- Degree: Bachelor
- Campus: Beirut, Debbieh, Tripoli
- Faculty: Science
- Department: Biological Sciences
Program Description
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that occur in living matter. The biochemistry major provides a rigorous, high-quality biochemistry curriculum that prepares undergraduate students for various aspects of biochemistry disciplines where knowledge, critical, and analytical thinking skills are essential. Biochemistry is a discipline that covers incredibly diverse fields and touches all aspects of our lives. You will learn topics such as the structure of biomolecules and how they interact in essential processes and pathways in our cells, the actions of enzymes, and how they can be inhibited by drugs. The biochemistry curriculum also ensures that students possess scientific skills to be successful in alternative career options in biochemistry and related disciplines. Graduates will be well prepared for employment or further study in different fields including Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Medicine, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology.
Chairperson: Dr. Mahmoud Khalil
Associate Professors: Dr. Jamilah Borjac, Dr. Dalia El Badan.
Assistant Professors: Dr. Ghada Khawaja, Dr. Nawal El Hakawati, Dr. Rana El Hajj, Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab.
The mission of the biochemistry major is to provide a high-quality, rigorous biochemistry curriculum that prepares undergraduate students for various aspects of biochemistry disciplines where knowledge and critical and analytical thinking skills are essential. The biochemistry curriculum also ensures that students possess scientific skills to be successful in alternative career options in biochemistry and related disciplines. Graduates will be well prepared for employment or further study in different fields including Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Medicine, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology.
- Provides undergraduate students with knowledge and understanding of biochemical concepts and principles.
- Prepares students to understand the biochemistry pathways and processes in health, nutrition, and agriculture.
- Provides laboratory skills to help students perform and interpret laboratory work in biochemistry.
- Provides students with the latest biochemical techniques used in both basic and applied areas of biochemistry and related disciplines such as molecular biology.
- Promotes the capacity for lifelong learning.
- Prepares students for many career options in biochemistry and related disciplines.
- The student must conduct a research project in biochemistry followed by an oral and written presentation of this project.
- Knowledge and understanding:
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of fundamental biochemical reactions and processes in living organisms.
- Understanding the mechanisms of disease incidence and strategies to treat human diseases at the molecular and cellular levels.
- Mastering the aspects of the modern disciplines of biochemistry at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels.
- Understanding and practicing various experimental techniques of biochemistry.
- Merging knowledge of biochemistry and related disciplines such as molecular biology, biotechnology, and biomedical science.
- Recognizing and making use of biochemical databases and literature sources.
- Intellectual abilities:
- Acquire a broad understanding of various biochemical aspects and pathways.
- Showcase the ability to conduct experiments, assess acquired data, and formulate logical conclusions or interpretations.
- Display the capacity to rigorously analyze and make practical use of the scientific literature.
- Demonstrate skills and expertise in biochemistry for various career opportunities.
- Apply critical reasoning and logical foundations to evaluate problems within the field of biochemistry.
- Demonstrate the ability to pursue further education as independent professional learning.
- Professional and Practical Competencies:
- Acquire the ability to design experimental biochemical and molecular approaches and strategies to solve biochemical problems.
- Analyze and evaluate the experimental results and observations clearly and draw scientific conclusions.
- Apply fundamental instruments efficiently in practical operations.
- General and transferable skills:
- Convey scientific data with clarity and precision, through spoken and written means.
- Work effectively in a professional or laboratory setting.
- Acknowledge and address the requirement for continuous learning.
- able to work effectively autonomously or collaboratively within a team.
To obtain the bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, students must successfully complete a total of 97 credit hours, where the standard study duration is 6 semesters.
- Post-graduate studies in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, cosmetic science, and related life science programs in addition to chemistry program.
- Employment in the fields of forensic science, food science, agricultural research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Technical research positions.
- Clinical laboratory technicians.
- Teaching Biology
- Admission to biomedical schools.
| I. University Requirements | Credits |
| * University Mandatory Courses | 5 |
| * University Elective Courses | 11 |
| II. Program Requirements | Credits |
| Faculty Core Courses | 17 |
| Major Core Courses | 49 |
| Departmental Electives | 9 |
| **Faculty Electives | 6 |
| Total | 97 |
Faculty and Major Core Courses:
*A total of 16 credits is required as University Requirements:5 credits are selected from the University Mandatory courses list.
At least one course from social sciences and one course from humanities should be selected among the university elective courses.
** A total of 6 credits is required as faculty electives.
Students can enroll in any course offered by the Faculty of Science.
| Courses | Crs. | Pre-Co/requisites | ||
| BIOL | 233 | Biology | 3 | |
| BIOL | 233L | Biology Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: BIOL 233 |
| BIOL | 236 | Human Physiology | 3 | Pre-Req: BIOL 233 |
| CHEM | 241 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 | |
| CHEM | 241L | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: CHEM 241 |
| PHYS | 243 | General Physics | 3 | |
| PHYS | 243L | General Physics Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: PHYS 243 |
| MATH | 250 | Biostatistics | 3 | |
| CHEM | 242 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 | Pre-Req: CHEM 241 |
| CHEM | 242L | Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: CHEM 242 |
| CHEM | 234 | Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| CHEM | 234L | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: CHEM 234 |
| CMPS | 241 | Introduction to Programming | 3 | |
| MATH | 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry | 3 | |
| BIOL | 332 | Immunology | 2 | Pre-Req: BIOL 233 |
| BCHM | 333 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 | Pre-Req: CHEM 234 |
| BCHM | 333L | Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: BCHM 333 |
| BIOL | 333 | Microbiology | 3 | Pre-Req: BIOL 233 |
| BIOL | 333L | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: BIOL 333 |
| BIOL | 334 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 | Pre-Req: BIOL 233 |
| BIOL | 334L | Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: BIOL 334 |
| BIOL | 338 | Genetics | 3 | Pre-Req: BIOL 233 |
| CHEM | 333 | Physical Chemistry | 3 | PRE-REQ: CHEM 241 |
| CHEM | 333L | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: CHEM 333 |
| BCHM | 435 | Seminar in Biochemistry | 1 | |
| BCHM | 437 | BEndocrinology | 3 | Pre-Req: BCHM 333 |
| BCHM | 432 | Clinical Biochemistry | 3 | Pre-Req: BCHM 333 |
| BCHM | 432L | Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | Co-Req: BCHM 432 |
| BCHM | 434 | Biotechnology | 3 | Pre-Req: BIOL 334 |
| CBIO | 444 | Internship | 2 | |
The program utilizes a number of well-equipped laboratories for practical work and research. The Laboratories serving the program are:
- Biology Laboratory
- Biology Research Laboratory
- Microbiology Laboratory
- Biochemistry Laboratory
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Specialized Laboratory
- Microbiology Specialized Laboratory
- Tissue Culture Laboratory
- Animal House Facility (Breeding Room)
- Animal House Facility (for Post Graduate Students)
Study Plan:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours Distribution | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||||
| BIOL231 | Biology I | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | FC |
| BIOL231L | Biology I Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:3Lab) | FC |
| CHEM241 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | FC |
| CHEM241L | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:3Lab) | FC |
| MATH241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry | 3 | (3 Cr.: 3Lec.,0 Tut., 0 Lab.) | FC |
| PHYS243 | General Physics | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | FC |
| PHYS243L | General Physics Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:3Lab) | FC |
| ------- | University Requirements | 2 | (2 crs.) | CUR |
| Second Semester | ||||
| BIOL238 | Human Physiology | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | MJC |
| CHEM234 | Organic Chemistry | 3 | (3Crs.:3 Lec) | MJC |
| CHEM234L | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:3Lab) | MJC |
| CHEM242 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | MJC |
| CHEM242L | Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:3 Lab) | MJC |
| CMPS241 | Introduction to Programming | 3 | (3Crs.:2 Lec.,2Lab) | FC |
| MATH250 | Biostatistics | 3 | (3 Crs.: 2Lec., 2 Lab.) | FC |
| Third Semester | ||||
| BCHM331 | Biochemistry | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | MJC |
| BCHM331L | Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:2Lab) | MJC |
| BIOL333 | Microbiology | 3 | (3Cr.:3 Lec) | MJC |
| BIOL333L | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:2 Lab) | MJC |
| BIOL334 | Cell And Molecular Biology | 3 | (3Crs.:3 Lec) | FC |
| BIOL334L | Cell And Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 | (1Cr.:2 Lab) | MJC |
| ------- | University Requiremnents | 4 | (4crs.) | CUR |
| Fourth Semester | ||||
| BCHM336 | Metabolic Biochemistry | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | MJC |
| BCHM336L | Metabolic Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1Crs.:2Lab) | MJC |
| BIOL332 | Immunology | 2 | (2Cr.:2Lec) | MJC |
| BIOL338 | Genetics | 3 | (3Cr.:3Lec) | MJC |
| ------- | Departmental Elective | 3 | (3crs.) | DE |
| ------- | University Requiremnents | 4 | (4 crs.) | CUR |
| Fifth Semester | ||||
| BCHM435 | Seminar in Biochemistry | 1 | (1cr.: 1lec.) | MJC |
| BCHM437 | Endocrinology | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | MJC |
| BCHM439 | Biochemistry Internship | 2 | (2 Crs: 2Lec) | MJC |
| CHEM333 | Physical Chemistry | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | MJC |
| CHEM333L | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1crs.: 3lab.) | MJC |
| ------- | Departmental Elective | 3 | (3crs.) | DE |
| ------- | University Requirements | 4 | (4 crs.) | CUR |
| Sixth Semester | ||||
| BCHM432 | Clinical Biochemistry | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | MJC |
| BCHM432L | Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | (1cr.: 3lab.) | MJC |
| BCHM434 | Biotechnology | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | MJC |
| BCHM444 | Senior Project | 2 | (2crs.: 2lec.) | MJC |
| ------- | Departmental Elective | 3 | (3crs.) | DE |
| ------- | University Requirement | 2 | (2crs.) | CUR |
Departmental Elective (DE)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | Hours Distribution | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCHM445 | Biochemical Principles of Nutrition | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BCHM446 | Gene Therapy | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BCHM447 | Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BCHM448 | Molecular Biology of Cancer | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BCHM449 | Nucleic Acid - Protein Interaction | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BCHM451 | Cell Signaling | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BIOL342 | Histology | 3 | (3Cr.:2Lec,2 Lab) | DE |
| BIOL344 | Virology | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | DE |
| BIOL441 | Cell and Tissue Culture | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BIOL445 | Food Microbiology | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BIOL451 | Bioinformatics | 3 | (3Crs.:2Lec,2Lab) | DE |
| BIOL452 | Medical Microbiology | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| BIOL453 | Environmental Studies | 3 | (3crs.: 3lec.) | DE |
| PHYS352 | Biophysics | 3 | (3Crs.:3Lec) | DE |