A. Curriculum Composition of the Biology Study Program
The curriculum of the Biology Study Program within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is designed based on national higher education standards, ensuring that students acquire comprehensive competencies covering fundamental knowledge, theoretical understanding, and practical laboratory skills. The curriculum also emphasizes both depth and breadth of competencies aligned with academic and professional needs in the field of biology.
The Biology Study Program consists of five main categories of courses that structure the curriculum, namely:
(1) University General Compulsory Courses,
(2) Faculty General Courses,
(3) Compulsory Courses,
(4) Elective Courses, and
(5) Practicum Courses.
University General Compulsory Courses (MKWU) are a fundamental component of the curriculum that must be taken by all students of the Biology Study Program (S1/Undergraduate), Universitas Syiah Kuala. These courses play an essential role in shaping students’ character, national insight, and basic academic competencies. The MKWU curriculum is designed to instill values of faith, morality, citizenship, humanity, and environmental awareness as an integral foundation for the development of scientific knowledge and personal integrity.
In total, there are Nine (9) general compulsory courses offered in the Biology Study Program:
- Civic Education
- Disaster and Environmental Studies
- Character Development 1
- Character Development 2
- Pancasila
- Indonesian Language
- English Language
- Religious Education
- Community Service Program (KKN)
The implementation of MKWU aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental values of nationhood, effective academic communication skills in both Indonesian and English, and a strong sense of social responsibility and academic ethics. Through the implementation of these courses, graduates of the Biology Study Program are expected to excel not only in scientific knowledge and laboratory skills but also in integrity, social awareness, and responsibility as academically grounded and ethically driven citizens
B. Total Study Load
At the undergraduate level (Bachelor’s degree/S1), students are required to complete a minimum of 144 credits (SKS) to fulfill graduation requirements. This study load consists of a combination of theory courses, practicum courses, elective courses, and academic activities such as Community Service (KKN) and the final thesis.
At the graduate level (Master’s degree/S2), students are required to complete a minimum of 54 credits (SKS) in accordance with the faculty’s academic regulations.
In accordance with international academic standards, the Biology Study Program also applies an equivalent conversion to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The conversion rate used is:
- 1 SKS = 1.67 ECTS
This equivalence allows students’ academic achievements to be recognized and aligned with global credit systems, especially for purposes of student mobility, international collaboration, and academic exchange programs.
In general:
- Undergraduate (S1) courses carry 2–3 credits, with several elective courses carrying 1 credit.
- Master’s (S2) courses carry 2 credits for both compulsory and elective courses.
- Practicum courses at both academic levels commonly carry 1 credit
C. Course Numbering System
The Biology Study Program applies a course numbering system that indicates the category, academic level, and semester of offering. The codes are structured as follows:
Undergraduate Level (S1)
- MKWU → University General Courses
- SMPA → Faculty General Courses
- SMBI10–SMBI30 → Compulsory Program Courses
- SMBI60 → Elective Program Courses
Master’s Level (S2)
- MMPA → Faculty General Courses
- MMBI10–MMBI20 → Compulsory Program Courses
- MMBI60 → Elective Program Courses
The semester offering is indicated by the last two digits of the course code:
- 01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 11, etc. → courses offered in odd semesters
- 00, 02, 04, 06, 08, 10, 12, etc. → courses offered in even semester
D. Examples of Course Code Interpretation
Undergraduate Level (S1)
- MKWU1004 – English (University General Course)
- SMPA1001 – Introduction to Calculus → code ending in 01 indicates an odd-semester course
- SMBI1010 – Genetics → code ending in 10 indicates an even-semester course
- SMBI3031 – Evolution Biology → code ending in 31 indicates an odd-semester course
- SMBI6052 – Entomology → prefix 6 indicates an elective course
Master’s Level (S2)
- MMBI1003 – Bioethics → compulsory course, odd semester
- MMBI1002 – Molecular Biology → compulsory course, even semester
- MMBI6006 – Agroforestry → prefix 6 indicates an elective course
E. Fields of Interest / Concentrations
To support in-depth academic development according to students’ interests, the Biology Study Program provides the following areas of concentration:
Undergraduate Level (S1) – 5 Concentrations
- Animal Ecology and Biodiversity
- Plant Ecology and Biodiversity
- Animal Physiology and Development
- Plant Physiology and Development
- Microbiology
Master’s Level (S2) – 3 Concentrations
- Botany
- Zoology
- Microbiology
These concentrations are structured to enable students to pursue academic pathways that align with their research interests or future professional careers.
F. Special Rules and Exceptions
Several special provisions apply within the Biology Study Program, as follows:
- Community Service (KKN) at the undergraduate level can be taken after students complete a minimum of 100 credits (SKS).
- Certain courses may be offered in either odd or even semesters, depending on the program’s academic policy.
- Practicum courses and courses with prerequisite status must be taken to ensure smooth academic progress.
For Bachelor’s Program (S1):
- SMPAP002 – Undergraduate Final Project Proposal, offered in both odd and even semesters.
- SMPAPA01 – Final Project, offered in both odd and even semesters
For Master’s Program (S2):
- MMPAP001 – Thesis Proposal, offered in both odd and even semesters.
- MMPAPA01 – Thesis, offered in both odd and even semesters.