Faculty of Natural Science & Sustainability

Sustainable natural resource management can be defined as a set of principles and practices that organize and trade-off the use of resources for human consumption in a manner that does not compromise the ability of the managed environment to provide other essential services. Students will learn about various sustainable management standards that are currently used in industry that manage natural resources such as FSC, PEFC, and RSPO. In addition, this course will expose students on the sustainable management being practiced in the field through fieldwork to relevant companies.

CODE: SRC3163

NAME: NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The course content includes a theoretical framework, a description of field techniques, and a discussion of wildlife and human diseases including influenza (swine flu, bird flu), dengue, malaria, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, HIV, Chikungunya, tuberculosis, chytridiomycosis, Ebola, sudden oak death, and many others.

CODE: SRC3203

NAME: ECOLOGY OF HEALTH AND DISEASE

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Student will learn about infectious disease of human, animals and plant.
• Exposed the student to the vector and parasite that caused disease.
• Lab technique in identification of pathogen
• Management of infectious disease

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS:

• Communications skills
• Lab practical skills
• Scientific skills
• Problem solving skills

The new theories and techniques acquired allow evolutionary biologists to address questions related to address questions in a wide variety of research areas, including conservation genetics, population genetics, ecological genetics, and phylogeography. Not only will students gain experience working with tools that molecular ecology employs, but they will also marvel at the stories natural history, diversity, and phylogenetic trees can tell.

CODE: SRC4233

NAME: Molecular Ecology and Conservation Genetics

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Learn the latest molecular techniques being used to solve age-old taxonomic problems.
• Apply the theory in practical sessions designed to develop transferrable skills
• Gain a better understanding on what factors affect ecological diversity, and thus how to protect
it

TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS:
• Practical molecular and phylogenetic analytical skills
• Scientific writing and comprehension

It focuses on helping students to understand how to utilise modern tools and techniques, as well as developing practices in perpetual application of various ecological and biological theories into wildlife management and conservation. Interesting topics such as population monitoring, developing wildlife management plan, wildlife photography, conservation educational program, managing human-wildlife conflicts and legislation related to wildlife.

CODE: SRC4253

NAME: WILDLIFE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

This course provide an overview of the history, current requirements, and emerging policy issues associated with environmental laws and institutions at the Malaysian, and international levels. It also examines the role of judicial decisions in environmental policy. On the state and national levels, specifically Sabah and Malaysian laws and institutions are covered for: the public trust doctrine, environmental impact assessment, pollution control, water resources, fish and wildlife, wetlands, and climate change. On a global scale, the course reviews related environmental treaties in relation with Malaysian legislation. Students will be able to gain experience in policy making processes and interact with environmental lawyers.

CODE: SRC4282

NAME: ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY

They will also be introduced to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and herbarium management system. Plant taxonomical systems will be covered so that student will understand the taxonomical concepts which applied in dendrology. Practical on how to use flora checklist and other flora and wood classification, plant habitats, key identification, botanical indicators and collection of herbarium specimens will be presented. This will be supported through practical experience in relevant reference points such as Sandakan Herbarium and also in forest reserve where the students can apply what they have learned.

CODE: SRC3039

NAME: FLORA OF MALAYSIA

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Field techniques in flora research
• Emphasizes key identification
• Lab technique in making a plant specimen/herbarium
• Apply the theory in practical sessions designed to develop transferable skills

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS:
• Field techniques skills
• Lab practical skills
• Scientific skills