• Science Elective: Choose One
  • Experimental Biotechnology – Method & Instrumental Design & Analysis *
  • Trends in Medical Biotechnology *
  • Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology *
  • Applied Bioprocessing *
  • Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
  • Perspective of Commercial Biotechnology
• MBA Elective: Choose Two
  • Financial Accounting & Analysis
  • Marketing Management
  • International Business & Management
  • Business Policy & Strategic Management
  • Financial Management & Policy
  • Information Technology for Managers
  • Blue Ocean Strategy
  • Human Resource Management

* Science lab classes

Source: UCSI University