International Undergraduate Program (IUP) in Biology
Depok, Indonesia
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The IUP in Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), established 2019, is English-taught and covers biotechnology, biodiversity, molecular and synthetic biology, bioinformatics, nanobiology, biomaterials and bioentrepreneurship. It offers Double Degree (2+2) links with ANU, Leeds and WSU, exchanges and an annual International Summer Course. You’ll learn through fieldwork, lab research and community service with practical cases like intertidal sampling.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter biotech, biomedical, pharmaceutical, mining, environmental consulting, bioinformatics, startups, government, agriculture and forestry, NGOs and food and beverage. Roles include research scientist, biologist, ecologist, biotechnologist, forensic scientist, microbiologist, nanotechnologist, lab technician, bioentrepreneur, lecturer, data analyst and consultant.
The International Undergraduate Program (IUP) in Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), established in 2019, offers a comprehensive education integrating local and global perspectives. The IUP Biology program provides a solid foundation in biological sciences, covering biotechnology, biodiversity, growth and development biology, cell and molecular biology, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, nanobiology, biomaterials, bioprospecting, microbial biology, environmental biology, and bioentrepreneurship. A unique feature of the IUP Biology program is its international exposure. Conducted in English, the program prepares students for global careers.
The faculty supports Double Degree (2+2) programs with the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Leeds, and Western Sydney University (WSU). There are also student exchanges with the University of Groningen (UG), James Cook University (JCU), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), and Chiba University. The International Summer Course, held annually in July-August, collaborates with Chiba University, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), UTHM, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), WSU, Kasetsart University, and Yamagata University. Activities include lectures and field case studies like Intertidal Sampling at Porok Beach, Bird Watching at Jatimulyo, and Cultural and Biodiversity Observation at Sojiwan Temple. Additionally, there is the Sakura Science Program (Short Mobility) with Yamagata University.
The IUP Biology program emphasizes experiential learning through field studies, laboratory research, and community service projects, fostering practical skills and social responsibility.
Compulsory Courses
1st Semester
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- General Biology
- Geomorphology
- Pancasila
- English
2nd Semester
- Biostatistics
- Plant Structure and Development
- Animal Structure and Development
- Civic
- Religion
- Biochemistry
- Bio-entrepreneurship
3rd Semester
- Plant Systematics
- Animal Systematics
- Technical Biochemistry
- Scientific Method and Research Design
- Genetics
- Environmental Science
4th Semester
- Ecology
- Plant Physiology
- Animal Physiology
- Microbiology
- Scientific Writing
- Bioinformatics
- Philosophy of Science
Major in Functional Biology and Development
5th Semester
- Plant Ecophysiology
- Animal Ecophysiology
- Seminar*
- Internship
- Plant Microtechnique
- Animal Microtechnique
- Paleontology
6th Semester
- Community Service**
- Extracurricular***
7th Semester
- Extracurricular***
- Thesis****
- as thesis proposal seminar; **should be taken during inter-semester time; ***Could be taken as 0-2 credits each for two semesters or 0-4 credits at one semester; ****Could start to be taken at semester VI as long as all the requirements were met.
Major in Environmental Biology and Biodiversity
5th Semester
- Microbial Systematics
- Microbial Diversity
- Seminar*
- Internship
- Paleontology
6th Semester
- Community Service**
- Biogeography
- Plant Biosystematics
- Animal Biosystematics
- Extracurricular***
7th Semester
- Extracurricular***
- Thesis****
* as thesis’ proposal seminar; **should be taken during inter-semester time; ***Could be taken as 0-2 credits each for two semesters or 0-4 credits at one semester; ****Could start to be taken at semester VI as long as all the requirements were met.
Major in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
5th Semester
- Biology Cell and Molecular
- Population Genetics
- Seminar*
- Internship
- Paleontology and Evolution
6th Semester
- Community Service**
- Biotechnology
- Extracurricular***
7th Semester
- Extracurricular***
- Thesis****
* as thesis’ proposal seminar; **should be taken during inter-semester time; ***Could be taken as 0-2 credits each for two semesters or 0-4 credits at one semester; ****Could start to be taken at semester VI as long as all the requirements were met.
UP Biology is an inseparable part of the Undergraduate Program of Biology, Faculty of Biology UGM. In compliance with the Indonesian Quality Framework and the Decree of the Minister of Education No. 045 / U / 2002, IUP Biology courses contain five elements of competence as follows:
- Personality Development: The competence of study materials and lessons for the development of Indonesians who hold strong faith and devotion to God Almighty. The students are expected to have noble character, excellent personality, independence, and a sense of civic responsibility and nationality
- Knowledge and Skills: The competence of study materials and lessons is intended primarily to provide a foundation of knowledge and mastery of certain skills
- Working Skill: The competence of study materials and lessons aims at producing experts with workmanship based on the knowledge and skills acquired
- Working Behavior: The competence of study materials and lessons aims at shaping the attitudes and behaviours needed in working based on the knowledge and skills mastered
- Social Life: The competence of study materials and lessons is necessary for someone to be able to understand the rules prevailing in society in accordance with the choice of expertise in working
The outcome of the International Undergraduate Program is formulated in accordance with the University as well as the Faculty's visions and missions. The outcome of the program is to produce:
- Graduates with a comprehensive scientific education in all biology disciplines
- Graduates with the ability to pursue any career path in biology, particularly in Tropical Biology
- Graduates with leadership and management skills to provide solutions to Tropical Biology problems
- Graduates who embrace humanity, morality, and ethics as a base for scientific activities, as well as research, publication, and daily conduct
- Graduates with high competitiveness, intellectual and practical understanding of good science in Tropical Biology to pursue study in Biology and related fields at the graduate level
In order to achieve the aforementioned IUP Biology outcomes effectively, the values are elaborated into more specific attainable outcomes in IUP Learning Outcomes (IUP-LO). The IUP-LO contains the details of the expected Skills (S), Knowledge (K), and Competency (C) of each student and graduate in IUP. The IUP-LO are:
- The students will have the ability to apply what they have learned in Biology. (K, S)
- The students will be able to demonstrate skills and knowledge of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Tropical Biology. (S)
- The students will be able to demonstrate skills and knowledge of Structural and Functional Biology in Tropical Biology. (S)
- The students will be able to demonstrate skills and knowledge of Environmental Biology and Biodiversity in Tropical Biology. (S)
- The students will be able to design and conduct biological research both individually or in a team, and then analyze as well as interpret the data and form conclusions based on it. (S, C)
- The students will be able to identify problems, including safety and environmental issues related to Tropical Biology, and develop scientifically sound solutions to them. (C)
- The students will understand the importance of professional and ethical responsibility and a commitment to applying these ethical principles in their research or daily conduct. (K)
- The students will be able to communicate and express a fundamental scientific opinion effectively, in both oral and written formats. (S)
- The students will acquire an appreciation for self-improvement and lifelong learning, and the ability to identify avenues for improvement. (C)
- The students will understand the scientific method, scientific rigour, and the importance of good science. (K)
- The students will acquire an appreciation for all biological disciplines and fundamental biology-relevant knowledge of mathematics and the natural sciences. (K)
Career prospects for IUP graduates include roles in biotech, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries; mining; environmental consulting; bioinformatics and big data analysis; start-ups; government; agriculture and forestry; NGOs; and the food and beverage industry.
- Research scientist
- Biologist
- Ecologist
- Nature conservation officer
- Biotechnologist
- Forensic scientist
- Government agency roles
- Science writer
- Teacher
- Bioentrepreneur
- Higher education lecturer
- Marine biologist
- Microbiologist
- Nanotechnologist
- Scientific laboratory technician
- Soil scientist
- Teaching laboratory technician
- Mining Industries
- Bioinformatic
- NGO National and Global
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Consultants
- Big data analyst
- Start-up Companies
- Government Sector
- Food & Beverage Industries
