Conservation Biology is an essential branch of science to overcome environmental crises due to human activities that cause the mass extinction of species and even the loss of ecosystems worldwide. The biggest obstacle to recent ecosystem conservation efforts is the isolation and destruction of habitats that hinder the nature of animal migration, leading to the disruption of the food chain and ultimately leading to the exposure of infectious diseases of animal origin to humans.

The Conservation Biology program presents an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates biological diversity with economic and social development. A variety of fields are applied in teaching and research, focusing on conserving nature and its natural resources. These multidisciplinary programs include, among others, conservation biology, biogeography, ecology, ethics, economics and natural resource management, and remote sensing. This program supports the needs of the 4th Industrial Revolution by emphasizing the culture of research and engagement with industry or external research institutions through research collaborations.

The broad approach will enable graduates to venture into a wide range of employment, including consulting, policy research, planning and management, and research and teaching. The program also aims to attract professionals working to renew or gain skills in the field of conservation biology and as a basis for further studies to the level of Doctor of Philosophy either specializing in the same or related field.

Course Work & Full Time

Minimum 2 semesters (1 year)

Maximum 4 semesters (2 years)

Intake – 2 times a year (March & October)

*subjected to UKM academic calendar

English Language

STPD6024 Research Methodology

This course introduces students to the research field. The course gives the students the required information on completing their Master or PhD by research in FST, UKM. Through the 12 weeks of lecture the students are taught the philosophy of research and research ethics. They are equipped with the skills necessary in writing their research proposal, presentation of research and compilation of research in form of thesis or dissertation. Skills such as experimental design, Endnote, Mendeley, Turnitin, publication, oral presentation and many more are taught over 44 hours of contact with students. The students are then evaluated based on their written proposal, presentation and defense of their proposal and a final examination.

STAP6064 Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing 

This course is divided into three parts: i.e. remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS). Students will be exposed to the theory and concept of remote sensing, geographical information system and global positioning system as technologies in digital mapping. The course also covers on spatial and non-spatial data processing and positioning of spatial location for spatial mapping purposes.

STAP6033 Biogeography 

Biogeography is a multidisciplinary science related to biology, geography, geology, paleontology and ecology.  Biogeography seeks to answer basic question such as why are there so many living creatures. Why are they distributed in the way they are? Have they always occupied current distribution patterns? Is the present activity of human affecting these patterns What are their prospects of future? In this course students will acquire knowledge on science of biogeography. This course is organized in four parts. The first part covers the ecological setting that includes geographical variation in physical environment and limits of species distribution. The second part involves the historical setting such as speciation, extinction, dispersal, endemism and reconstructing biogeographic histories. The third part covers distribution of taxa in space and time and the fourth part includes the ecological biogeography such as the equilibrium theory of island biogeography, island patterns and processes, and conservation. 

STAP6014 Natural Resource Prospecting  

The aim of this course is to identify the types and distribution of natural resources that exist on this planet. The term natural resource refers to both biotic resources (living organisms) and biotic resources (e.g. soil, water, limestone formations, petroleum, coal, gold etc.). The course will emphasize on the fact that natural resources need to be utilized by mankind. But at the same time, there needs to be some sort of balance between exploitation and conservation of these resources to minimize environmental destruction/degradation and meet the needs of future generations.

STAB6054 Conservation Ethics and Legislation 

Ethics and law are essential to conservation. The former sets the objective, and the latter the legal basis. This course will briefly introduce by way of background, the basic issues relating to conservation ethics and law. General ethical concerns, the evolution of laws relating to biological resources, habitat and ecosystems, at both global and national levels will be sketched. Various principles and concepts relating to biological conservation will also be discussed, to identify the inherent values (ethics). Institutional roles and functions will be outlined to describe the accountability and responsibility attached in implementing laws for conservation. The relationship between science, ethics and law will also be analysed in brief.

STAB6084 Natural Resource and Environmental Economics 

The course discusses the economic principles of natural and environmental resource conservation. Issues in sustainable economy of renewable and non-renewable resources, economic valuation of natural resource goods and environmental functions and their incorporation into a cost benefit analysis of development projects versus conservation will be given special attention. A discussion on the use of economic and market-based instruments to encourage natural and environmental resource conservation will be provided.

STAB6013  Conservation Biology 

The Earth is now in a critical period for the survival of its natural ecosystems and their plant and animal members. Conservation biology is a multidisciplinary science that has been developed to deal with this crisis. Conservation biology is not just about maintaining viable populations of all species. Conservation is also about moral philosophy, social justice, economics and politics. The course will be divided into a number of sections to reflect this multidisciplinary approach, namely the origins of conservation biology; biological diversity and its importance; threats to biological diversity; protection, restoration and management of populations, species, habitats and ecosystems; and economics and sustainable development.

STAB6034  Population and Community Ecology 

Population and community are the two most important subjects in ecology. Population ecology is the study of populations of animals and plants, a population being a group of interbreeding organisms, while community ecology is the study of any assemblage of populations in a prescribed area or habitat. In this course, populations are analyzed in terms of their variability, density, and stability, and of the environmental and other processes and circumstances that affect these characteristics. Among such determinants of a given population are birth and death rates; the distribution of ages and sexes; behavioral patterns of competition and cooperation; predator-prey, host-parasite, and other relationships with different species; food supplies and other environmental considerations; and migration patterns. Further, communities are analyzed based on traditional characteristics; diversity, dominance, growth form and structure, trophic structure and relative abundance; and described as distinctive living system with development and function. In analyses and assessment of populations and communities, mathematical models and indices that incorporate as many determinants and variables are used to predict the effect of change in any one determinant may have on a population and community

STAP6974 Research Project I 

The research project will be carried out in two semesters consecutively and each candidate is expected to submit their report at the end of the second semester. The titles for the projects will be given by the respective lecturers who are responsible to guide the students during their studies. This project will be evaluated based on the proposal presentation and the progress of the project in the first semester.

STAP6986 Research Project II 

The Research Project II is the continuation of the Research Project I where students in this semester are required to write a report in the form of a thesis on all the results gained from the two semester project. Evaluation will be on the outcome of the project and the way it is presented both in printed version and verbally. The project must be written according to the UKM format

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum CGPA 2.50 or equivalent, from any institutions of higher learning  recognized by the UKM Senate; or
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum CGPA 2.00 – 2.49 or equivalent, with minimum of 5 years working experience or research project in relevant field. Proof of the working experience of a foreign candidate should be acknowledge by the embassy of the respective country; or
• Fulfill Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL A) for local candidates only:
  • should be more than 30 years of age in the year of application; and
  • possess at least STPM or diploma in relevant field or other equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Malaysia and approved by the UKM Senate; and
  • possess a certificate of MQA APEL with MQF Level 7
• An international student shall obtain minimum results of TOEFL iBT score 46 / IELTS band 5.5 / CEFR band B2 / MUET band 3 (An international student who comes from a country where English is the official language, or who has obtained academic qualifications from any institution of higher learning that uses English as the medium of instruction may be exempted from the requirement for TOEFL / IELTS / MUET); and
• Fulfill other requirements prescribed by the UKM Senate from time to time.

1. Executive/Consultants (environmental/sustainability) in public and private sectors
2. Lecturers
3. Executive/Officer in public agencies (Perhilitan, Perhutanan)
4. Researchers in public and private agencies
5. Research officers in public and private agencies

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Programme Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wee Suk Ling Email : slwee@ukm.edu.my Phone : 03-8921 5925