History and Overview
The College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, NCKU was established in 2005 in response to rapid progresses in Bioscience and biotechnology. Distinguished Prof. Wen-Chang Chang at Institute of Pharmacology, also an Academician of Acedamia Sinca, was appointed as the founding Dean. Biotechnology has become one of the major focuses for the government to develop high-tech industry in the 21st century. The college includes one undergraduate department and five graduate institutes that work closely with one another and also collaborate with different disciplines include medicine, science and technology, engineering, computer science, business management, and environmental and social sciences within the university. The interdisciplinary affords enable the development of outstanding research teams in biomedical research, plant biotechnology, aquatic sciences, evolutionary and systematic biology, and ecological and environmental sciences. The college also strengthens collaborative ties with Academia Sinica Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Tainan Science and Industrial Park, and Taiwan Orchid Plantation in teaching, training, and research. The mutual cooperation among research institutes and universities nationally and internationally also allows us to enjoy the benefits of an active scientific community and access to advanced facilities for life sciences researches. All these will benefit the college in research accomplishment and gains international recognition. Ultimately, this would profit the university in international competitiveness and become the world’s top universities.
Organization
The College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, NCKU includes one undergraduate department (Dept. of Life Sciences) and five graduate institutes (Institute of Life sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Biodiversity, Institute of Bioinformatics and Biosignal Transduction, and Institute of Tropical Plant Sciences). The College also host three research centers (Research Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Marine Life and Cetaceans Studies and Orchid Research Centre). The College currently has 36 full time faculty members include 9 full professors, 8 associate professors, 14 assistant professors, 1 lecturer and 4 project assistant professors. The undergraduate department recruits ~ 50 new students annually. Currently, we have ~ 200 undergraduate students, 113 students in the master programs and 89 in Ph.D. programs.
Teaching
The education purpose of the College of Bioscience and Biotechnology lays emphasis on teaching students not only with basic and advanced knowledge in life sciences and biotechnology, but also training students becoming competent and skillful manpower. The undergraduate program aims to train our students with multidisciplinary aspect of Life sciences include molecular biology, genomics, genetics, biochemical sciences, cell biology, neurobiology, systematic biology, biotechnology, and ecological studies. We also offer courses in personal development that help students to integrate self-awareness, improve self-motivation and develop individual competencies. The graduate program offers a qualification of the high academic standard, and provides students an opportunity to perform original research in team work spirit. The Dept. of Life Sciences recruits ~ 50 new students annually having total ~ 200 undergraduate students. There are ~ 200 graduate students enrolled for five graduate institutes. The ratios between undergraduate and graduate students and MsC and Ph.D. students are 1:1 that qualified the college as research College. Our education goals and core competencies include:
Education goals:
1. Educate students with proficient qualifications in Bioscience and biotechnology.
2. Train students having teamwork spirit with independent and innovative thinking and caring for society in public good.
3. Train students possess international perspective and international competitiveness.
Core competencies:
1. Able to apply knowledge-based technology.
2. Competence in independent thinking and judgment.
3. Skills in effective communication and problem solving.
4. Capable of multi-discipline knowledge integration and innovation.
5. Possesses teamwork spirit and leadership.
6. Aware latest trends and developments in scientific research.
7. Concern any social and environmental issues derive from application and development of biotechnology.