Chairperson: Prof. Mahmoud Khalil

Professors: Prof. Jamilah Borjac

Associate Professors: Dr. Dalia El Badan, Dr. Ghada Khawaja, Dr. Tarek Houri, Dr. Rana El Hajj, Dr. Nawal El Hakawati.

Assistant Professors: Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab.

The mission of the Ph.D. Program in Biology is to achieve national and international recognition for integrated research and education in the biological sciences. Students will be prepared for many career opportunities in biological sciences.

1. Engage the student with current developments in bioscience and their applications.
2. Gain a thorough understanding of scientific research and interpret laboratory and field work in biological sciences.
3. Promote the capacity for lifelong learning.
4. Prepare students for many career options in biological sciences.
5. Guide students to carry out scientific projects and publish in high-ranked scientific journals.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
   
   
1. Mastering aspects of the modern disciplines of biology.
2. Highlighting the interdisciplinary approach of biology.
3. Illustrating the scientific methods and techniques for laboratory and field work in different biological sciences.
4. Identifying and efficiently using biological databases and sources from the literature.
   
   
2. Intellectual abilities:
   
   
1. Demonstrate a wide knowledge of major concepts, principles, and theories associated with biology.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply concepts and methodologies of biological science to conduct research projects, analyze the data, and draw reasonable conclusions.
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically utilize scientific literature in biological sciences.
4. Use critical thinking to solve problems in various biological disciplines.
5. Show the ability to pursue further education as independent lifelong professional learning.
6. Demonstrate skills and expertise in biology disciplines for various career opportunities.
   
   
3. Professional and Practical Competencies:
   
   
1. Design plans and conduct research projects to answer pertinent questions in the biological sciences.
2. Conduct research projects and generate concise scientific reports.
3. Operate laboratory instrumentation efficiently.
4. Conduct excellent critical thinking and formulation of scientific hypotheses.
   
   
4. General and transferable skills:
   
   
1. Effective scientific communication skills, both written and oral.
2. Work effectively autonomously or within a team.
3. Recognize and respond to the need for continuous learning.
4. Use effective interpersonal and teamwork skills, including demonstrating an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of science and the validity of different points of view.
5. Self-management and handling of difficult scientific concepts.

To obtain the Ph.D. degree in Biology, the student should successfully complete a total of 40 credit hours, out of which 18 credit hours are for course work, maintaining a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0, and 22 credit hours for the dissertation to be defended successfully. Before registering the dissertation, the student must pass a comprehensive exam after passing his/her 18 credits of courses.

The minimum period of study to obtain the Ph.D. degree in Biology is three years and the maximum is six years from the enrolment date in the program.

Comprehensive exam

• The student should sit for the comprehensive exam after completing all courses and achieving a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.00.
• The period between completing all courses and the comprehensive exam must not exceed three months (one semester).
• The comprehensive exam consists of two parts: a written part and an oral part.
• The oral exam is held within a maximum of two weeks after the written exam.
• The student is evaluated in both the written and oral exams as an integrated unit.

1. Pursue a postdoctoral position in various biological sciences.
2. Acquire an assistant professor of biology position at the university.
3. Research and consulting positions in universities, the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and research councils.

• General Research Methodology (GREM 600) (3 Crs.)
• Research Techniques (BIOL 682) (3 Crs.) Equivalent to Specialized Research Methodology
• Thesis (BIOL 690) (6 Crs.)

The program utilizes a number of well-equipped laboratories for practical work and research. The Laboratories serving the program are:

1. Biology Laboratory
2. Biology Research Laboratory
3. Microbiology Laboratory
4. Biochemistry Laboratory
5. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Specialized Laboratory
6. Microbiology Specialized Laboratory
7. Tissue Culture Laboratory
8. Animal House Facility (Breeding Room)
9. Animal House Facility (for Post Graduate Students)