The microbiology postgraduate programme has evolved into a multidisciplinary research, which encompasses traditional microbial disciplines and the more recent molecular approaches, such as DNA technology. Active research areas span both fundamental and applied microbiology. Its multidisciplinary nature leads to graduates who are more versatile and enjoy rewarding careers in science.

Current research projects include identification and characterization of compounds and metabolites from local plants that can inhibit Helicobacter pylori, bacterium that causes peptic ulcer; production of flavour or enhancer, dye and industrial enzymes from a variety of microorganisms; characterization of nifgenes (nitrogen fixation gene) in a number of Gram positive bacteria; isolation and identification of psychrophilic nitrogen fixing microbes from Antarctica; and developing a microbial process to convert oil palm to biodegradable plastic, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The department also houses a Fusarium collection as part of an international collaboration on Fusarium.

Research Thrust Areas:

1. Microbiology

• Bacteriology
• Mycology
• Parasitology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Industrial Microbiology
• Immunology
• Microbiology

Expertise available in the following School:
School of Biological Sciences

Applicants should possess one of the following:

• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 2.50-2.99/4 with additional requirements; or
• Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

Full-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters

Part-time: Min 6 semesters /Max 15 semesters

** Fees are subject to change

This Programme includes research on various fields. The fields offered are as followed:-

1. Marine Pollution and Toxicology

• Research on the behaviour of environmental pollutants in the estuarine and coastal waters, and their effects on physiological status of marine organisms

2. Coral Reef Ecosystem

• Research in monitoring, understanding and restoring coral reefs from the microbiology and genetics aspects and also reef processes and the effects of natural and man-made influences on the health and conservation of coral reefs

3. Marine Sciences

• Research in marine biodiversity, impacts and adaptation to climate change, water quality and ecosystem health

Expertise available in the following Centre:
Centre for Policy Research and International Studies

Candidates are required to possess:

• A Bachelor degree in related field (minimum CGPA 3.00/4.00)

In cases where the candidates do not meet the minimum CGPA requirements, research experience or journal publications may be used to support applications.

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

Full-time : Min 2 semesters / Max 6 semesters

Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 12 semesters

** Fees are subject to change

Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing areas in applied biology. The practical application of cells or its components in manufacturing and service industries entail the integration of knowledge from microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, chemistry as well as chemical and process engineering. The programme gives students theoretical and practical background in biotechnological techniques and applications while developing a strong understanding of cellular biology involving microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. The programme boasts modern research facilities such as an automated DNA sequence, electron microscopes, protein crystallography and a 100 litre fermenter. Existing projects include functional genomics for rubber production, in search of natural compounds with potential roles in chemical biology, stem cell biology, structural biology and protein chemistry.

Research Thrust Areas:

1. Biotechnology

Expertise available in the following Centre:
Centre for Chemical Biology

Applicants should possess one of the following:

• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 2.50-2.99/4 with additional requirements; or
• Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

Full-time : Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters

Part-time: Min 6 semesters/ Max 15 semesters

** Fees are subject to change

** New fees to be imposed starting from Academic Session 2025/2026 (October 2025 intake onward)

** Fees are subject to change

This Programme includes research on various fields. The fields offered are as followed:-

Research Thrust Areas:

1. Study on Mangrove Ecosystems

• Research on various aspects of the dynamics operating in this complex ecosystem such as biological productivity, estuarine hydrodynamics and nutrient fluxes.

2. Marine Pollution and Toxicology

• Research on the behaviour of environmental pollutants in the estuarine and coastal waters, and their effects on physiological status of marine organisms

3. Mariculture

• Research on marine aquaculture of fish, seaweed, mollusk and crustacean for sustainability.

4. Coral Reef Ecosystem

• Research in monitoring, understanding and restoring coral reefs from the microbiology and genetics aspects and also reef processes and the effects of natural and man-made influences on the health and conservation of coral reefs.

5. Integrated Coastal Zone Management

• Research in the management of the coast using an integrated approach, regarding all aspects of the coastal zone, including geographical and political boundaries, in an attempt to achieve sustainability.

6. Marine Sciences

• Research in marine biodiversity, impacts and adaptation to climate change, water quality and ecosystem health.

7. Biodiversity Conservation

• Research in the theory and practice of ecological networks to conserve biodiversity; sustainable utilization and conservation of flora and fauna; biodiversity change and sustainable development

Expertise available in the following Centre:
Centre For Marine And Coastal Studies

Candidates are required to possess:

• A Master degree in related field (research mode); or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
• A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 2.50-2.99/4 with additional requirements; or
• Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)

In cases where the candidates do not meet the minimum CGPA requirements, research experience or journal publications may be used to support applications.

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

Full-time : Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters

Part-time: Min 6 semesters/ Max 15 semesters

** Fees are subject to change

** New fees to be imposed starting from Academic Session 2025/2026 (October 2025 intake onward)

** Fees are subject to change