Department of Biomedical Sciences
About Us
The Department of Biomedical Sciences at Chung Shan Medical University was Established in 1997 from realizing the significance of life science in post-genomic era and training for future basic science researchers with biomedical background. It has since developed and expanded rapidly as one of the first of its kind amongst universities in Taiwan. The department offers a four-year bachelor’s degree and a two-year master of science degree as well as a five-year-BS-to-MS program that allows studying only 5 years for the two degrees (a B.S. and an M.S.). Currently, we have over 370 undergraduate and graduate students and 15 faculty members with PhD degrees from the most prodigious schools in Taiwan, United States, and United Kingdom. Our graduates enjoy a virtually 100% placement rate either going on with the advanced graduate study or working in the biotechnology or the related industries.
Academics
The curriculum of the Department offers students with core lecture courses of genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics, developmental biology, neurobiology, protein chemistry, cancer biology, biotechnology, and so forth with emphasizing not only in principle but also the trend of forefront technology. In addition, to strengthen students’ knowledge of basic biomedical sciences, we acquire academic supports from other clinical-orientated fields in the campus. The faculty members in medical school of Chung Shan Medical University support us in the area of human biology, physiology, anatomy, histology, biostatistics, microbiology, and immunology. Innovative courses for students across the University provide foundational knowledge in the sciences and medicine emphasizing multidisciplinary connections. To strengthen students’ skill in practical work, courses such as molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology are taught both in lectures and laboratory practices. To enable students acquiring the immediately working abilities required in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, the “Mini-Program of Talent Cultivation in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry” has been established since 2017, in which training courses provided by the lectures from industry or industry cooperation or accreditation agencies are offered. An internship in the biomedical industry companies for at least four weeks is offered to students who are oriented toward employment in the biomedical industry after graduation. Moreover, the Department provides a unique course of literature discussion in groups for each semester in four years of study that allows students developing capability on reading, skill in presentation, and above all critical thinking that is essential for sound research. We also offer the course “Seminar in English” in which students can incorporate their scientific knowledge and training into journal reading and presentation in all English environments. Students are strongly encouraged to write in English, think in English, and speak in English.
Activity
Our faculty members aim to provide stimulating and interactive environment to attract young students taking part in research. In the Department, special research project courses designed for serious research-orient studies have been much appreciated. Students have opportunity to participate in research projects advised by faculty members. Without a doubt many students have engaged in research work in their junior year of study, most of who have chosen to take the research course each semester and have continued to the final year of study with fruitful outcomes such as being attendees of science conference and authors of research manuscripts in peer-viewed journals. Recognized by its outstanding research and teaching, the Department has continuously been funded by the Ministry of Education for the improvement of teaching in biotechnology with a sum of several million New Taiwan dollars per year since 2002.
Faculty profile
The faculty members have been funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Education, and other public or private sectors with an annual total expenditure of more than a couple of million New Taiwan dollars for outstanding research and teaching. The profile of individual faculty members can be referred to their personal link.
Research
A range of research projects are currently undertaken in the department including but not limited to the fundamental and medicinal aspects of cancer cell biology, molecular and structural biology, molecular genetics, developmental biology, cytogenetics and human genetics, neuroscience, DNA damage and repair, redox biology, immunoassay and food toxicology, signal transduction, molecular reproduction, bioinformatics, protein chemistry and proteomics, and yeast genetics and biotechnology. The research interest of each faculty members should be able to learn on their personal link.