Page 74 - Handbook PG 20182019

Faculty of Science Postgraduate Booklet, Session 2018/2019

Institute of Biological Sciences

The first session of the biological sciences at University of Malaya started in May 1959 and since
then transformed from the humble two departments to the multidisciplinary Institute of today.
The changes within the biological sciences reflect current global trends in research evolving away
from basic disciplines of botany and zoology. Nevertheless, the Institute is still documenting and
unravelling the rich biodiversity available in our tropical ecosystems. This is because fundamental
sciences form the baseline for biotechnology and information science. The Institute ‘s philosophy
is to keep up with the latest advances in Science and at the same time not losing sight of the need
for basic studies on our rich biodiversity. More changes are to be expected within the next few
years to ensure that the study of biological sciences in the University of Malaya is geared to meet
future challenges. Currently the Institute has 98 academic staff, 134 support staff and 341
postgraduate students in the Institute, making it the largest institute within the University.

73