Introduction

The Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) was the second of the Faculties to be set up at AIMST. It has set its goals to promote cutting-edge multidisciplinary programmes in which are infused the elements of innovativeness and technopreneurship designed to enhance market competitiveness.

Currently, the Faculty has one department, the Department of Biotechnology. Under this department, FAS offers its own three-year degree programme with honors i.e. BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology (BT). In addition to BSc course, Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biotechnology (by research) are also offered by FAS through Department of Biotechnology. Postgraduate programs are becoming popular among the students and student number is increasing in every year.

Academic staff in the Faculty includes not only highly experienced academics, but also well-trained younger staffs, who have been recruited from various local and overseas universities as well as industry. The teaching and research programmes also draw upon expertise from other Faculties, especially the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering & Computer Technology. In turn, FAS staffs offer their services to other Faculties. Senior staff continues to maintain active research links with their previous institutions.

High-end computing facilities essential to quality study and breakthrough scientific research are well supported both at the University and at the departmental level. Some postgraduate specialist centers or laboratories are well in place [e.g. the Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory (AMBL)]; while other programs are in the pipeline, such as establishing a new ‘Bioinfo rm atics Centre'.