Biological Science and Technology
Introduction
Biotechnology is a series of enabling
technologies, which involve the manipulation of living organisms or
their sub cellular components to provide useful products, processes, or
services.
From the passed few decades, the dynamic and expanded
knowledge of molecular biology and cell biology has rapidly led
biotechnology to become a worldwide mainstream technology. Today the
biotechnology industry is poised to join the computer industry as a key
component of the world economy. The growing biotechnology industry and
its broad applications on medicine, agriculture, specific chemistry,
food industry and environment industry have drawn the attention of our
government. In October 2001, the Council for Economic Planning and
Development of the Executive Yuan put forward its five-year "Action
Plan" for development and promotion of biotechnology industry. The
recognition of the need for biotechnology training for business
professionals prompted ISU to establish the Department of Biological
Science & Technology in 2002. This department is dedicated to 4-year
quality educational program and to research aimed at the effective
education of a new breed of professionals in the biosciences.
Eduction and Research
Biotechnology is the commercialization of cell biology. The department of Biological Science & Technology will offer students opportunities to learn and understand the basic knowledge of the general biology, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and general chemistry and to advance in this exciting field. Furthermore, graduates trained in the technologies designed for biotechnology will find their training applicable to advanced research in various industries.
Program and Facility
The academic program is focused on
the modern molecular biology as a basic knowledge in the freshman year.
This fundamental knowledge inclusively permits the coming together of
fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, chemical engineering,
material science and bioinformatics. In the sophomore year, the
department offers a special section of biology to students and trains
them in basic laboratory techniques. Students will initiate themselves,
after considering their respective field and laboratory efforts and
their interests, toward one of the fields of medicinal biology,
bioinformatics or bioengineering in the Junior and senior year.
By exposing students to the basic knowledge and facilities of
biotechnology the department can help students by giving more
information on which to base their choice of a career.
The Future
Biotechnology has stirred worldwide interest in terms of the application of the technology. Our government is supporting new opportunities for research, development and applications of biotechnology. Biotechnology has not only increased its applications on medicine, agriculture, applied chemistry, food science and environmental science, but also has created a job market for individuals trained in biotechnology. In the near future, this department will establish interdisciplinary training programs and collaborate with other departments to enhance the interactions among different disciplines which are componential to our future school of medicine.
