BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY


Programme Overview

Ecology and biodiversity is a broad and diverse programme that includes scientific studies of various organisms exploring its diversity and interaction with the environment. Malaysia’s rich biodiverse terrestrial and aquatic natural ecosystems play vital life-support roles that provide us with quality air, food and water as well as numerous other health and economic benefits.


However, continuing habitat destruction and other anthropogenic impacts are resulting in major biodiversity loss especially in the tropics. As such, studies related to documentation of biodiversity and their linkages to the environment are of great value to the nation. In this regard, this program aims to produce well rounded graduates specialising in this subject which is in line with the vision of the country to conserve its biodiversity, to promote and ensure the sustainable use of biological resources.


Duration: 4 Years (8 Semester), Full Time (Coursework)

Programme Structure

  1. English Language / Foreign Language**
  2. Appreciation of Ethics and Civilizations
  3. Basic Entrepreneurship Enculturation
  4. Co-Curriculum
  5. Science, Technology and Society
  6. Cell Biology
  7. Introduction to Computer Programming in Bioinformatics
  8. Elective Courses: Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE): SHE Cluster 1 - Thinking Matters: Mind & Intellect
  9. Elective Courses: Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE): SHE Cluster 4 - Global Issue and Community Sustainability: Making the World a Better Place
  10. English Language / Foreign Language**
  11. Philosophy and Current Issues (local students) / Malay Language Communication*
  12. Co-Curriculum
  13. Statistics
  14. Bioethics and Safety
  15. Environmental Sustainability
  16. Bioinformatics Concepts
  17. Elective Courses: Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE): SHE Cluster 3 - Technology / Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics: i-Technie
  18. Elective Courses: Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE): SHE Cluster 2 - Emotional & Spiritual Intelligence: Heart & Soul
    • Integrity and Anti-Corruption
  1. Plant Diversity
  2. Vertebrate Biology
  3. Phycology
  4. Protozoa and Invertebrate I
  5. Elective Courses: Program (EP):
    1. Urban Zoology
    2. Terrestrial Ecology
    3. Plant Physiology
    4. Key Issues in Climate Change
    5. Ecosystem-based Management
  6. Principles of Systematics
  7. Mycology
  8. Invertebrate II
  9. Bioinformatics Data Management
  10. Elective Courses: Program (EP):
    1. Introductory Microbiology
    2. Aquatic Ecology
    3. Animal Physiology
    4. Renewable Energy Transition and Society
    5. Green Agriculture
    6. Sustainable Food Systems
  1. Research Project for Ecology and Biodiversity
  2. Behavioral Ecology and Ethology
  3. Quantitative Ecology
  4. Biological Data Analytics
  5. Elective Courses: Program (EP):
    1. Economic Botany
    2. Ecology and Management of Weeds
    3. Parasitology
    4. Economic Entomology
    5. Aquaculture Biotechnology
  6. Research Project for Ecology and Biodiversity
  7. Population and Community Ecology
  8. Scientific Communication
  9. Molecular Ecology and Applications
  10. Elective Courses: Program (EP):
    1. Plant Pathology
    2. Horticulture and Landscape
    3. Integrated Pest Management
    4. Ecotoxicology
    5. Slope Eco-engineering Techniques
  1. Biodiversity Governance and Conservation
  2. Nature and Society
  3. Elective Courses: Program (EP):
    1. Soil Ecology and Management
    2. Fisheries Ecology and Management
    3. Ecotourism
    4. Bioimage Processing and Analysis
    5. Population Genetics
  4. Industrial Training for Ecology and Biodiversity
Note:*Only for international students;

**Student whose native language is English

Career Prospects

Ecologist, Conservation Biologist, Environmental Consultant, Wildlife Biologist, Park Ranger, Natural Resource Manager, Environmental Educator, Biodiversity Researcher, Marine Biologist, Field Technician, Environmental Policy Analyst, Ecotourism Guide, Habitat Restoration Specialist, Forestry Officer, Zoologist, Environmental Impact Assessor, Sustainability Officer, GIS Analyst, Climate Change Analyst, Academic Researcher

Tuition Fee

Local

RM59,100

(Note: This fee is not applicable for UPU applicant)

International

RM70,600

Intake

Semester 2 (March) Intake, Academic Session 2025/2026

Entry Requirement

Entry Requirements for STPM (Science Stream)
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtain at least a grade of B- in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at STPM level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics T / Mathematics M."
Entry Requirements for Matriculation / Foundation (Science Stream)
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtain at least a grade of B- in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at Foundation/ Matriculation level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics
Entry Requirements for STAM
  • Not Offered
Entry Requirements for Diploma / Equivalent (UPU)
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Possess a Diploma from a Public University (IPTA) / ILKA / Polytechnic /IPTS or other qualifications recognized by the Government of Malaysia and approved by the Senate of the University Malaya, with a minimum CGPA of 3.00.
  • Obtain at least a grade of B- in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at Diploma level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics
Entry Requirements for UM (SATU)Foundations
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtain at least a grade of B- in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at UM SATU Foundation level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics
Entry Requirements for GCE A-Level
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a recognized GCE A-Level qualification
  • Obtain at least a grade of B in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at GEC A-Level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics T / Mathematics M
Entry Requirements for IB
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum score of 30 points
  • Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) or 6 (SL) in subject Biology
  • Obtained at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Further Mathematics / Mathematics
Entry Requirements for AUSMAT
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum score of 80 in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
  • Obtained at least a Grade B in any TWO (2) of the following subjects at the AUSMAT level: Mathematics / Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Entry Requirements for STPM (not from the current year)
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtain at least a grade of B- in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at STPM level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics T / Mathematics M
Entry Requirements for Matriculation/Foundation (not from the current year)
  • Malaysian citizen
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
  • Obtain at least a grade of B- in Biology
  • Obtained at least a Grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects at Matriculation/Foundation level: Biology; Physics; Mathematics

Entry Requirements for Senior High School Certificate
  • Pass with a minimum average of 65%
  • Obtain a minimum of 60% / grade B- in Biology
  • Obtain a minimum of 60% / grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Mathematics
Entry Requirements for Matriculations/Foundations
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 from a recognized institution approved by UM Senate
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B- in Biology
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Mathematics
Entry Requirements for Diploma
  • Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 from a recognized institution approved by UM Senate
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B- in Biology
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B- in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics
Entry Requirements for GCE A-Level
  • Obtain a recognized GCE A-Level qualification
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B in Biology
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics
Entry Requirements for IB
  • Obtain a minimum score of 30 points
  • Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in Biology
  • Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics
Entry Requirements for AUSMAT
  • Obtain a minimum score of 80 in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B in Biology
  • Obtain a minimum of grade B in any ONE (1) of the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics

Additional Requirement

  • Candidates who apply must be physically fit, not suffering from any mental or physical illness and able to follow the program of study designed for this course.

English Language Requirements

  • Obtain a minimum of Band 3.0 in MUET for examinations starting from Session 1 of the year 2021, or Band 3.0 for examinations up to the year 2020, according to the validity period on the date of application
  • Applicants without MUET but with the following results may be considered for conditional admission, provided they fulfil MUET requirement within ONE (1) academic session:
    • Obtain at least Band 4.5 (Academic) in IELTS; or
    • Obtain a minimum score of 33 in TOEFL iBT (Centre-based)
  • MUET 4.0
  • IELTS (Academic) 5.5
  • TOEFL iBT (Centre-based) 46
  • TOEFL Essentials (Online) 8.0
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) 51
  • Cambridge English Qualifications & Tests B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency 160