Chairperson:
| Kambris, Zakaria S. |
Professors: | Bariche, Michel J.; Baydoun, Elias H.;
Gali-Muhtasib, Hala U.; Knio, Khouzama
M.; Kreydiyyeh, Sawsan I.; Osta, Mike A.;
Saoud, Imad P.; Smith, Colin A.; Talhouk,
Rabih S. |
Associate Professors: | Ghanem, Noel D.; Jaalouk, Diana E.;
Kambris, Zakaria S. |
Assistant Professors: | Sadek, Riyad A. |
Lecturers: | Rizkallah, Hind D.; Sinno-Saoud, Nada |
Instructors: | Hajjar, Layane A.M.; Al-Zein, Mohammad S. |
Adjunct Faculty: | Dohna, Heinrich; Parker, Bruce; Skinner,
Margaret |
MS in Biology
The Master’s program in Biology aims at providing students with a good foundation in biological sciences and training them to conduct scientific investigations. Students are expected to
acquire technical skills needed to answer scientific questions through hypothesis-driven research work. This is achieved through engaging them in hands-on activities at the bench and
in the field, in addition to analyzing generated and existing biological data. The program also
fosters analytical and critical thinking, and trains students on the use of appropriate scientific
language and oral and written communication skills necessary for proper dissemination of
scientific information.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants for graduate work. Requirements for an MS degree in biology consist of a minimum of 21 credit hours in biology
courses numbered 300 or above and a 9-credit thesis.
The following courses are core courses and should be taken by all master’s students:
BIOL 310 (3 cr.), BIOL 315 (3 cr.) and BIOL 393 (1 cr.)
Unless otherwise stated, only senior undergraduate biology majors with an average of 3.3 or
above can register in biology graduate courses with the consent of the instructor.
PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology
Mission Statement
The doctoral program in Cell and Molecular Biology aims to provide the best training to
students for their careers as research scientists in Cell and Molecular Biology. It provides
students with the opportunity to develop their capacity for scholarly and independent work,
critical analytical thinking, and the ability to communicate knowledge and ideas. It is intended to produce scientists who will make significant, original contributions to the biological
sciences. The program exposes students to theoretical foundations and practical training
in current laboratory techniques. It serves the AUB mission by providing Lebanon and the
region with qualified researchers and preparing students for careers in research, teaching,
and public service.
Admission Requirements
The PhD program is a five-year program. Admission to the program will be on a competitive
basis. To be eligible for admission, applicants should have a good academic record, demonstrate genuine interest in Cell and Molecular Biology research and must:
- hold a bachelor’s (BS) or master’s (MS) degree in biological sciences or related fields
from a recognized institution,
- present three letters of recommendation from previous tutors or employers,
- submit scores from the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This exam is required of both BS and MS holders,
- meet Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE),
- present a statement of purpose,
- be interviewed by a select group of department faculty members (who may require the student to give a seminar presentation),
- and be recommended for admission by the Biology Department.
Program Requirements
The program requirements for BS holders consist of a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate level coursework and a minimum of 42 credit hours of thesis work. The requirements for
MS holders are a minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate level coursework in addition to 30
credit hours of thesis work.
Upon admission into the program, each student will be assisted by the department head
who will act as an academic advisor and help the student in the selection of courses. Each
student’s course of study is designed individually in light of her/his interests and career goals.
All duties of the head are transferred to the thesis advisor once selected.
The program incorporates the existing master’s program and consists of core courses that
address basic principles of cell and protein function, gene expression, bioinformatics and
biostatistics.
Required Core Courses
All students are required to take the following six core courses and the seminar (plus tutorial if applicable):
- BIOL 310 Biostatistics 3 cr.
- BIOL 315 Research Methods in Biology 3 cr.
- BIOL 322 Advanced Biochemistry 3 cr.
- BIOL 330 Molecular Genetics 3 cr.
- BIOL 332 Advanced Cell Biology 3 cr.
- BIOL 370 Bioinformatics 3 cr.
- BIOL 491 CMBL Tutorial (required only by students holding a BS) 2 or 3 cr.
- BIOL 493 CMBL Seminar 1 cr.
If these courses have already been taken as part of the master’s program, they may be replaced by others upon departmental approval to complete the 18-credit requirement.
Elective Courses
Elective courses are taken to meet the credit requirements and emphasize the student’s
research work and field of specialty. These courses may be chosen from the Biology Department, graduate course offerings or from course offerings of other departments that fall within
the student’s field of interest and scope of the program.
Laboratory Rotations
During the first year of study, students may take the laboratory rotation course (BIOL 494),
conducting research in two different faculty laboratories within the Biology Department or
the university. The department considers exposure to different research environments an
essential part of training. Students entering with only a BS must also register for an additional
2- or 3-credit laboratory tutorial in their first year.
Seminars
Students are required to attend and participate in seminars and journal clubs every term.
Academic credit (1 credit) will be received only once during the first year. Subsequent terms
will not be credited. Graded: Pass/No Pass (or Fail).
PhD Thesis Committee
Refer to PhD Thesis Committee (refer to the General University Academic Information section
of this catalogue).
PhD Qualification Exams Part I and Part II
Refer to PhD Qualification Exam under the General University Academic Information section
of this catalogue.
Candidacy and Residency
Refer to General University Academic Information, Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy section that has clearly defined candidacy and residency requirements.
PhD Thesis and Thesis Defense
Refer to PhD Thesis Format and PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic
Information section of this catalogue.
Residence Requirements
For Residence Requirements, refer to Residence Requirements under the General University
Academic Information section of this catalogue.
Graduation Requirements
The following is a list of graduation requirements:
- completion and successful defense of a thesis
- teaching experience (theory or lab) equivalent to a 3-credit course at minimum
- yearly presentation, during candidacy, of research progress to the department
- acceptance or publication of at least two internationally refereed papers or one
internationally refereed paper and one internationally refereed abstract or proceeding
In all other respects, the graduation requirements set forth in the catalogue for the PhD
program will apply
Financial Support
The department offers, on a selective basis, substantial support which fully covers tuition
and includes a monthly stipend. There are also some funds available to support participation in international conferences; these funds are awarded on a competitive basis. In return,
students are expected to help in teaching undergraduate labs, with presentations of introductory courses, and in proctoring and correcting exams.
Course Descriptions
Sample Student Programs of Study
BS holder working for MS (21 cr.) | BS holder working for PhD (36 cr.) |
First term | First term |
BIOL 315
| 3 cr.
| BIOL 315
| 3 cr.
|
BIOL elective | 3 cr. | BIOL 330 | 3 cr. |
BIOL 393 | 1 cr. | BIOL 494 | 3 cr. |
BIOL 391A | 2 cr. | BIOL 493 | 0 cr. |
| 9 cr. | | 9 cr. |
|
Second term
|
Second term
|
BIOL 310 | 3 cr.
| BIOL 310 | 3 cr.
|
BIOL elective | 3 cr. | BIOL 332 | 3 cr. |
BIOL elective | 3 cr. | BIOL 491 | 2 cr. |
| | BIOL 493 | 1 cr. |
| 9 cr. | | 9 cr. |
Third term
|
Third term
|
BIOL elective | 3 cr. | BIOL 370 | 3 cr.
|
| | BIOL 322 | 3 cr. |
| | BIOL elective | 3 cr. |
| | BIOL 493A | 0 cr. |
| 3 cr. | |
9 cr. |
Fourth term |
Fourth term |
| | BIOL elective
| 3 cr. |
| | BIOL elective | 3 cr. |
| | BIOL elective | 3 cr. |
| | BIOL 493A | 0 cr. |
AUB MS holder working for PhD (18 cr.) |
Non-AUB MS holder working for PhD (22 cr.) |
First term
|
First term
|
BIOL 330 | 3 cr.
| BIOL 310 | 3 cr.
|
BIOL 332 | 3 cr. | BIOL 493 | 1 cr. |
BIOL 494 | 3 cr. | BIOL 494 | 3 cr. |
BIOL 493 | 0 cr. | | |
| 9 cr. | | 7 cr. |
Second term
|
Second term
|
BIOL 322 | 3 cr.
| BIOL 315 | 3 cr.
|
BIOL 370 | 3 cr. | BIOL 322 | 3 cr. |
BIOL 493 | 1 cr. | BIOL 370 | 3 cr. |
Elective | 2 or 3 cr. | BIOL 493A | 0 cr. |
|
9 or 10 cr. | |
9 cr. |
|
Third term |
Third term
|
| | BIOL 330 | 3 cr.
|
| | BIOL 332 | 3 cr. |
| | BIOL 493A | 0 cr. |