Course Focus - 18 August 2015

THE STAR, TUESDAY 18 AUGUST 2015

special

Go beyond the ordinary

COURSE FOCUSHEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES

2 course focusTHE STAR, TUESDAY 18 AUGUST 2015

Get immersed in the fundamentalsIF the names Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter are familiar to you, it is very likely that you have watched a few episodes or are a big fan of the American hit comedy series The Big Bang Theory.

But once you look past the humour and endless references to Star Trek and Marvel superheroes, have you ever wondered what Sheldon and Leonard do as theoretical physicists? What are they researching in their university’s laboratories every day?

Though we take them for granted, the world would be totally unrecognisable if not for the discoveries made by researchers and scientists in the fields of physics, biology and chemistry.

Theoretical studies in science have led humanity to not only have a deeper understanding of the world around us, but also to the enhancement of the way we live through the development of modern technology.

If you took science subjects for SPM, O-Levels or its equivalent and your decisions have always been based upon reason, logic and observation, a degree in pure science may be the ideal tertiary course for you as you work your way to becoming the next Albert Einstein or Marie Curie.

Also known as natural, basic or fundamental science, pure science uses information to understand nature and the natural world as well as forms the basis to solving

the world’s current problems.

BiologyBiology represents the study of

structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, systems, relationships and processes of living organisms.

The wide area of study includes zoology (study of animals), human biology, botany (study of plant life) and numerous sub-divisions such as cell biology, evolutionary biology, marine biology, molecular biology, physiology and ecology.

Career options for biology graduates

Studies animals and plants to improve quality and quantity for human consumption Works in the educational field or private agricultural businesses Those working in the government sector research current food supplies and regulate quality and safety

Specialises in the chemical and physical principles of living things Researches the biological processes of cell development, growth and heredity

Expert on animals, studying animal populations, behaviours, genetics and life progression Works in a laboratory-based environment, studying biological aspects of animals, or out in the field such as at wildlife reserves

Agricultural and food scientist

Biochemist or biophysicist

Zoologist

Career options for chemistry graduates

Develops new and improved products, processes and materials based on research on substances

Materials scientist

Studies chemical and physical principals of living organisms and of biological processes such as cell development, growth and heredity

Biochemist or biophysicist

Studies effects of radiation on living things to improve medical treatments Develops new and efficient ways to extract nuclear power

Nuclear chemist

Studies fundamentals in nature, ranging from subatomic particles to contents of outer space Develops new technology, methods and theories based on research results to deepen the understanding of how things work

Physicist

Studies the chemical and physical principles of living things such as cell development, growth and heredity

Biophysicist

Career options for physics graduates

As a biologist, you will design and carry out experiments, make routine observations, write reports and publish scientific papers based on your research.

Reading the works of fellow researchers is also crucial in aiding your understanding of subject matters that are related to your study.

PhysicsPhysics represents the study of

matter, energy and the interaction

between them. The study of motion, force, light

and energy requires high understanding of the laws and behaviours of objects and the universe.

Computer simulations and mathematical modelling techniques are important tools for physicists in theoretical analysis as they develop ideas, make predictions and explain the behaviours of energy.

Those involved in experimental and applied research devise controlled experiments to test how well theories stand up to results.

ChemistryUsing mathematics, theory and

experimentation, chemistry is the study of composition, properties, structure, behaviours and changes of matter.

Studies include how and why substances combine or separate to form new substances and how these substances interact with energy.

In any given industry, but especially within the manufacturing of products, the expertise of chemists is used to uncover the elements of unfamiliar substances and create entirely new chemical compounds.

Why study itStudying pure science does not

necessarily mean that you are bound for a career of research or a lifetime of experiments.

After obtaining your degree, you would have acquired a number of transferable traits and skills that are useful across various industries.

Graduates with a science background possess desirable traits such as resourcefulness, creativity and the ability to make logical decisions based on observation and analysis.

Pure science graduates will also develop communication, organisational and interpersonal skills as the various degrees usually involve working in groups.

“MY degree in aquatic biology allowed me to study environmental sciences and ecosystems of lakes and rivers, the structures and functions of aquatic flora and fauna as well as elements of aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans and aquatic plants).

“The most enjoyable part of my degree was the field trips as we had the opportunity to study the effects of pollution on coastal and marine ecosystems. Seeing these problems up close made the learning process much easier as we were able to apply our knowledge on-site.

“Biology students develop analytical skills with the ability to look at things from a different perspective, a trait that is highly sought after by many employers.

“I have met seniors who are in research institutes, others who have gone into the aquaculture industry such as prawn farms, and even some who have diversified into banking.”

– Quek Yew Aun, 23, Bachelor of Applied Science (Aquatic Biology) graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia

“Practical work allows me to witness the principles of science in action. In the chemistry laboratory, we are able to experiment on theories and simulate cool experiments we see elsewhere.

“The wide field of chemistry allows people to develop a range of new products.

“While research and experiments are part and parcel of chemistry, this does not mean people have to remain in the laboratories as they can also go into the field to test practical applications.”

– Ryan Annasdas, 23, second year student in Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

“My degree in bioscience with chemistry allowed me to enjoy the best of both fields of study and exposed me to a wider range of opportunities, especially now as I pursue my postgraduate studies.

“Having acquired critical thinking skills, graduates are able to utilise their knowledge in industrial research and development, take up sales-related positions and be involved in the development of instrumentation in the biosciences sector.

“It is important for students to take up pure sciences as there is always a need for more research and development in the world.”

– Liew Jian Ping, 25, Bachelor of Science (Bioscience with Chemistry) graduate from Tunku Abdul Rahman University College

Pure sciences, such as biology, can bring you varied career options that take you

out into the field.

Pure science involves understanding nature and the natural world.

What students say

Institutions offering undergraduate optometry courses in Malaysia

University college

Twintech International University College of Technology

Private universities

SEGi University and Colleges UCSI University Management and Science University (MSU)

Hospital-based institution

National Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences (Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital) – Bachelor of Optometry (B.S. Optometry)

Public universities

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

THE human eye is prone to diseases and conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, colour blindness, glaucoma and cataracts, just to name a few.

Left untreated, some of these conditions can greatly affect how people attend to their day-to-day activities such as reading and driving and may even lead to blindness.

Thankfully, with years of tertiary education and clinical training, optometrists and ophthalmologists are able to identify the cause of diseases and prescribe the necessary remedies.

But what is the difference between these professions in terms of the respective job scopes and when do we seek their services?

Ophthalmologists are experts in the field of eyecare and highly trained professionals who are able to provide complete solutions.

As medical doctors, they are qualified to perform complex eye surgeries, which include orbital implants, removal of cataracts and various forms of laser treatments such as Lasik, Lasek or Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).

In addition to surgeries, ophthalmologists are fully licensed to practise medicine, diagnose all eye diseases as well as prescribe eyeglasses and a wide range of drugs.

Optometrists are not medical doctors but they are certified practitioners who conduct sight and vision testing.

They can detect eye abnormalities, diagnose eye diseases, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, prescribe a limited number of medications and determine proper eyeglass frames to fit their customers.

Eyecare expertsThe area of study regarding

eye disorders is extremely wide and this provides the opportunity for ophthalmologists to sub-specialise and focus on particular areas or conditions of

Optometry and ophthalmology


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Course spotlight

the eye. Among the common sub-

specialties are paediatric ophthalmology (eye disorders among infants and children), neuro-ophthalmology (vision problems related to the nervous system) and ocular oncology (tumours of the eyes or eye cancer).

Although students are trained to diagnose eye diseases among patients, graduates who become eyecare professionals can also diversify and apply their knowledge in the ophthalmic industry.

Their expertise will be extremely useful in the development of medical devices such as surgical instruments, contact lenses and eyecare products.

With deeper understanding of the eye, these professionals help manufacturers create a wide range of products to better meet the needs of both surgeons and patients.

Others may even choose to devote their lives to become a researcher to find new eyecare treatments or pursue a career in tertiary education or consultancy.

Professional groomingA number of public and

private universities in Malaysia offer a bachelor’s degree in optometry, which is an honours degree.

These courses are tailored to provide excellent integrated, professional and scientific education and include subjects on healthcare laws and policies, ethics, and economics related to the field of optometry. They are taught by qualified lecturers and academic staff who have years of industry experience.

A few institutions also offer hands-on experience, allowing students to receive clinical training at on-campus clinics and external sites such as optometric practices, refractive surgery centres, private ophthalmologic clinics and eye departments in hospitals.

Career in innovation


Exploration of health scienceSEGi University and Colleges offers top-notch programmes to young individuals who are eager to make a difference upon graduation.

The following programmes are offered at the SEGi University Kota Damansara campus.

MedicineThe five-year Bachelor of

Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme is aimed at nurturing holistic doctors who are skillful and compassionate.

The curriculum was designed to embed moral and ethical values, which are fostered through the implementation of a mentor-mentee system in the programme.

Clinical exposure is introduced as early as in the first year to ensure that students are familiar with basic medical sciences in clinical practice.

SEGi medical students conduct practical and clinical rotations at the Teluk Intan General Hospital and Sibu General Hospital.

DentistrySEGi conducts the five-year

Bachelor of Dental Surgery to produce competent and caring dental practitioners.

Students are involved in clinical procedures from the start of the programme, with an emphasis on the recognition and prevention of oral diseases.

The Faculty of Dentistry at SEGi University regularly provides free dental check-ups to the public at its Oral Health Centre.

PharmacyThe Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)

offered at SEGi is a clinically oriented four-year programme.

Students are introduced to real practice in hospitals, community pharmacies and relevant industries from the first year.

The curriculum ensures that graduates have been exposed to almost every possible work setting and benefit from experiential learning.

Optometry and vision sciences

The four-year Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) programme

SEGi aims to produce world-class professionals in the health science industry.

IUKL’s biotechnology programmes focus on the integration of the basic sciences through an interdisciplinary approach to encourage research and innovation.

MANY do not realise that a career in biotechnology is not limited to conducting research in a laboratory.

Biotechnology graduates can be found in a variety of jobs, from working as scientists in laboratories to functioning as executives in a fast-paced business environment.

At Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL), the Faculty of Applied Science and Foundation Studies offers the Bachelor of Biotechnology (Hons) and Diploma in Biotechnology, which emphasise the integration of the basic sciences through an interdisciplinary approach.

The programmes are aimed at encouraging research, innovation and the preparation of graduates to work in a diverse range of professional practice as scientists.

The Bachelor of Biotechnology (Hons) programme is designed to develop knowledgeable and competent human resources who are equipped with advanced knowledge and extensive hands-on experience in the area of biotechnology.

Students are exposed to techniques, practical skills and issues pertaining to the local and global advancement of biotechnology.

This three-year programme cultivates soft skills and fundamental skills in the areas of management and entrepreneurship, which are essential in students’ future working environments.

The Diploma in Biotechnology programme aims to equip individuals with the skills and know-how in new biological processes of commercial importance in a diverse range of industries.

These include the pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, forensics and

healthcare sectors.Students are exposed to

practical knowledge of the foundational technologies required to work with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins, cells and molecules.

They also gain knowledge of different areas of biotechnology, especially food biotechnology, agro biotechnology and environment biotechnology.

Excellent-rated university

Having been in the education industry for more than 15 years, IUKL has been providing quality education and excellent professional services in various fields.

IUKL was rated as an Excellent (Tier 5) full-fledged university in the 2011 and 2013 MQA Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (Setara). It is among one of the top-ranked universities and the only infrastructure university in Malaysia.

IUKL is committed to providing the best and most affordable education to its students.

Fees at IUKL are reasonable and the Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme, which offers up to 60% off the tuition fee to top achievers, has helped many students successfully complete their programmes.

Various study loans, including PTPTN, Mara and Yayasan Negeri, are also available to qualified students.

Visit IUKL’s Info Day on Sept 12 and 13 from 10am to 4pm. You can enjoy a RM500 rebate when you register on Info Day.

n For more information, call 1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my

provides students with clinical training and strong academic grounding.

Much of the clinical teaching is undertaken at the in-house optometry clinics named SEGi EyeCare.

Students have the opportunity to examine patients at the clinics and pursue an area of interest in greater depth through a final year research/dissertation study.

n For more information, call 03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.segi.edu.my


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From research to remedyIT is thanks to biomedical science that many mysteries of the human body are solved and cures to human diseases are discovered.

Biomedical science is the backbone for medical advancement with a long and fascinating history full of scientific breakthroughs.

For example, in 1538, Andreas Vesalius was one of the first to take the bold step to dissect a human body. He made revolutionary discoveries about human anatomy, blood and the nervous system.

Later, in 1628, William Harvey discovered that blood circulates through the body and identified the heart as the organ responsible for pumping blood.

In the 1840s, scientists discovered that chemicals could be used as anaesthetics, making it possible to perform surgery without the patient feeling pain.

These are just few of the discoveries that have driven the industry forward and improved people’s lives.

Universities have also played a part in this progress. In many cases, higher education institutions have had a significant part in conducting research that has led to pioneering discoveries.

These include the development of test tube fertilisation at the University of California in 1990 and creation of the first durable artificial hip at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1975.

Understanding health through such medical research has been a key endeavour of Newcastle University since 1834.

Its renowned biomedical research has revolutionised healthcare and the treatment of diseases.

In fact, it is the first institution in the United Kingdom to be given permission to pursue stem cells research.

Last year, researchers at Newcastle University made several significant breakthroughs, including the discovery that people born with a rare abnormality in their chromosomes have a 2,700-fold increased risk of developing a rare form of childhood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The findings could result in better treatment for other types of cancer as the abnormalities are common in some types of the illness.

Another group of biomedical scientists at the university identified the seaweeds that are most effective at preventing people from absorbing fat, making the plants a potential

The Biomedical Sciences BSc programme offers students the opportunity to gain exposure to the scientific discoveries behind modern medicine.

food supplement. Prof Reg Jordan, chief

executive officer and provost of Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, says, “Modern medicine is constantly evolving and the role of biomedical science is crucial. It is more exciting than ever to be involved in biomedical science in Asia because the region is on track to become the biggest pharmaceutical market in the world with a number of countries in the region evolving into international powerhouses.”

To meet the ever growing need for talents in the industry, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed Malaysia) offers the Biomedical Sciences BSc programme at its state-of-the-art campus in Nusajaya, Johor.

The course mirrors the highly successful programme offered at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, UK, which confers all the degrees.

The programme consists of two parts – the first comprises two academic years at the NUMed Malaysia campus and the second part comprises a one-year intensive research project in Newcastle University Medical School in the UK.

This gives students the opportunity to gain exposure to the scientific discoveries behind modern medicine and an exciting prospect to shape its future in Asia.

Quality campusNUMed Malaysia, an

international branch campus in Johor, Malaysia, provides undergraduate degrees in medicine (MBBS), the Biomedical Sciences BSc and postgraduate degrees.

The course contents are equivalent to those of Newcastle’s UK-based provision and lead to the same award.

By choosing to study at NUMed Malaysia, students will obtain a reputable UK qualification from an internationally recognised university at a cost significantly less than that of studying in the UK.

The undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees were launched in 2009 and the Biomedical Sciences BSc was launched in 2013. Both programmes offer opportunities for periods of study in the UK.

The September intake is now open for application.

n For more information, visit www.newcastle.edu.my

THE Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS) offered by Quest International University Perak (QIUP) is a highly sought-after medical programme.

Prof Dr Alam Sher Malik, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, says that academic excellence is not the only requirement that the MBBS Screening Committee looks for when selecting students.

The minimum entry requirement set by Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is a CGPA of 3.00 for the Foundation in Science or related programmes. More than 75% of the applicants who apply usually surpass this.

“To become a good doctor, one has to have the right aptitude and attitude,” says Prof Alam.

QIUP’s medical curriculum emphasises soft skills and compassion, which students gain through activities such as early clinical exposure and visits to hospitals and underprivileged communities to perform medical check-ups.

“To be a good doctor, one must learn how to interact with people. Hence, we develop programmes to include activities such as community visits to inculcate values such as compassion and charity in students from their first year,” says Prof Alam.

“Charity is a significant part of the teaching programmes at QIUP. The component involves students participating in community services or volunteering their time for a greater cause. These are part of the curriculum and they aim to inculcate gratefulness, care and kindness in our students.”

Prof Dr Subhada Prasad Pani, deputy dean (pre-clinical) of the Faculty of Medicine and head of the Department of Microbiology at QIUP, points out that the university is equipped with the necessary teaching staff and facilities required to produce the best doctors.

“The MBBS programme is led by highly qualified and experienced academic staff and professors from local and international backgrounds. Students will gain the most out of their expertise and guidance,” says Prof Subhada.

“Our facilities include modern multidisciplinary laboratories, an anatomy and pathology resource centre, anatomy dissection hall, clinical skills laboratory and mock ward, central library with global access to books and journals for medical students, and hospitals

Gain a medical edge


dedicated to teaching.”Datuk Dr Raman Narayanasamy,

deputy dean (clinical) and head of the Department of Psychiatry, stresses that the unique feature of QIUP’s curricula is the theme-based laboratory visits to hospitals.

The laboratories visited include the biochemistry laboratory, microbiology laboratory, pathology laboratory and pharmacy (pharmacology) laboratory. These visits correspond to the modules that students are studying during a certain period of time.

“For example, the visit to the biochemistry laboratory was under the theme diabetes mellitus. Therefore, during their visit, students learnt how a biochemistry laboratory played an important role in the diagnosis and management of diabetes,” says Dr Raman.

“We want to ensure that students understand how basic medical sciences have real-life application in patient management. This facilitates students’ understanding and allows them to put theories into practice.”

The duration of the MBBS course at QIUP is five years. It comprises a two-year pre-clinical curriculum and three-year clinical curriculum.

There are three faculties and two centres at QIUP – Centre for Foundation Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Integrative Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Business Management & Social Sciences and Centre for Graduate Research.

QIUP offers programmes at foundation, diploma, degree and

postgraduate levels. Programmes offered at the

foundation level are in business and sciences while programmes offered at the diploma level include study areas in hotel management, business management, tourism management, information technology and accountancy.

Programmes offered at the degree level are the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biotechnology, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electronics and Communications Engineering, Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) TESL, Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons), Bachelor of Finance (Hons), Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons), Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Hons), Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) Journalism, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) Advertising and the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

At postgraduate level, QIUP offers the PhD in Science, Master of Business Administration and Master of Science programmes.

For quality student life and excellent education, check out the MBBS programme at QIUP.

The September intake is open for registration.

n For more information, call 1800 88 QIUP (7487) or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.qiup.edu.my

Students can find quality health science programmes at Quest International University Perak (QIUP).

Student have access to modern multidisciplinary laboratories.

Benefits of active learning

THE role of pharmacists has evolved over the years and it requires them to play a bigger role now than just dispensing medicine.

To better train and prepare its students as the new generation of pharmacists, the School of Pharmacy at Monash University Malaysia has introduced active-learning elements into its curriculum.

Active learning is a term for curriculum and activities that allow students to learn in an interactive and engaging manner, as opposed to the traditional teaching method where students sit passively in class as the lecturer teaches.

Students get to attend classes that incorporate case studies, scenarios, mind maps, quizzes and videos, among other things, in the learning process.

Dr Vivienne Mak, active-learning coordinator and senior lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, says active learning normally requires students to listen to pre-recorded or articulate lectures at home in their own time before attending classes, allowing them to identify any misconception developed during their self-directed learning process.

“The difference with our pre-recorded learning is that our students watch 15 to 20 minutes of lecture clips, followed by participation in an in-depth discussion on the material,” she says.

“Subsequently, they have to participate in clicker questions, mind mapping, question and answer (Q&A) sessions or case studies and apply what they have learnt in class.”

According to Dr Mak, focus groups involving students who have participated in active-learning programmes showed that many of them benefited from this new teaching method.

“In didactic lectures, students do not get time for Q&A. However, when we have quizzes, it gives them a chance to test their knowledge and skills and be provided with immediate feedback. They also get to observe how others answer the

same question.“All these enable them to assess

themselves without having to wait until midterm or final examinations. If they realise what they have learnt is incorrect, they can go back and revise,” she says.

Dr Mak says the pharmacy profession is becoming more patient-centred and those in the field are required to provide services to their customers in a holistic manner.

“When you are practising, there are no lecture notes to guide you. That is why we need to train our students to think differently and be independent lifelong learners. They will have to learn how to apply their knowledge in different situations,” she says.

Dr Mak says activities such as group discussions and presentations during the active learning sessions help boost students’ confidence to communicate with patients and other health professionals.

“The spirit of teamwork and the ability to communicate with others have become increasingly important as pharmacists nowadays have to work more closely with other health professionals, including doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals,” she says.

Although it may mean more preparatory work for the lecturers, Dr Mak says they have embraced the change in the teaching method as soon as they saw the benefits and positive comments from students.

“This new teaching method helps lecturers to think more about certain topics and issues as students may ask questions that we have not considered before,” says Dr Mak.

“The interaction and engagement with students during the Q&A sessions, debates and discussions give us the encouragement and job satisfaction as lecturers.”

n For more information on the School of Pharmacy at Monash University Malaysia, visit www.pharm.monash.edu.my


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Monash University Malaysia’s School of Pharmacy nurtures a new generation of pharmacists through its active-learning elements in the curriculum.


A golden opportunityTHREE students from the International Medical University (IMU)’s BSc (Hons) in Chinese Medicine programme, Chua Hui Min, Pearly Chua and Lim Chen Sing, had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Shanghai, China, to attend summer school at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHUTCM).

During the visit, the girls visited Longhua Hospital, Yue Yang Hospital and Shu Guang Hospital in Shanghai.

They visited the acupuncture department and one of the clinical wards at Longhua Hospital. At Shu Guang Hospital, they observed how experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctors make a diagnosis as well as perform acupuncture and cupping on a patient.

They also had the opportunity to experience the ancient art of Chinese palpitation, which is one of the diagnostic methods in Chinese medicine, and fill a prescription using ancient Chinese methods.

A visit to Yi Da Herbal Garden gave the three students a unique experience as they were able to see, touch, smell and taste fresh herbs, reminding them of what they have been taught at their Chinese materia medica lectures at IMU.

While in Shanghai, the trio met with an IMU senior and Malaysian exchange students at SHUTCM.

They also had the opportunity to interact with students from other countries, including Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Brazil, the United States and Canada.

Besides expanding their knowledge in Chinese medicine, the three individuals learnt more about Chinese culture, including making Chinese knots, calligraphy and artistic Chinese paper-cutting.

The BSc (Hons) in Chinese Medicine offered by IMU is a four-year programme.

IMU has partnerships with several universities of traditional Chinese medicine in China (SHUTCM, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and RMIT University, Australia.

Students can transfer to one of these partner universities after three years in the

IMU Chinese medicine programme. After an additional two years of study,

graduates will be awarded bachelor’s degrees in Chinese medicine from the respective partner universities.

IMU’s BSc (Hons) in Chinese Medicine programme trains students to systematically study the foundation theory of Chinese medicine, its applied clinical subjects and all the four classic Chinese medical literature. On top of that, students also study western medicine.

They are clinically trained to look at the human body as a whole and prescribe treatments based on the unique syndrome differentiation of Chinese medicine. Through the training, clinical efficacy is achieved while nurturing excellent Chinese medical professionals.

In this programme, clinical attachments are conducted in the fourth year, where students will start off by observing clinical Chinese medicine practitioners at work and then progress to hands-on practice under the supervision of experienced Chinese medicine practitioners.

Through these attachments and a solid foundation in basic medical sciences, students are better prepared to care for patients and become competent Chinese medicine practitioners in modern healthcare facilities.

The commencement for the BSc (Hons) in Chinese Medicine programme is in February and September of each year.

IMU welcomes students with pre-university qualifications to join the programme as a start to a promising, rewarding and challenging future in Chinese medicine practice.

If you have just completed your SPM and do not have pre-university qualification, you can enrol in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science programme – the direct route for entry into any of the university’s local degree programmes.

The September intake is open for application.

n For more information, call 03-2731 7272 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.imu.edu.my

(Clockwise from top left) Chua Hui Min, Pearly Chua and Lim Chen Sing and spent three weeks in Shanghai, China, attending summer school.

Being a veterinarian is a rewarding healthcare profession for animal lovers to pursue.

Healthcare careersTHERE are various careers that one can pursue in the field of healthcare besides the popular choice of being a doctor. Often, students have to complete a specialised degree catered to the career of their choice.

These are just some of the positions that a health student can pursue.

PhysiotherapistA physiotherapist is equipped with the

knowledge and skills to identify a patient’s functional needs and improve a broad range of physical problems associated with different systems of the body.

His or her goal is to improve a person’s quality of life by using various treatments to lessen pain and restore bodily function.

VeterinarianA veterinarian is a licensed doctor who

specialises in treating animals – small or big, wild or domestic or even livestock.

Most veterinarians diagnose animal health problems, vaccinate against diseases, medicate animals suffering from illnesses, treat and dress wounds, set fractures, perform surgery and advise owners about animal feeding, behaviour and breeding.

DentistLike other healthcare jobs, dentistry is a

very rewarding profession. There are many compelling reasons to become a dentist – you get to help patients maintain good oral health and it is a career that allows you to be your own boss by owning a dental practice.

PharmacistPharmacists are your go-to person to get

the best results from medications. A pharmacist answers health-related

questions such as what effect foods, drinks, activities or other drugs could have on medication or what to do about a missed dose.

Exercise therapistRated as the highest among Asian

countries for chronic heart problems and obesity, Malaysia is in need of more exercise therapists. They can formulate an exercise therapy, which is a plan of physical activities designed and prescribed for specific therapeutic goals. There are a variety of workplaces to choose from, including a clinical setting, hospital, physician offices, sports medicine clinics and fitness facilities.

Source: afterschool.my

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Course Focus - 18 August 2015