ABOUT US

Biological sciences education and research could be traced back to the early days of 1959 with the institution of Kuala Lumpur Division of Universiti Malaya. The Faculty of Science of the division was officially opened on January 15, 1959, and the first session of the biological sciences higher education in Malaya commenced with the Department of Zoology and Department of Botany on the 25 May 1959 in borrowed premises until the Faculty of Science building was officially opened in 1961.

On 1 April 1967, the two departments merged under the School of Biological Sciences with five divisions viz., Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Genetics and Physiology. In April 1975, the School of Biological Sciences separated into three Departments of Botany, Zoology, and Genetics and Cellular Biology. The other two divisions of Ecology and Physiology were managed by the Department of Zoology. Physiology was discontinued in 1978 while Ecology continued to flourish as part of the Department of Zoology. In 1980, Microbiology was formed under the Department of Genetics and Cellular Biology. June 1, 1997 marked a significant point of evolution with the amalgamation of the three departments into the current Institute of Biological Sciences.

The changes over the years are necessary responses to the growing needs and demands of the developing nation, and reflecting the global trends in current research cutting across disciplines while providing progressive impact to the society and environment. Latest development in biotechnology and information science fields are integrated into our curriculum and research endeavours. Nevertheless, the foundation strength of the Institute in unravelling the rich biodiversity in our tropical ecosystems is still very much part of our DNA. Our philosophy is to keep up with the latest advances in science, technology, innovation and sustainability, and at the same time keeping sight of the need for fundamental studies on our rich biodiversity and ecosystems. The courses in our Degree Programs reflect and resonate solidly with this philosophy. The biological sciences at the Universiti Malaya is committed to provide our graduates with change-ready and global skillsets to meet future challenges.