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Offered by the Department of Plant Sciences

Biotechnology and Microbiology are exceptionally dynamic and exciting fields of biological sciences. Recent advances in these fields are making our lives better, providing healthier lifestyles and making the world more sustainable. On this interdisciplinary degree program, you can find out how biotechnology and microbes can be used to improve food, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and environment, while laying a solid foundation for a career as a biotechnologist or a microbiologist.

Eligibility

GCE Advanced Level Examination (local) – Three passes in one sitting including Biology and Chemistry as subjects

Or

Any other equivalent academic qualification acceptable to the faculty board and the senate

Course Fees

LKR 300,000/-

Application Fee: LKR 3,000/-
Annual course fee: LKR 300,000/-

The annual course fee cannot be paid as installments. Please note that fees paid are not refundable.


Information for 2024 Intake Applicants

Dates to be remembered:

  • Registration of 2024 intake at CCUC: December 2023
  • Inauguration of the program for 2024 intake: 28th of January 2024
  • Commencement of the program for 2024 intake: January 2024

For Any Inquiries:

Coordinator
Dr Anushka Wickramasuriya
anushka@pts.cmb.ac.lk
+94 711 554 123

Dates to be remembered (Intake 2025)

  • Calling online application for the 2025 intake: August 01, 2024
  • Application deadline for the 2025 intake: September 30, 2024
  • Interviews for the 2025 intake: October 20, 2024
  • Final list of the 2025 intake: October 30, 2024
  • Registration of 2025 intake at CCUC: December 2024
  • Inauguration of the program for 2025 intake: January 2025
  • Commencement of the program for 2025 intake: January 2025

Programme Duration

The duration of this programme is three years. During each year, the programme is conducted over two semesters of 20 weeks.

Programme Structure

BSc (External) in Biotechnology and Microbiology will be completed in three years (90 Credits / SLQF Level 5) and it consists of three levels.

  • LEVEL I: Diploma in Biotechnology and Microbiology (30 Credits)
  • LEVEL II: Higher Diploma in Biotechnology and Microbiology (60 Credits)
  • LEVEL III: BSc (External) in Biotechnology and Microbiology (90 Credits)

More details and set of courses can be found in the course catalogue.

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Mode of Learning

Teaching is delivered by a well-qualified and experienced panel of academics in a blended learning mode (both online and on-campus) during weekends.

Lecturers and Tutorials:
All our teaching activities will be conducted online on weekends.

Discussion Sessions:
For each course module a few on-campus student-centered discussion sessions will be arranged to give students the freedom and flexibility to identify the pace and learning style that suit them best.

Practical Classes:
Our practical sessions are designed to provide you with hands-on training on laboratory skills.

Field Courses:
A few course modules of this degree program provide the opportunity for you to enhance your learning through field experience.

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction, as well as that of assessments/examinations, shall be English, and the medium for correspondence shall also be English.

Evaluation Criteria

All course modules will be evaluated through continuous and/or semester-end examinations (written and/or practical).

Intended Learning Outcomes of the degree Programme

At the end of the 3 years (SLQF Level 5) BSc (External) in Biotechnology and Microbiology holders should be able to:

  • Demonstrate broad conceptual understanding in the fields of study.
  • Demonstrate practical skills in disciplines related to Biotechnology and Microbiology.
  • Effectively communicate & disseminate knowledge, information and ideas to specialists and a wider society.
  • Develop attitudes and skills required for employment and life-long learning.
  • Practice professionalism and uphold ethical standards.
  • Function independently as well as interdependently.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills.
  • Express emotional and intellectual maturity in a global setting.

Course Modules

LEVEL I - BSc (External) in Biotechnology and Microbiology (30 Credits)

*Compulsory course to be eligible for Diploma in Biotechnology and Microbiology

Semester I

Course Code Course Title Credit /Hours Core /Elective
BM 1001 Cell Structure and Function 1C (10L 10P) Core
BM 1002 Genes and Heredity 2C (20L 20P) Core *
BM 1003 Variety of Plant and Animal Life 3C (30L 30P) Core
BM 1004 The World of Microorganisms 2C (30L) Core *
BM 1005 Techniques in Microbiology 2C (60P) Core *
BM 1006 Acellular Microorganisms 1C (15L) Core *
BM 1007 Introductory Biochemistry 2C (15L 30P) Core *
BM 1008 Foundation to Biotechnology 1C (15L) Core *
BM 1009 Fundamentals of Molecular Biology 1C (15L) Core *

Semester II

Course Code Course Title Credit /Hours Core /Elective
BM 1010 Environmental Microbiology 3C (30L 30P) Core *
BM 1011 Plant-microbe Interactions 2C (20L 20P) Core
BM 1012 Human-microbe Interactions 2C (20L 20P) Core
BM 1013 Principles of Immunology 1C (15L) Core
BM 1014 Analytical Chemistry for Biotechnology 3C (30L 30P) Core *
BM 1015 Concepts and Methods in Biostatistics 3C (30L 30P) Core *
BM 1016 Scientific Writing I 1C (15L) Core

LEVEL II - BSc (External) in Biotechnology and Microbiology (60 Credits)

Semester Course Code Course Title Credit /Hours Core /Elective
Semester I BM 2002 Biochemistry of Life Processes 2C (15L 30P) Core
Semester I BM 2003 Cell and Tissue Culture 3C (30L 30P) Core *
Semester I BM 2005 Biotechnology and Energy 2C (20L 20P) Core *
Semester I BM 2006 Post-Harvest Management 2C (20L 20P) Core *
Semester I BM 2009 Molecular Biology Techniques 3C (30L 30P) Core *
Semester I BM 2011 Experimental Design 2C (15L 30P) Core
Semester I BM 2014 Microbial Culture Maintenance 1C (10L 10P) Core *
Semester II BM 2001 Microbial Biochemistry and Physiology 2C (15L 30P) Core
Semester II BM 2004 Agricultural Biotechnology 3C (30L 30P) Core *
Semester II BM 2007 Plant Disease Management 3C (30L 30P) Core
Semester II BM 2008 Basic Bioinformatics 2C (20L 20P) Core *
Semester II BM 2010 Immunological Applications in Biotechnology 1C (15L) Core *
Semester II BM 2012 Nanotechnology and its Biological Applications 1C (15L) Core *
Semester II BM 2013 Microbial Genetics 1C (15L) Core *
Semester II BM 2015 Current Topics in Biotechnology and Microbiology 1C (30P) Core *
Semester II BM 2016 Scientific Writing II 1C (15L) Core

*Compulsory course to be eligible for Diploma in Biotechnology and Microbiology

LEVEL III - BSc (External) in Biotechnology and Microbiology (90 Credits)

Semester Course Code Course Title Credit /Hours Core /Elective
Semester I BM 3001 Food Microbiology 2C (20L 20P) Core
Semester I BM 3002 Advanced Molecular Biology 3C (45L) Core
Semester I BM 3003 Applications in Medical Biotechnology 2C (30L) Core
Semester I BM 3004 Industrial Microbiology 2C (30L) Core
Semester I BM 3005 GMOs and GMFs 2C (30L) Core
Semester I BM 3013 Assignment/Case Study 4C (120P) Core
Semester II BM 3006 Enzyme Technology 2C (30L) Core
Semester II BM 3007 Entrepreneurship 3C (15L 60P) Core
Semester II BM 3008 Laboratory Management 3C (45L) Core
Semester II BM 3009 Pharmaceuticals and Cosmeceuticals 2C (20L 20P) Core
Semester II BM 3010 Aspects of Bioprospecting 2C (30L) Core
Semester II BM 3011 Fermentation Technology 2C (30L) Core
Semester II BM 3012 Protecting Intellectual Property 1C (15L) Core

Further Information

Further information regarding the Programme can be obtained by contacting the programme coordinators

Contact details of the programme coordinators are as follows.

Programme Coordinator

biotech.microbiology@sci.cmb.ac.lk

Coordinator/Examinations

bm-examinations@sci.cmb.ac.lk

Coordinator/Student affairs and QA

bm-studentaffairsqa@sci.cmb.ac.lk

Coordinator/Learning resources

bm-learningresources@sci.cmb.ac.lk