The Master of Biology program aims to provide students with the basic theoretical knowledge and scientific research methods in biology so that they can engage in scientific research, teaching, and management of biology and related disciplines after graduation. The followings are the different programs available within the Master of Biology program.

Botany

The Botany program is concerned with the study of the biological characteristics of rare and endangered plants, as well as the comparative study of the morphogenesis of economically important plants. The program focuses on various areas: (1) plant taxa in the subtropics, (2) flora of special locations and rare forest communities, (3) development and use of ornamental plants, and (4) classification, distribution, and analysis of the main chemical components of medicinal plants and the development of their utilization.

Zoology

The Zoology program focuses on animal reproduction, growth, development, and behavior, as well as the characteristics and mechanisms of energy metabolism and thermoregulation, with research emphasizing four areas.

1. The effects of environmental factors on the energy metabolism and thermoregulation of birds and the associated mechanisms of these effects.

2. The reproductive and behavioral strategies as well as the survival adaptation mechanisms of small mammals in response to climate change.

3. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of amphibian reptiles in response to the environment.

4. The reproductive and developmental biology and toxicology of aquatic mollusks and crustaceans.

Aquatic Biology

The Aquatic Biology program focuses on the biological mechanisms, ecological hazards, ecological population dynamics, and dispersal mechanisms of cyanobacterial blooms and marine red tides in eutrophic water bodies. It aims to develop new techniques for bloom control and assessment of the quality of the water environment. Research in this program also addresses the optimization, breeding, and ecological adaptability of cultivated seaweeds such as the economically important seaweed Amaranthus, as well as the characterization of the bioactive components of these seaweeds and their biological effects. Other aspects of the research program include the physiological ecology, immune response, and breeding of rare aquatic animals and their disease-resistance mechanisms.

Cell Biology

The Cell Biology program investigates the functional structures and metabolic products of cells and the principles of cellular activities at the microscopic, ultramicroscopic, and molecular levels. Research in this program also focuses on plant cell engineering, cellular toxicology, and cell differentiation and apoptosis.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program focuses on the research and development of bioactive products by focusing on the basic and applied research of active biomolecules represented by fucoidan and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). It also focuses on research that explores the molecular mechanism of various systems (e.g., immune system) and disease processes (e.g., diabetes, obesity, skin damage repair) through the study of new products.

Microbiology

The Microbiology program focuses on the biosynthesis of active ingredients in food and medicine, fermentation and processing of agricultural products, microbial treatment of hard-to-degrade pollutants, and microbial ecology. Other areas of focus are the metabolic control and efficient preparation of active ingredients of food and bacteria with medical values, fermentation, and processing of agricultural products using the methodologies and approaches derived from microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and fermentation engineering. In addition, the selection and breeding of microbial strains capable of degrading recalcitrant pollutants and their degradation mechanisms are also explored using chemical, microbiological, and environmental science methods and approaches.

Environmental Biology

The Environmental Biology program focuses on the interrelationships between organisms and damaged environments (changes in the environments caused by human disturbance and influence), the responses of organisms in different habitats to environmental pollution and ecological damage, as well as the role and mechanisms of biocleaning and bioremediation in the protection of damaged environments.

Chemical Biology

Research in the Chemical Biology program focuses on the use of chemical biology methods to study the biological role of active small molecules and macromolecules and the value of their application. The main focuses are on the application of chemical biology methods to explore in depth the biological role of polysaccharides and proteins to further enhance the application value of polysaccharides and proteins. In addition, this program also focuses on the application of chemical biology to elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity asserted on living organisms by heavy metals and other environmental toxins and to explore the detoxification of heavy metals and other environmental toxins by small bioactive molecules and their associated mechanisms.

Prerequisite

Students considering applying for the Master of Biology program should preferentially have a bachelor's degree in biology, medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, or a related field.

Degree

Master of Science