Masters in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Introduction

Biotechnology is defined as the application of scientific and engineering principals to the processing of material by biological agents to provide goods and services. Biotechnology comprises a number of technologies based upon increasing understanding of biology at the cellular and molecular level. Biotechnology is the third wave in biological science and represents an interface of basic and applied sciences, where gradual and subtle transformation of science into technology can be witnessed. The practice of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology has now become an integral and essential component in many diverse spheres, such as Health Care & Medical Technology, Agriculture, Food & Beverage industry, Pharmaceutical industry and Environmental management. The application of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology can result in adding modifications to existing products with improved outcomes and benefits as well as in producing innovative products.

By reading a Masters Degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, students from a variety of backgrounds with varied levels of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology experience will develop an understanding of contemporary Molecular Biology and Biotechnology principles and practices. Moreover, one can gain the skills and knowledge required for employment in the Biotechnology industry. In many instances, for the efficient discharge of their duties, it is necessary that such graduates possess the ability to understand clearly the nature of a given problem, use a variety of molecular biological methodologies and techniques (both manual and instrumental) to obtain accurate and precise measurements and interpret the results to arrive at appropriate conclusions. Although undergraduate curricula provide a strong background in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with a basic training in experimental aspects, a sound hands-on experience together with advanced principles of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is often beyond the scope of such curricula, mainly due to time constraints. The absence of properly trained molecular biologists and biotechnologists in Sri Lanka is a major drawback in the realization of our industrial and scientific potential, especially in the current atmosphere of increasing industrialization. The Board of Study in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS) has updated the Masters Degree Programme in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, introducing new courses to timely national demands. This proposal introduces a five-credit independent study module to improve writing / oral communication skills and a thirty-credit Research Project to improve experimental / analytical skills applied to Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

This Masters Degree Programme will thus prepare the candidate to take the challenge of meeting not only national needs in diverse areas as stated above, but also to continue toward a higher degree anywhere in the world.