Applied Chemistry
Welcome to the Applied Chemistry Department at the International University, Vietnam National University-HCMC!
The Biochemistry program is designed for students who are interested in the chemistry of life at the molecular level. The Applied Chemistry Department at IU is dedicated to the elucidation of principles of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and particularly the intersection of these principles. In our program, you will study the chemical processes involved in Biomacromolecules and the structural implications on cellular processes. Our Department offers comprehensive programs of study in a variety of subfields of Biochemistry including Biophysical Chemistry, Enzymology, Fermentation Technology, Clinical Biochemistry and Methods in Biochemistry. Biochemistry program also supports the studies of senior students majoring either in Nutrition or Cosmetics by choosing the courses Nutritional Biochemistry, Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition Therapy, Cosmetics, Cosmeceuticals, Nutraceuticals and Drug Development.
Areas of research in the Department include drug design, bio natural products, and human pharmacology. Our academic mission is to foster development of independent learning, thinking, and communication skills by our students and to instill in them and support an enthusiasm to achieve. Our research mission is to generate new knowledge and original concepts related to solving modern scientific problems. The Department will teach students skills in the classroom, laboratories and outside activities to be lifelong learners and promoters of science. Our students will enjoy access to modern instrumentation and research activity.
Thanks for visiting and exploring our website to learn more about the Applied Chemistry Department and email us with questions.
Foundation History
The Department of Applied Chemistry was established in 2014, being one of the five Departments of the School of Biotechnology - International University - National University of Ho Chi Minh City. As a team of lecturers and researchers with high expertise who are postgraduate trained at prestigious universities in the world, Department of Applied Chemistry pioneered the Bachelor of Science major in Biochemistry to provide high quality human resources for society.
Vision
Promoting scientific research including extraction of natural compounds (from traditional herbal and medicinal materials as well as by-products of agricultural production), bio-activity assessment, creating the foundation for development of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products can be applied in practice, also for the purpose of serving the community.
Program Objectives
Biochemistry is a specialized science that studies the nature and structure of matter, physical and chemical properties and changes of matter in human bodies as well as plants and animals. In addition to promoting basic research, the Department has been investing in specialized research:
- Fundamental Biochemistry: general skills in the process of Biochemistry in the human body, animals and plants; research implementation at the basic level.
- Pharmaceutical biochemistry: the basic skills in the process of researching the production and refining of pharmaceutical products, we are able to participate in the inspection and quality assurance of products.
- Nutraceutical: study to identify nutritional ingredients from natural plant sources and apply them to safe nutritional supplements.
- Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals: mastering the knowledge and skills of cosmetic preparation as well as techniques for extracting natural active ingredients combined with cosmetics.
- Nutrition: capable of testing and evaluating nutritional ingredients in food and nutritional counseling for the community.
The PLOs is designed to meet the skills and ability as defined by ABET and referenced to similar programs of prestigious universities in Singapore, United Kingdom, and United States of America. As a result, the PLOs of the BC program include:
a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve biochemistry science problems
f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g) an ability to communicate effectively
h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of science solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
j) a knowledge of contemporary issues
k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Biochemistry Program
Entrance Exam Groups: A00, B00, B08, D07
Program Code: 7440112
Detailed Program: Click Here
All students must take the internship in the junior year after completing at least 90 credits of general and major courses at the University. The internship course is critical for students to apply their knowledge and skills learned from the school in the practical production. The student has to work at manufacturing factories or research institutes providing organizations for a period of 2 months or equivalent to 2 credits. At the beginning of the internship experience, a clear position description released by the organization is related to study fields, educational goals and career aspiration of the students. Each student will be supervised by an academic instructor from the Applied Chemistry department and an onsite supervisor assigned from the organization where the student is doing the internship. During the internship, students will have opportunities to learn and share experience in a real practical environment to improve technical skills as well as apply their knowledge to the job. At the end of the internship, each student must prepare the report, which is first approved from the onsite and academic supervisor, and present the outcome to the assigned Applied Chemistry Committee. The internship grade is evaluated and given by the Committee, onsite and academic supervisor based on the BT school’s criteria.
The thesis is the critical course, which requires for all programs of the school of Biotechnology. This is the last course student must work on to prove the learning outcome of knowledge, scientific writing, and technical skills before graduation. The thesis is a great opportunity for students to perform a project by their own ability. By doing the thesis, students have more opportunities to choose a topic appropriate with their research interest advised by an academic supervisor. There are two timelines for a qualified thesis. First, students need to submit the thesis proposal to the school’s Committee to describe the on-going research. The outcome of the research is then submitted to the school’s Committee to evaluate. In order to complete the thesis, students have two chances to perform the oral presentations (proposal and report of the research) to the thesis Committee. The thesis is then evaluated and given by the thesis Committee, which may include faculty members from other universities.
| Project Name | Project Codes | Principal Investigator | Timeline |
| Investigation of the feasibility of employing air bubble flotation in condensing aqueous natural herb extracts | 06.02-2018.315 | Dr. Nguyen Tan Khoi | 4/2019 - 3/2022 |
| Molecular Interpretation of Immobilized Deoxyribonucleic acid on Solid Substrates by Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy | 106.16-2012.67 (NAFOSTED) | Dr. Nguyen Tan Khoi | 3/2013 - 3/2015 |
| Metal-free synthesis of heterocycles from expansion reaction of heterocyclic compounds by molecular iodine | 104.01-2018.326 (NAFOSTED) | Dr. Le Quang Phong | 2019 - 2022 |
Dr. Hoang Le Son
Head of Applied Chemistry Department
Room A1.705 (028.3724.4270 - Ext 3877)
School of Biotechnology - International University
https://www.facebook.com/Biochemistry.AppliedChemistry
https://bt.hcmiu.edu.vn/about-us-2/depts/biochem/