Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science in Biology

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science in Biology

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science in Biology program is holistically and fundamentally aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by providing a deep and comprehensive understanding of life and living organisms, which is the bedrock of environmental stewardship and human well-being. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing scientific inquiry, research, and the application of biological knowledge to real-world problems, makes it a powerful contributor to the environmental and social dimensions of sustainability. The program's core strength lies in its profound connection to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), with a rich array of courses in ecology, conservation, botany, and zoology. It directly addresses critical issues of human health and food security through studies in microbiology, genetics, and plant science, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Furthermore, the curriculum is a flagship of SDG 4 (Quality Education), drives scientific innovation (SDG 9), and provides the scientific basis for climate action (SDG 13), clean water (SDG 6), and responsible production (SDG 12).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

▶

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to food security by providing foundational knowledge in plant science, genetics, and microbiology. This knowledge is crucial for developing sustainable agricultural practices, improving crop resilience, and enhancing food production systems.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC143301	Plant Physiology	Supports sustainable agriculture by providing an understanding of plant growth and development, which is essential for improving crop yields (Target 2.4).
SC143305	Genetics	Aligns with increasing agricultural productivity by teaching the principles of heredity and variation, which are fundamental to crop and livestock improvement (Target 2.3).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

▶

Alignment Summary: The curriculum directly supports good health by providing a deep understanding of human biology, microbiology, and the mechanisms of disease. This knowledge is essential for public health, medical research, and the development of new treatments for both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC142201	Human Biology	Provides the foundational knowledge of the human body, which is essential for understanding health and disease and supports universal health coverage (Target 3.8).
SC143303	Microbiology	Directly contributes to fighting communicable diseases by studying microorganisms, their roles in disease, and methods for their control (Target 3.3).
SC144512	Parasitology	Aligns with ending the epidemics of water-borne and other communicable diseases by focusing on the study of parasites and the diseases they cause (Target 3.3).

SDG 4: Quality Education

▶

Alignment Summary: As a fundamental science program, the curriculum itself is a vehicle for high-quality education. It is designed to foster scientific literacy, critical thinking, and research skills, equipping students with the knowledge for sustainable development and lifelong learning.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC144891	Seminar	Enhances education for sustainable development by requiring students to research and present on advanced biological topics, fostering the skills for lifelong learning (Target 4.7).
SC144892	Special Project	Provides quality education by enabling students to conduct independent research, applying the scientific method to solve problems and create new knowledge (Target 4.7).
SC000213	Co-operative Education in Science	Increases the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills for employment by providing extensive, hands-on work experience in a scientific setting (Target 4.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

▶

Alignment Summary: The program addresses the protection of water resources through its strong focus on ecology. Courses on aquatic ecosystems provide the scientific basis for understanding, managing, and conserving freshwater resources and protecting them from pollution.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC143402	Ecology	Supports the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems by teaching the principles of how these ecosystems function and respond to disturbances (Target 6.6).
SC144513	Aquatic Biology	Directly contributes to the sustainable management of water resources by focusing on the biology of organisms in freshwater and marine environments, which are key indicators of water quality (Target 6.5).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

▶

Alignment Summary: The program is a driver of scientific innovation, particularly in the field of biotechnology. By providing a strong foundation in genetics, molecular biology, and microbiology, it prepares students to contribute to research and development that can lead to new industrial processes and products.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC144508	Molecular Biology	Enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities by teaching the advanced molecular techniques that are the foundation of the biotechnology industry (Target 9.5).
SC144892	Special Project	Supports scientific research and innovation by training students in the process of discovery and development of new biological knowledge and applications (Target 9.5).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

▶

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable communities through the study of urban ecology and conservation. This knowledge can be applied to create more green spaces, manage urban biodiversity, and make cities more resilient and livable.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC144501	Conservation Biology	Can be applied to urban settings to manage green spaces and protect biodiversity within cities, contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization (Target 11.7).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

▶

Alignment Summary: The curriculum promotes responsible production by providing the scientific foundation for the sustainable use of biological resources. Understanding conservation biology and ecology is key to developing production systems that are in harmony with nature and use resources efficiently.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC144501	Conservation Biology	Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by teaching the principles of conserving biodiversity and using biological resources sustainably (Target 12.2).

SDG 13: Climate Action

▶

Alignment Summary: The program provides the essential scientific knowledge to understand and combat climate change. The study of ecology and evolution is critical for understanding the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity, and for developing strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC143402	Ecology	Improves education and awareness-raising on climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation by teaching how ecosystems are affected by and can influence climate (Target 13.3).
SC143403	Evolution	Provides the long-term perspective needed to understand how species and ecosystems will respond and adapt to climate change, strengthening resilience (Target 13.1).

SDG 14: Life Below Water

▶

Alignment Summary: This program is central to the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems. Through specialized courses in aquatic biology, it provides the fundamental knowledge required to manage, conserve, and restore marine and freshwater life and to mitigate the impacts of pollution.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC144513	Aquatic Biology	Directly supports the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources by studying the organisms and ecosystems found in aquatic environments (Target 14.2).
SC144501	Conservation Biology	Applies conservation principles to aquatic ecosystems to protect threatened species and habitats, contributing to the sustainable management of marine resources (Target 14.5).

SDG 15: Life On Land

▶

Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally aligned with protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. It provides the core scientific knowledge through courses in ecology, botany, zoology, and conservation biology, which are all essential for halting biodiversity loss and land degradation.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC143402	Ecology	Is fundamental to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services (Target 15.1).
SC144501	Conservation Biology	Directly focuses on taking urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species (Target 15.5).
SC142104	Botany	Provides the foundational knowledge of plant diversity and function, which is essential for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.1).
SC142105	Zoology	Provides the foundational knowledge of animal diversity and function, crucial for understanding and protecting terrestrial biodiversity (Target 15.5).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

▶

Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education and research projects, which create a vital bridge between the university, research institutions, and organizations in the environmental and biotechnology sectors. This collaboration is essential for sharing knowledge and technology to achieve the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
SC000213	Co-operative Education in Science	Directly encourages and promotes effective public-private and civil society partnerships by immersing students in real-world scientific organizations (Target 17.17).
SC144892	Special Project	Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by contributing new, publicly accessible scientific knowledge and often involves collaboration with other researchers and institutions (Target 17.6).