MASTER IN TROPICAL BIOLOGY | FACULTY OF SCIENCE

» MASTER IN TROPICAL BIOLOGY

MASTER IN TROPICAL BIOLOGY

The program consists of three semesters and is a combination of coursework (34 credits) and research (6 credits). The goals of the program are to produce: (i) professional, highly qualified and competent researchers and administrative/executive officers in the field of sustainable biology, (ii) academicians who are capable of carrying out advanced study and lifelong learning as well as capable of applying analytical skills in solving problems related to tropical biology, and (iii) tropical biology-related industry entrepreneurs with deep knowledge and high technical skills.

The program is designed to produce biologists who are able to integrate fundamental Ecology, Physiology and Genetics in Tropical Biodiversity scientifically and research-oriented. Graduates in the program will be created to be scientifically minded, creative and innovative. They will be provided with the latest technical and analytical skills, along with competencies in information management for advanced learning. Graduates from the program will be able to engage in a variety of careers that require knowledge and skills in tropical biology, both in the public and private sectors.

The teaching and learning methods are blended learning that incorporates conventional and mix learning approaches which inline with the program objectives. These include lectures, tutorials, labs, fieldworks, workshops, case studies, critical reviews, computer-aided teaching, seminars, industry-related talks and a dissertation. Teaching and learning activities are conducted over the weekend or after work hours for the convenience of students who have personal' commitments or working.

Assessments

Student progress is assessed based on continuous assessment (70% -100%) and final assessment (20% - 30%) on based on synopsis and course content. Continuous assessments are conducted through methods such as tests (Test 1 and 2), practicals, project evaluations, case study base on current problems/issues, quizzes, presentations, assignments, writing of learning reflections, forums and discussions, formatively and summatively. While final assessments are carried out through final examinations, summatively. A master dissertation will begin in Semester II and be evaluated at the end of Semester III.

Entry requirements

Local:

A bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.750 or equivalent, as accepted by the UPM Senate; or
A bachelor’s degree degree in the field or related fields with range CGPA of 2.500 to CGPA 2.749 can be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment by Faculty/School/Institute; or
A bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields or equivalent with a range of CGPA 2.000 to CGPA 2.499, can be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment by Faculty/School/Institute.

International

The same entry requirements as above and submits relevant documents for Senate consideration.
English (minimum 550 TOEFL or 6.0 IELTS).

Program Structure

Students must take 28 credit hours of main courses and at least 12 credit hours of elective courses along with a mobility seminar. The program runs for a minimum of THREE (3) semesters and a maximum of SIX (6) semesters.

Main Courses (28 credit hours)

No.	Course Code	Course Name	Credit
1	BGY5101	BIOSYSTEMATICS OF TROPICAL ORGANISMS	4(3+1)
2	BGY5301	TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY	3(3+0)
3	BGY5404	TROPICAL ECOLOGY	3(3+0)
4	BGY5508	ADVANCED GENETICS	3(3+0)
5	BGY5701	APPLIED BIOSTATISTICS	3(3+0)
6	BGY5901	RESEARCH METHODOLOGY	3(3+0)
7	BGY5902	SPECIAL TECHNIQUES IN TROPICAL BIOLOGY SCIENCES	3(3+0)
8	BGY5990	MASTER DISERTATION	6(0+6)

Elective Courses (at least 12 credit hours)

No.	Course Code	Course Name	Credit
1	BGY5102	COMMERCIAL TROPICAL ORGANISM BIOCHEMISTRY	3(2+1)
2	BGY5103	TROPICAL INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY	3(2+1)
3	BGY5104	ADVANCED MYCOLOGY	3(2+1)
4	BGY5107	CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY	3(3+0)
5	BGY5108	TROPICAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION	3(3+0)
6	BGY4304	DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROTOXICOLOGY	3(2+1)
7	BGY5310	ADVANCED ICHTHYOLOGY	3(3+0)
8	BGY5303	ENDOCRINE AND REPRODUCTIVE OF TROPICAL ANIMALS	3(3+0)
9	BGY4406	BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF SEAGRASSES	4(3+1)
10	BGY5401	ADVANCED ECOTOXICOLOGY	3(3+0)
11	BGY5402	MARINE BENTHIC ECOLOGY	3(3+0)
12	BGY5403	ADVANCED LIMNOLOGY	3(2+1)
13	BGY5405	BIOREMEDIATION OF TROPICAL AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM	3(3+0)
14	BGY5406	BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY	3(3+0)
15	BGY5509	CONSERVATION GENETICS	3(3+0)
16	BGY5510	ADVANCED GENETIC POLYMORPHISM	3(3+0)
17	BGY5511	GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES FOR TROPICAL BIOLOGY RESEARCH	3(2+1)

Study Scheme

SEMESTER 1 (Year 1) Sept. – Jan. (14 weeks of lectures + 2 weeks of examinations)
Course Code	Course Name	Credit
BGY5101	BIOSYSTEMATICS OF TROPICAL ORGANISMS	4(3+1)
BGY5301	TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY	3(3+0)
BGY5404	TROPICAL ECOLOGY	3(3+0)
BGY5508	ADVANCED GENETICS	3(3+0)
BGY5701	APPLIED BIOSTATISTICS	3(3+0)
Total credits		16
Percentage of Lecture Learning		94%
Percentage of Practical Learning		6%

SEMESTER 2 (Year 1) Feb. – June (14 weeks of lectures + 2 weeks of examinations)
Course Code	Course Name	Credit
BGY5901	RESEARCH METHODOLOGY	3(3+0)
BGY5902	SPECIAL TECHNIQUES IN TROPICAL BIOLOGY SCIENCES	3(3+0)
	ELECTIVE COURSE	3(2+1)
	ELECTIVE COURSE	3(2+1)
	ELECTIVE COURSE	3(3+0)
BGY5990	MASTER DISERTATION	3(0+3)
Total credits		18
Percentage of Lecture Learning		72%
Percentage of Practical Learning		28%

SEMESTER 3 (Year 1) Short Semester June – Aug. (7 weeks of lectures + 1 week of examinations)*
Course Code	Course Name	Credit
	ELECTIVE COURSE	3(3+0)
BGY5990	MASTER DISERTATION	3(0+3)
Total credits		6
Percentage of Lecture Learning		50%
Percentage of Practical Learning		50%

Program Fees

LOCAL (RM-Ringgit Malaysia)
No. of Semester	Fee/Semester	Fee/Credit	Total
Semester 1	RM 1,206	RM 6,000 (RM 375 x 16 credits)	RM 7,206
Semester 2	RM 950	RM 6,750 (RM 375 x 18 credits)	RM 7,700
Semester 3 *Short Semester	RM 950	RM 2,250 (RM 375 x 6 credits)	RM 3,200
Throughout the Study	RM 3,106	RM 10,000 (RM 375 x 40 credits)	RM 18,106
INTERNATIONAL (RM-Ringgit Malaysia)
No. of Semesters	Fee/Semester	Fee/Credit	Total
Semester 1	RM 2,206	RM 6,400 (RM 400 x 16 credits)	RM 8,606
Semester 2	RM 1,950	RM 7,200 (RM 400 x 18 credits)	RM 9,150
Semester 3 *Short Semester	RM 1,950	RM 2,400 (RM 400 x 6 credits)	RM 4,350
Throughout the Study	RM 6,106	RM 16,000 (RM 400 x 40 credits)	RM 22,106