Standardized Education System: This program follows a standard curriculum that has been approved by the University Grants Commission of BangladeshThe approved syllabus is revised annually to reflect current needs. BRAC University has a strong teaching platform led by specialized faculty members who have absolutely stellar teaching and research experiences from internationally renowned universities.

Outstanding Research Facilities: Excellent laboratory facilities have been made available on campus in order to build scientifically skilled manpower. Students must complete a research project as their thesis work in order to obtain the degree and they have the opportunity to gain valuable industrial experience through an internship. Each course in this curriculum includes experiments to conduct as in-class laboratory work.

Outreaching Towards Globalization: Graduates of this department will undoubtedly have an impact in terms of resolving global socioeconomic problems. BRAC University students compete in a variety of national and international research competitions and international conferences. With scholarships and fellowships, most of the graduates of this department successfully proceeded with their higher education at prestigious universities and research institutions. BRAC University faculty members have collaborative international research engagements, which contribute to placement of this department’s graduates worldwide.

This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers a biotechnology degree can offer.
The applications of biotechnology are diverse and are most popularly utilized in health and medical sciences, biomedical engineering, agriculture, cell biology, immunology, seed technology, virology and plant physiology. It is filled with lucrative opportunities to work in the medical sector as well as research and development.

An undergraduate degree in biotechnology from BRAC University will prepare students for a wide range of careers in the study of life:

Biomedical Engineer
Medical Scientist
Clinical Technician
R&D Scientist
Process Development Scientist
Biotechnological Technician
Epidemiologist
Medical and Clinical Lab Technologists
Product Strategist
Biomanufacturing Specialist
Microbiologist
Bioproduction Specialist
Biochemist
Business Development Manager
Biopharma Sales Representative

BRAC University works together with employees from many faculties and departments within the university, as well as with hospitals and government research institutions in Bangladesh.  Additionally, BRAC University has close ties to researchers and organizations all around the globe whose skills and resources complement those of the university’s own, since world-class experts frequently visit the university to give their valuable talks in seminars.
In the future, BRAC University hopes to fortify, broaden, and establish new collaborations. The university seeks interest declarations from both academia and business.

Major collaborations
Institutions                     Type of organization

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b)--International research on public health

Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI)--Pharmaceutical industry

Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd--Pharmaceutical industry

Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi)--Institute for developing science and health initiatives

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARI)--Government research institute for agriculture

National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB)--The only government institute of biotechnology

Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)--Government research institute for science and industrial research

Biotechnology is the niche of biological science that combines technology and engineering techniques with biological systems like organisms and cells to create products and services. There are many opportunities in this rapidly growing field. Some potential prospects are explained below.

BRAC University On-Campus Opportunities

    Position                                 Status
Student Tutor                        Part-time
Teaching Assistant          Part-Time/Full Time
Research Assistant         Part-Time/Full Time
Lab Officer                              Part-Time/Full Time
Lab Technician                     Part-Time/Full Time
Lecturer                                      Part-Time/Full Time

Off-Campus Opportunities

Research institutes like the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR), Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF), National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and NGRI are all excellent organizations with world-class research laboratories, known to provide internship, research, and job opportunities to biotechnology students. Additionally, students can opt for teaching opportunities at different schools and universities. Many corporations like Nestle and Unilever employ biotechnology students for research and development while pharmaceutical companies like Renata and Beximco are also on the lookout for fresh graduates.

Higher Studies

BRAC University offers a Master of Science in Biotechnology with additional perks for students. Students can branch out to public health, microbiology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, immunology, and many other biological science-related national and international master’s and Ph.D. programs, while also exploring the same degrees in biotechnology itself, while having specializations. Students can also explore careers in genetics, pharmaceutical consultancy, forensic sciences, scientific writing, etc.

"Program Structure Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (BSC BIO) (Effective for student intake Fall 2020 and onwards)"

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 136
Category Course Code and Name Credit Hours
UNIVERSITY CORE (General Education) 39
Language (compulsory) 6
Based on Admission Test Result ENG101/ENG103 English Fundamentals/ Advanced Writing and Presentation 3
ENG102 Composition I 3
Mathematics and Sciences (compulsory) 15
PHY101/MAT101 Introduction to Physics/Fundamentals of Mathematics 3
CHE101 Introduction to Chemistry 3
CSE101 Introduction to Computer Science 3
ENV103 Elements of Environmental Sciences 3
STA101 Introduction to Statistics 3
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences(compulsory) 9
EMB101 Emergence of Bangladesh 3
BNG103 Bangla Language and Literature 3
HUM103 Ethics and Culture 3
The students will take another three courses from the approved courses of BRAC University with the permission of the student’s advisor and the chairperson of the relevant department and according to students’ preference. 9
Arts and Humanities (One course)
HUM101 World Civilization and Culture 3
HUM 102 Introduction to Philosophy 3
HST 102 The Modern World 3
Social Sciences (One course)
ECO105 Fundamentals of Economics 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 3
POL101 Introduction to Political Science 3
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology 3
Communities Seeking Transformation (One course)
CST 303 Law for Life, Peace and Justice 3
CST 306 Business Leaders for Tomorrow: Is Cultural Knowledge Impactful? 3
CST 307 How does Art Matter? Artists, Community and Future 3
PROGRAM CORE  78
BCH101 Basic Biochemistry 3
BCH102 Biophysical Chemistry 3
BCH201 Human Physiology 3
BCH202 Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics 3
BTE101 Introduction to Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering  3
BTE102 Microbial World     3
BTE103 Plants and People  3
BTE201 Bioorganic Chemistry 3
BTE202 Metabolism 3
BTE203 Introduction to Molecular Biology     3
BTE204 Fundamentals of Genetic Engineering                 3
BTE302 Microbial Biotechnology 3
BTE303 Basic Immunology 3
BTE304 Environmental Biotechnology 3
BTE306 Industrial Biotechnology                                      3
BTE307 Advanced Molecular Biology    3
BTE308 Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering  3
BTE401 Bioinformatics                                                          3
BTE402 GMOs and Biosafety 3
BTE403 DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Diagnostics 3
BTE404 Bioprocess Technology 3
BTE317 Biostatistics 3
BTE155 Biotech Labs I 3
BTE255 Biotech Labs II 3
BTE258 Biotech Labs III 3
BTE355 Biotech Labs IV 3
Thesis/Project and Internship 7
BTE400 Industrial Attachments 3
BTE450 Biotech Project 4
PROGRAM ELECTIVE 4 COURSES 12
BTE309 Food Biotechnology 3
BTE310 Medical Biotechnology 3
BTE311 Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology 3
BTE312 Computer Applications in Biotechnology 3
BTE313 Biomass and Biofuels 3
BTE314 Livestock and Fishery Biotechnology 3
BTE315 Bioremediation and Biodeterioration 3
BTE405 Advanced Immunology 3
BTE406 Genomics and Proteomics 3
BTE407 Waste Biotechnology 3
BTE408 Advanced Agricultural Biotechnology 3
BTE409 Advanced Bioinformatics 3
BTE410 Human Genome Project 3
BTE411 Virology and Oncology 3
BTE412 IPR and Biotechnology 3
BTE413 Bioethics 3
BTE414 Global Impact of Biotechnology                            3
BTE415 Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology 3
BTE416 Biochemical Engineering Principles 3
BTE417 Enzyme Biotechnology 3


V. Semester wise Distribution of Courses for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

1st Year

Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
BCH 101 Basic Biochemistry 3
BTE 101 Introduction to Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering 3
GED COURSE 1      3
GED COURSE 2      3
GED COURSE 3      3
Sub Total 15 Credits

Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Second  RESIDENTIAL SEMESTER
GED COURSE 4                         3
GED COURSE 5                     3
GED COURSE 6                         3
GED COURSE 7                         3
Sub Total 12 Credits

Total Credits in 1st Year = 15+18= 33

2nd Year

Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Third
BTE 103 Plants and People 3
BCH 102 Biophysical Chemistry 3
BTE 102 Microbial World 3
BTE 155 Biotech Lab I                    3
GED COURSE  8                                 3
GED COURSE  9                                  3
Sub Total 18 Credits




Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Fourth
GED COURSE  10                               3
BCH 201 Human Physiology        3
BCH 202 Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics 3
BTE 201 Bioorganic Chemistry 3
BTE 202 Metabolism 3
BTE203 Introduction to Molecular Biology 3

Sub Total 18 Credits

Total Credits in the 2nd year= 18+18=36


3rd Year

Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Fifth
GED COURSE  11                                 3
BTE 204 Fundamentals of Genetic Engineering 3
BTE 302 Microbial Biotechnology 3
BTE 303 Basic Immunology 3
BTE 255 Biotech Lab1I 3
Elective Course 1                              3

Sub Total 18 Credits
Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Sixth
Elective Course 2                              3
GED COURSE 12                                         3
GED COURSE 13                                        3

BTE 304 Environmental Biotechnology 3
BTE 306 Industrial Biotechnology 3
BTE 258 Biotech Lab III 3
Sub Total 18 Credits

Total Credits in Third Year= 18+18=36

4th Year

Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Seventh
BTE 307 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
BTE 308 Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering 3
Elective Course 3                                       3                       
BTE 401 Bioinformatics 3
BTE 317  Biostatistics                                           3
BTE 355   Biotech Lab IV                  3
Sub Total 18 Credits

Semester Course No. Course Name Credits
Eighth
BTE402    GMOs and Biosafety 3
BTE 403     DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Diagnostics 3
BTE 404    Bioprocess Technology 3
Elective Course 4                           3
BTE 400 Industrial Attachment 3
BTE 450 Biotech Project/Thesis      4
Sub Total 19 Credits

Total Credits in 4th Year 17+17= 34

Total Credits in eight semesters/four years

1st Year= 33
2nd Year= 36.0
3rd year= 36
4th Year= 34.0

Total = 136

VI. Academic System & Evaluation Method

a. Academic Standards

In keeping with the mission and goals in mind, the undergraduate program in biotechnology strives to ensure high academic standards by implementing well-designed curricula, carefully selecting high quality students and faculty, utilizing modern and effective instructional methods and aides, and by continuously monitoring and rigorously evaluating all the pertinent activities and systems. A special feature of teaching is the tutorial/ laboratory/ workshop sessions designed to assist students in learning application of the concepts and theories.

b. Courses and Credit Requirements

The Bachelor of Science program in biotechnology follows the model of higher education consisting of semesters, courses, credit hours, continuous evaluation and letter grading as in all other courses of BRAC University. There are two regular semesters: Fall and Spring, each with a duration of 14 weeks and a summer semester of 9 weeks. The undergraduate curriculum consists of general education courses, major courses, elective courses and non-major area courses.

Credit hours for a course are assigned on the basis of a 14-week semester. One (1) credit hour means that the course meets for 60 minutes in a class each week; 3 credits mean that it will meet three times every week.

c. Examination, Evaluation and Grading

The grading process will undoubtedly be transparent. The performance of the students is evaluated throughout the semester through class tests, quizzes, assignments, and midterm exams. End of semester evaluation includes final examinations, term papers, project reports etc. Numerical scores earned by a student in tests, examinations, assignments etc. are cumulated and converted to letter grades.

d. Distribution of Marks & GPA Computation

The distribution of marks for the performance evaluation is as follows:

i. Theory Courses

Section Marks %
1. Quizzes/ Class Tests/ Assignments/ Participation/ Attendance 30
2. Mid Term Examination 20
3. Final Examination (comprehensive), Projects 50
Total Marks 100

ii. Lab Courses

Section Marks %
1. Reports/ Class Tests/ Participation / Viva-Voce 30
2. Lab Experiments 30
3. Final Examination 40
Total Marks 100

iii. Thesis / Project

Thesis / Project work will be spread over two semesters (7th & 8th).

The biotechnology program offers well-equipped laboratories with skilled human resources for maintenance and guidance. The research programs in the department incorporate vital areas of medical, environmental, and plant biotechnology. Along with that, a well-established computer laboratory is available for students to do research in bioinformatics. Apart from high-end laboratory facilities, students can reach out to their teachers regularly during their consultation hours. All student tutors and teaching assistants provide regular consultation hours for the students as well.

Available facilities for research in:

● BIOCHEMISTRY
● MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
● MICROBIOLOGY
● SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
● BIOINFORMATICS
● PUBLIC HEALTH