BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY :

The stream in Biochemistry aims to provide a solid grounding in the fundamentals of metabolism and molecular biology leading to a study of the applications of this knowledge in the real world. Biotechnology exploits the most recently developed skills of present day Biochemistry and all aspects of modern Biology. Biotechnology is the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents to provide goods and services for human uses. Here, the biological agents include microbial, animal or plant cells and enzymes that are used to synthesize, degrade or transform materials. The scientific and engineering principles are mainly Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Physiology, Nutrition, Health, Breeding and Genetics. Biotechnology has four broad areas of application. They are Medical Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Industrial biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology in USTC is teaching students with hand on experience in the above areas. In USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, India, etc, most of the universities have started teaching biotechnology at under-graduate, post graduate level and research. Bangladesh and many south-Asian countries have also started teaching biotechnology at under-graduate level and research. Among the govt. and private Universities of Bangladesh, University of Science and Technology, Chittagong (USTC) at first opened the department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology under the faculty of basic medical and pharmaceutical sciences to tailor highly skilled Biochemists, Biotechnologists, Molecular Biologists and Genetic Engineers for the Biotech-century. Our reputed Founder Vice Chancellor and National Professor (Dr.) Nurul Islam sees great future of research activities in the department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. He encourages for all activities related to research. During the initial face our Hon's courses response is satisfactory.

CURRENT TRENDS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY :

1. Medicine Related Application: Commercial Synthesis of Hormones, Vaccines etc., Gene therapy, and Disease diagnosis.
2. Agriculture Related Application: Plant amenable to change by biotechnology; Seed quality, Photosynthesis, Nitrogen fixation, Herbicide Resistance.
3. Environment Related Application: Pollution control, Waste disposal, Bio-gas Biodegradable plastics etc.
4. Livestock Improvement: Dairy products, Meat quality and quantity.
5. Monoclonal Antibodies and their Application.
6. Microbial Application: Large-scale preparation of Organic chemicals, Biomining and Microorganisms as food of livestock.
7. Scope of Biochemistry and Biotechnology for Research.
8. Immense opportunities for students interested in going to higher education.
9. The degree is in high demand in job market in home and abroad.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY :

The B.Sc. (Hon's) course in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at USTC is a four-year degree program. The whole duration of the course is divided into Eight (8) semesters and the students will have to appear in the Semester Final Examination at the end of each semester. The teaching methodology comprises of extensive theoretical, practical/ laboratory classes.