Biotechnology is the practical use of molecular biology breakthroughs to solve problems in agriculture, the environment, human and animal health, and biochemical speciality manufacturing. In the next century, the strategic use of genomic information will be the primary driver of biotechnology. The biotechnology revolution sparked by human genome sequencing will impact every aspect of our lives, from our environment to our diet to how we diagnose and treat disease. The breadth and depth of its influence will be considerably more significant as biotechnology breakthroughs pick up speed in the coming decade.

The discipline of biotechnology, which combines biology and technology, has a long and illustrious history. Its roots can be found in prehistoric societies when fermentation and selective breeding were used. With innovations like identifying DNA’s structure and creating recombinant DNA technology, the 20th century saw the beginning of contemporary biotechnology. This cleared the door for biopharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and the use of biotechnology in agriculture and environmental protection. Biotechnology has enormous potential to transform healthcare, food production, and sustainability in the modern world.

Human welfare is significantly impacted by biotechnology. Using cutting-edge biotechnology goods, biotechnology benefits people’s lives in numerous ways and keeps them healthy daily. Biotechnology uses genetic composition and nature’s toolkit to heal the planet and lower rates of infectious diseases and other life-threatening disorders that impact millions worldwide. Biotechnology aids in increasing yields while lowering expenses and using fewer pesticides. It aids in developing new pharmaceutical goods and techniques to enhance those already on the market. It improves our lives in a variety of ways. Modern biotechnology products keep us healthy daily and provide sustainable food, energy, and industrial chemicals.

A bachelor’s degree in biotechnology is a comprehensive program that provides students with a solid foundation in life sciences and technological applications. It includes genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Students gain hands-on laboratory experience, learn bioprocessing techniques, and explore biotechnology’s ethical and social implications. The modules of this course are mentioned below:

• Introduction to Biotechnology
• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Biochemistry
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Biomedical Biotechnology
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Ethical and Regulatory Considerations in Biotechnology

Employment of biological engineers is projected to grow 9 per cent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 12,200 new jobs will be added annually during this decade.

Humans strive to manage many species using basic methods that have evolved with scientific advancement to manipulate various live animals. Since the industrial revolution has advanced over the past century, people have been actively adopting cutting-edge machinery to increase the effectiveness of conventional biological methods. If you wish to participate in the advanced biotechnology field, this guide is for you.

Why Study This Program

Scope For the Future

The study of biotechnology offers a fascinating glimpse into the future that has the power to transform many industries and improve people’s lives. The possibilities are endless thanks to genetic engineering, bioinformatics, and bioprocessing developments. Healthcare is a crucial area with future potential. The development of personalised medicine, in which drugs are tailored to a person’s genetic profile, leading to more efficient and targeted therapies, is made possible by biotechnology. The field also offers the potential for developing novel diagnostic tools, state-of-the-art drug delivery systems, and regenerative medicine procedures.

Impact on agriculture is another fascinating area of biotechnology’s potential future application. Crops can be genetically modified to endure environmental stress, fend off pests, and improve nutritional value. This can improve agricultural yields, solve issues with food security, and support environmentally friendly farming methods. Additionally, biotechnology and environmental protection overlap. Microorganism-based bioremediation techniques may help clean up contaminated areas, while biofuels from renewable resources provide a more environmentally friendly substitute for fossil fuels, reducing climate change.

Contribute Growth to Various Sectors

A capable biotechnology expert can serve in a variety of fields and areas. One can work and provide support in manufacturing, cell biology, gene treatment, farming, environmental application, and many others. They can concentrate on fundamental topics and find solutions that would benefit humanity. Studying biotechnology provides a rare chance to support the expansion and development of several industries. Biotechnology has the potential to revolutionise industries.

Individuals may actively contribute to developing new medical treatments, such as gene therapies and personalised medicine, by becoming knowledgeable about biotechnology, which will improve healthcare quality worldwide. Finally, biotechnological industrial processes facilitate the production of biofuels, biobased materials, and sustainable manufacturing processes. A degree in biotechnology empowers individuals to contribute to the growth and advancement of these various sectors, promoting a sustainable future for the planet.

Better Career Path

The biotechnology course has a pretty broad range of topics. With a massive selection of classes, you have many opportunities to develop your profession. Maintaining the appropriate knowledge and abilities also helps you progress in your work. However, if you’re keen to work with cutting-edge technology, getting a degree in biotechnology from a reputable university will help you get some well-known and prominent jobs. A degree in biotechnology opens up promising opportunities for career development. As a rapidly evolving field, biotechnology offers several exciting and dynamic career opportunities. Graduates may work in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, biotech start-ups, or government agencies. 

With a degree in biotechnology, graduates can pursue various roles, including researcher, laboratory technician, bioinformatician, regulatory affairs manager, or even entrepreneurship in the biotechnology industry. In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology provides the opportunity to work with experts in various fields. The potential for career advancement, combined with the opportunity to impact society through scientific innovation significantly, makes the study of biotechnology a compelling choice for those seeking a dynamic and rewarding career.

Develop an International Reputation

A solid motive for studying biotechnology is the chance it provides to improve the discipline’s reputation on a global scale. With substantial contributions to science and society, biotechnology has become a cutting-edge and internationally relevant field. People can join the ranks of eminent academics and professionals who have won acclaim for their ground-breaking work on a global scale by studying biotechnology. The area promotes worldwide partnership and exchange of ideas and allows students to interact with professionals and institutions worldwide. 

Acquiring knowledge in biotechnology facilitates access to other perspectives and developments by opening doors to global research partnerships, conferences, and networking activities. The need for professionals with a solid foundation in biotechnology is also growing internationally as countries work to develop their biotech industries. Hence, studying biotechnology provides people with valuable information and skills valued internationally, improving their employment opportunities and perhaps enabling them to contribute to the field’s progress and standing in the world.

An Emerging Discipline

Intelligent agriculture, a cleaner, greener environment, and the rising need for food and fuel due to the expanding worldwide population are just a few of the major global issues we currently face. With the help of your studies in biotechnology, you will have the chance to develop your research abilities in using biological systems and principles to create new goods, services, and businesses. With rapid advances in genetic engineering, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, biotechnology is at the forefront of scientific innovation. 

By studying biotechnology, you can become part of a dynamic and evolving field, contribute to its growth, and help shape its future. The emerging nature of biotechnology also means a wealth of opportunities for research, discovery, and technological breakthroughs. You can explore unexplored areas, push the boundaries of knowledge, and explore new applications in medicine, agriculture, environmental science, and beyond.

Why Study In Malaysia

Impressive Range of Courses

The study of biotechnology offers a wide variety of courses that make it a fascinating area of study. The curriculum often covers a wide range of topics. With such a variety of courses, you can develop a solid foundation in several areas of biotechnology, giving you a wide range of skills. You can specialise in different areas of biotechnology, ranging from hands-on laboratory work to theoretical principles. 

Your adaptability will enhance your knowledge and understanding, providing more career opportunities. The range of biotechnology majors ensures a well-rounded education. It creates a wide range of prospects for possible career paths, regardless of one’s interests in healthcare, agriculture, or industrial applications.

Offers Opportunities to Students

One significant area of science rapidly expanding is biotechnology, where daily cutting-edge research is conducted. The most important benefit of the scientific sector is that it gives students interested in improving human existence more significant opportunities. Students interested in developing skill sets and the will to take action to enhance accessibility to human life are on the right track if they are interested in studying biotechnology.

Affordable Course Fees

The fee required to study biotechnology in Malaysia is comparatively less than that required in many other countries, such as the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada, to name just a few. With biotechnology degree expenses shooting up worldwide, Malaysia comes across as a reliable option to receive a high-quality education at an affordable cost.

Globally Recognised Degrees

Biotechnology degrees from Malaysian universities enjoy global recognition. Studying biotechnology in Malaysia allows students to pursue the program in Malaysia and then move anywhere globally. Several students continue their master’s and specialisation in Malaysia or transfer to other countries to pursue different pathways.

International Education Standard

The standard of biotechnology programs in Malaysia meets international standards. This ensures exceptional education for students who enrol in this course. The course curriculum is rigorously developed, keeping in line with international benchmarks to ensure students learn the latest developments in biotechnology in Malaysia. 

Excellent Campus Facilities and Infrastructure 

Malaysia offers excellent campus facilities, modern infrastructure, and innovative teaching aids for studying biotechnology in Malaysia. The schools in Malaysia offer a great learning atmosphere. Several leading universities have developed in-house labs and testing facilities dedicated to helping students learn with hands-on experience, operate with state-of-the-art machinery, and stay up to date with the latest innovations.

Career Prospects

A biotechnologist makes use of biological processes for industrial and other purposes. In other words, they employ biology in a helpful way, such as in manufacturing antibodies or protein medicines. However, “biotechnologist” generally encompasses various fields and sectors, including agriculture, cosmetics, and other goods and services. Despite the semantics, let’s consider what many biotechnologists perform: to produce protein therapeutics in the biopharmaceutical industry. Depending on the stage of the drug development process involved, there are several distinct positions in this particular area of the profession.

Scientists that specialise in biotechnology employ biological systems to develop new goods or find solutions to issues. They might collaborate with humans, animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, or other species to create new medicines, increase agricultural yields, or learn more about the natural world.

• Exploring new ways to use existing technologies or inventing new technologies to improve current processes or create new products
• Testing the effects of chemical or physical substances on microorganisms, plants, animals, or other test objects
• Conducting experiments to find out how organisms respond to different environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature or humidity
• Researching to develop new or improve existing biotechnologies
• Identifying organisms that can be used to produce valuable substances such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and vitamins
• Explaining results to scientists, medical professionals, and laypeople
• Preparing samples for analysis by examining them with specialised equipment such as spectrometers or microscopes

If you want to become a biotechnologist, you need a university degree. This must be in a relevant scientific subject such as biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental biology, or chemical engineering. Some skills you will need as a biotechnologist include:

• Strong Scientific Foundation
• Laboratory Techniques
• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
• Communication Skills
• Adaptability and Learning Agility

Medical Scientist

Medical researchers look into various illnesses and ways to avoid them to enhance their patient’s health. They are continually driven to prepare and analyse medical samples to understand the origins and prognoses of infections, toxins, and chronic disorders.

Clinical Technicianst

Clinical technical assistants work in laboratories collecting and processing samples from research and medicine. They prepare laboratory equipment, set up appropriate test conditions, sterilise and clean scientific instruments, operate robots, collect specimens, label specimens, and prepare laboratory reports.

Biochemist

A biochemist studies the chemical properties of biological processes and living things, including diseases, heredity, and cell growth or destruction. Such biochemists usually spend their time in laboratories because the research is very complex.

Chemical Operator

Heavy machinery in chemical facilities is controlled and maintained by chemical operators. They examine project reports to ascertain the needs for the machinery, technology, and chemical ingredients required to finish a project.

Microbiologist

Microbiologists must research the immune system, bacteria, and unique viruses to develop goods for industry and biomedicine. Several detailed studies are carried out to develop therapies for various infectious illnesses.

DNA Analyst

DNA analysers extract samples of DNA and run tests to gain genetic data. They compare DNA samples to ascertain familial ties, genetic background, medical history, and other information.

Process Development Scientist

Process improvement scientists typically oversee the production process at a company’s lab. They are constantly seeking methods to improve the product’s effectiveness and quality.

Business Development Manager

Business development managers lead the strategic plan for large Biotech companies. They lead expansion efforts, plan for industry risk avoidance, and support ongoing healthcare developments.

Biomanufacturing Specialist

These experts use techniques and equipment to ensure the product meets purity, potency, and safety standards. A large-scale protein produced in the biomanufacturing process is also employed to treat human illnesses.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer

A pharmaceutical manufacturer produces medication, chemical compounds, and other pharmaceutical items. They choose the necessary tools and materials to create a drug to satisfy customer demand.

Program Duration

The duration to study biotechnology in Malaysia is three years for the bachelor’s program. English is the medium of instruction followed in schools across all major international private universities. 

The first year will have a number of common subjects between different specialisations. As students progress to years two and three, their modules and subjects will become more specialised as per their field of choice. 

Students can sometimes switch from one specialisation to another, but it will require approval from the University faculty and the relevant authorities in Malaysia.

Students who want to opt for program transfers to another University will usually need to prepare the transfer paperwork and start processing from their second year onwards to ensure all the paperwork and approvals are in place so the program transfer can be done.

Entry Requirements

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) sets the entry requirements and guidelines for university admissions in Malaysia, which all universities must adhere to. All prospective international students must meet the minimum entry requirements, as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) takes these standards into account during the application acceptance and processing phases.

The admission requirements to study biotechnology in Malaysia for international students may vary from one university to another. However, the basic entry requirements are the same for most universities. 

Usually, there are two pathways to entering a degree program in Malaysia:

• First, students can join a foundation program after completing their secondary schooling, O levels, or equivalent qualifications. After completing the foundation in Science, they can continue to the bachelor’s degree as per their choice.
  
• Second, students who have completed their higher secondary school or A levels or equivalent will be able to join the bachelor’s degree programme directly into year one. 

If a student fails to meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree programme, the faculty may offer different pathways into the degree programme, for example, through a foundation or a diploma programme. 

Universities may raise the entry requirements to ensure incoming students are academically prepared for the rigours of their programmes. So, prospective international students should consult with an admission advisor to determine the precise entry criteria for their chosen programme and their preferred university.

General Entry Requirements For Bachelor’s Degree

A Levels or Equivalent:

• Pass with A Levels or equivalent with 3 subjects including Mathematics and 1 Science subject.

Foundation: 

• Passed the relevant Foundation programme or equivalent with 5 credits in Mathematics and one science subject for entry with pre-university /foundation qualification. 

English Language

International students who wish to study biotechnology in Malaysia will need to also provide proof of their English language proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL exams. Students who have studied the British or American curriculum are generally exempted from the English proficiency requirements since the medium of instruction for that curriculum is in English by default. 

Students who have studied other curriculums where the medium of instruction is also English will usually need to provide a supporting letter from the school stating that the instruction language for their schooling has been English. With that letter, English language requirements are proven to have been completed.

Fees & Cost

Students sometimes only look at the tuition fee during the comparison. However, depending on how forthright and clear the fee guidelines from the university are, the extra fees can be a hefty amount that could be a surprise. So students are advised to correctly add all the fees and decide which university fits their budget requirements to study biotechnology in Malaysia. 

Various factors will contribute to the overall cost structure, such as:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation fees
• Admission fee
• Registration and Visa fees and
• Other one-time fees.

These fees vary from university to university and can depend on varying factors. The quality, infrastructure, facilities and teacher-to-student ratio will also determine how much a university charges.

You must find the right balance between quality and cost to get the best education possible. The average cost to study biotechnology in Malaysia is between RM37,000 to RM46,000 per year, depending on the University.

For reference, that’s around USD $8,000 to $10,000 per year for a 3 year biotechnology degree program at the current exchange rate.

Accommodation

Accommodation cost is going to be another recurring fee for international students. Generally, students have two options: they can either stay at the on-campus accommodation provided by the university or at private accommodation. The prices will differ according to which university and area you choose.

Generally, campus accommodations at major universities start at around US$150 per month and can go up to $400 per month. The pricing for on-campus accommodation is determined by the size of the room, whether a student will be sharing the room or will be staying alone, or if the student is taking a master room which generally comes with an attached bathroom or decides to stay at a sharing room with shared bathroom.

Some universities also offer cooking facilities and on-campus accommodation, which are shared facilities which will also be factored into the accommodation costs. Utility costs are generally an add-on fee.

While choosing the university, you can check with your admissions advisor on the options available for accommodation and how much they will cost so that you have an idea of how much of a monthly budget you will require as a student.

Admission Procedure

Researching, applying and managing overseas admissions is a tedious, time-consuming and often confusing process. Incorrect application submissions can lead to lengthy processing, delayed approvals, or rejections. You can visit education, exhibitions and fairs to collect information. However, that is not enough. You can only collect cursory information at these places. However, your admission processing will usually take much longer. During that time, you will need consistent and dedicated support to ensure your application is in the right experienced hands.

This is where we help.

Edmates helps international students from around the world with complete admissions processing. Our integrated one-stop centre helps international students with everything. We help you find future-driven programs that match your abilities and interests in leading universities.

We handle the entire process from the beginning until you have joined the university. Our international support system will manage everything for you, absolutely free.

Each student is assigned with a dedicated admission advisor who will manage the complete admission process and also guide the student throughout the admissions process. The advisor will also liaise with the university admissions department to ensure clear communications and faster processing.

You can speak with your assigned advisor anytime by booking a free call online through the website. You will also receive regular updates regarding your application via emails, SMS and WhatsApp.

To learn about each step of the admission process, you can read our complete guide to start applying for your higher education the right way.