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Faculty of Science Handbook, Session 2017/2018

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 1748 undergraduate students, 1256 postgraduate students, 264
academic staffs and 270 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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