Program Overview

Master of Philosophy in Biotechnology

The Master of Philosophy in Biotechnology is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in biotechnology. The program is structured to equip students with a strong foundation in the principles and applications of biotechnology, as well as specialized knowledge in a specific area of specialization.

Course Description

The courses for the MPhil Biotechnology are designed in consultation with relevant heads of academic units and stakeholders. In addition to the core courses, students are required to choose at least one elective course in a specific area of specialization, including:

• Plant Science
• Animal Science
• Food Biotechnology
• Soil and Environmental Biotechnology

Programme Structure

The program is structured into two years, with each year divided into two semesters.

Year 1, Semester 1

Core courses include:

• BIOT 603 Genomics (3, 0, 3)
• BIOT 605 Advanced Biotechnology (3, 0, 3)
• BIOT 607 Bioethics and Biosafety (3, 0, 3) Elective courses are offered in the following areas:
  • Plant Biotechnology
    • BIOT 611 Molecular Plant Physiology (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 613 Molecular Evolution of Plants (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 615 Plant Tissue Culture (3, 0, 3)
  • Animal Biotechnology
    • BIOT 617 Biotechnology in Animal Science (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 619 Advances in Immunology (3, 0, 3)
  • Food Biotechnology
    • BIOT 621 Food Microbiology and Biotechnology (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 623 Food Process and Product Development (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 625 Fermentation and Enzyme Technology (3, 0, 3)
  • Soil and Environmental Biotechnology
    • BIOT 627 Bioconversions of Biomass (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 629 Agricultural Ecology (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 631 Microbial Genetics (3, 0, 3)

Year 1, Semester 2

Core courses include:

• BIOT 602 Advanced Molecular Biology (3, 0, 3)
• BIOT 604 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (3, 0, 3)
• BIOT 606 Biostatistics and Research Methods (3, 0, 3)
• BIOT 610 Seminar I: Research Proposal (3, 0, 3) Elective courses are offered in the following areas:
  • Plant Biotechnology
    • BIOT 612 Plant Biotechnology (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 614 Genomics for Plant Breeding (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 616 Molecular Plant Pathology (3, 0, 3)
  • Animal Biotechnology
    • BIOT 618 Advanced Animal Physiology (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 622 Molecular Diagnostics for Animal Health (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 624 Animal Breeding and Genetics (3, 0, 3)
  • Food Biotechnology
    • BIOT 626 Food Safety and Regulations (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 628 Industrial Microorganisms (3, 0, 3)
  • Soil and Environmental Biotechnology
    • BIOT 632 Biodiversity and Conservation (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 634 Plant, Soil and Microbe Interactions (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 636 Environmental Microbiology (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 638 Bioremediation of Polluted Ecosystems (3, 0, 3)
    • BIOT 642 Hazardous Waste Management (3, 0, 3)

Year 2, Semester 1

• BIOT 620 Seminar II: Provisional Thesis Findings Report (0, 3, 3)

Year 2, Semester 2

• BIOT 600 Thesis (0, 30, 30)