Page 4 - handbook 20152016

Faculty of Science Handbook, Session 2015/2016

Introduction to Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is among the oldest and most accomplished faculties in the University of Malaya.
Established in 1959 with four departments namely Department of Botany, Department of Chemistry, Department
of Mathematics and Department of Zoology. Currently, the Faculty of Science is the biggest faculty in University
of Malaya with nearly 1739 undergraduate students, 1185 postgraduate students, 264 academic staffs and 277
support staffs.

In addition to functioning as a teaching centre, the Faculty of Science, staffed with locally and internationally feted
researchers, serves as one of the main and excellent research hub for Science & Technology in the region.
Faculty of Science has established Research Centres including Photonics, CENAR, CEBAR, UMCiL, Nanocat,
CIUM, CRYSTAL, Mushroom Research Centre, Institute of Ocean and Earth Science and Glycolipids Self-
Assembly and Related Phenomena. Apart from many modern research facilities and equipment, the faculty also
boasts several research centres including the Ulu Gombak Field Studies Centre and the Glami Lemi
Biotechnology Research Centre (PPBGL) in Jelebu. Hence, the Faculty of Science continues to be the most
productive faculty in University of Malaya in terms of research activities and scientific publications.

One of the public attractions at Faculty of Science is Rimba Ilmu – a tropical botanical garden in the heart of
Kuala Lumpur. Rimba Ilmu means "The Forest of Knowledge" in the Malay language. It is modeled after a rain
forest garden concept rather than a formal flower garden. It emphasises the flora of the Malaysian and Southeast
Asia. Rimba Ilmu's mission is to generate and promote awareness and knowledge of tropical plant life and its
environment, ecology and conservation through the development and management of facilities and activities
appropriate to its function in a university located within Malaysia's most developed and populated landscape.

The faculty also manages its very own online scientific journal, the “Malaysian Journal of Science” which
publishes high quality research outputs of its members besides receiving other worldwide contributions.

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