Al-Quds University offers this program along the line of its community-based orientation. The program of master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is the first program in the field of Basic Medical Sciences. It is a joint program designed, supervised and run by the Faculty of Medicine in cooperation with the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health Professions at Al-Quds University.
The MSc program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is designed to achieve the following:
- Graduates will have knowledge and understanding of the theory behind the techniques in Biochemistry 6and molecular biology and how these techniques can be applied to biological problems.
- Graduates will have not only the basic knowledge in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology but also a critical awareness of current progress in this field.
- Graduates will be qualified to participate in the clinical activities, research functions, and teaching in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Soon
Admission to the master’s program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology requires the following:
- A baccalaureate degree in health sciences or its related fields (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Medical Technology, Pharmacology, Medicine or Dentistry with a minimum average of 75 % (according to the grading system of candidates’ original university). For the MSc Track without Thesis, candidates are accepted with 70% average in BSc.
- Completion of not less than 3 credit hours in computer science and 4-6 hours in the field of general biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, organic chemistry on the undergraduate level.
- Completion of 4-8 credit hours in Biochemistry with final grade above 70%.
- Two recommendation letters from previous professors and/or latest employer.
- Passing the personality assessment on the bases of interview conducted by the graduate admission committee.
- To fulfill any other requirements for admission to the master’s program according to the higher education regulations of Al-Quds University.
- The program will provide the Palestinian Society with qualified personnel in health sciences especially in the functions and development of medical laboratories, whether in public or private sectors.
- The master degree opens the door for the graduates to both clinical and non-clinical fields of work with studies that can be done in a laboratory setting, as well as working in the field (e.g., genetic counselling, forensic sciences, biomedical engineering and medical lab sciences).
- The Master degree provides exceptional training and experiences for the graduates to continue their higher studies for the PhD degree in any field of basic medical sciences.
A) Required Courses: (19 credit hours)
- Cell Biochemistry (8035530) (3 ch)
- Advanced Biochemistry (8035531) (3 ch)
- Metabolic Biochemistry (8035532) (3 ch)
- Research Methods (8035533) (3 ch)
- Molecular Biology (8035534) (3 ch)
- Biochem & Mol. Aspects of Selected Diseases (8035520) (2ch)
- Seminar (8035610) (2 ch)
B) Elective Courses: (11 CH for Thesis Track with Thesis or 14 CH for Non-thesis Track)
- Biostatistics (8035521) (2 ch)
- Principles of Biotechnology (8035535) (3 ch)
- Structure and Function of Proteins and Enzymes (8035536) (3ch)
- Current Topics in Enzymology (8035611) (1 ch)
- Current Topics in Molecular Biology (8035612) (2 ch)
- Current Topics in Lipids (8035613) (1 ch)
- Biochemistry of Lipids and Membranes (8035621) (2 ch)
- Drug Metabolism (8035631) (3 ch)
- Gene Regulation Mechanisms (8035632) (3 ch)
- Introduction to Genetic Engineering (8035633) (3 ch)
- Lipoproteins (8035634) (3 ch)
- Neurochemistry (8035635) (3 ch)
- Special Topics in Biochemistry (8035636) (3 ch)
- Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis (8035637) (3 ch)
- Medical Genetics (8035638) (3ch)
C) Thesis Research: (6 ch) Only for Thesis Track.
- Thesis Research (8035660) (6 ch)
D) Research Project: (3 ch) Only for Non-Thesis Track.
- Research Project (8035666) (3ch)
E) Final Graduation Requirements:
- Thesis Presentation & Defense: For the Thesis Track.
- Comprehensive Exam: For Non-Thesis Track.
8035 520 Biochemistry & Molecular Aspects of Selected Diseases (2 CH)
Emphasis on the biochemical and molecular aspects of selected diseases. The format will be tutorial type, including presentations of material by students
8035 521 Biostatistics (2 CH)
This course focuses on the basic statistical procedures and tests used for data description, analysis and inference making for data. Topics covered: descriptive statistics, graphical displays of data, expectations and variance of random variables, confidence intervals and tests for means, differences of means, proportions, differences of proportions, chi-square tests for categorical variables, hypothesis testing, an introduction to analysis of variance. SPSS Statistical software will be used as supplement to train students on the application of procedures learned
8035 530 Cell Biology (3 CH)
Structure and function of cellular membranes, cytoskeleton, subcellular organelles, cellular bioenergetics, and intercellular interactions.
8035 531 Advanced Biochemistry (3 CH)
A core course in chemistry and structure of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, membranes, enzymes and nucleic acids
8035 532 Metabolic Biochemistry (3 CH)
A core course in metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.
8035533 Research METHODS (3 CH) (1 lecture + 2 lab)
Lectures cover basic laboratory techniques used in contemporary biochemical and molecular research. The laboratory covers teaching basic biochemical skills of operating laboratory instruments, and basic research principles.
8035 534 Molecular Biology (3 CH)
The organization and replication of genetic material, transcriptional and translational machinery, and regulation of gene expression.
8035 535 PRINCIPLES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY (3 CH) (2 lecture + 1 Lab)
Study the principles of applied biology and the requirements for growth of cells in tissue culture and the role of biotechnology in industry. (Prerequisite 8035531)
8035 536 Structure and Function of Proteins and Enzymes (3 CH)
Structure-function relationships of proteins, enzyme kinetics, regulation and reaction mechanisms. (Prerequisite 8035531)
8035610 SEMINARS (2 CH)
Oral presentation by students of a chosen scientific work, followed by discussion and analysis of the results, based on the research tactics and the techniques which were used by the authors.
8035611 Current Topics in ENZYMOLOGY (1 CH)
Directed readings in various areas of enzymology (Prerequisite 8035536)
8035612 Current Topics in Molecular Biology (2 CH)
Directed readings in the area of Molecular biology. In-depth critical discussion of primary literature. Topics include molecular signal transduction pathways, cell cycle regulation, proliferation, apoptosis. A Literature-driven focus on abnormal regulatory processes in disease such as cancer will also be explored. (Prerequisite 8035534)
8035613 Current Topics in Lipids (1 CH)
Directed readings in the area of lipid biochemistry (Prerequisite 8035532)
8035 621 Biochemistry of Lipids and Membranes (2 CH)
Biochemistry, structure and function of various lipid classes, membranes, and receptors. (Prerequisite 8035531)
8035 631 Drug METABOLISMS (3 CH)
Importance of drug metabolism, phase I and phase II reaction: conjugation reactions, oxidation by cytochrome P450 oxidation pathway. (Prerequisite 8035531)
8035 632 Gene Regulation Mechanisms (3 CH)
The control of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic model systems. Cis and Trans transcription factors, and Oncogenes. (Prerequisite 8035534)
8035633 Introduction to Genetic Engineering (3 CH)
Basic techniques of genetic manipulation: isolation of phage and plasmid DNA, cloning of genes, transformation of bacteria, mutagenesis of cloned genes, and other techniques (Prerequisite 8035534)
8035634 Lipoproteins (3 CH)
Composition, synthesis, and metabolism of lipoproteins in normal and dyslipoproteinemic subjects. (Prerequisite 8035532)
8035 635 Neurochemistry (3 CH)
Special biochemistry of the brain with the complete life cycle of the main neurotransmitters, including synthesis, storage, release, uptake, binding to specific receptors and degradation. Tutorial type including presentation of material by students. (Prerequisite 8035532 or concurrent)
8035 636 Special Topics in Biochemistry (3 CH)
A study of selected aspects in biochemistry, depends on the needs of the students and the interest of the teaching staff.
8035 637 Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis S (3 )CH
Cancer is a complex disease with multiple steps in its pathogenesis and variability depending on the tissue of origin. Discoveries in the identification of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, pathways of DNA damage and repair, cell cycle regulation, growth regulatory factors and cytokines have provided exciting new insights into the basic biology of cancers and new ways to fight cancer.
The course focuses on molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in multistage chemical, radiation, and viral induced carcinogenesis. Technological advancements in genomics, proteomics, and tissue arrays have refined cancer diagnosis, leading to the development of successful cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies based on the knowledge of specific molecular targets. (Prerequisite 8035534)
8035638 Medical Genetics (3 CH)
The course is designed to reflect the increasing impact of genomic sciences on our understanding of disease, medical diagnosis and research. In addition to a consideration of the basic science underlying genetics and the use of bioinformatics. The course aims to provide a high level of scientific knowledge and understanding of genetic influences on disease processes, develop an informed and critical appreciation of current and developing technologies (Prerequisite 8035534).
8035 660 THESIS RESEARCH (6 CH) (3 CH for two semesters) only for thesis track
Carried out in the laboratory of interest under the supervision of the academic advisor.
8035666 RESEARCH PROJECT (3 CH) only for non-Thesis track.
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to design and perform an original piece of research in consultation with a research supervisor. The student will perform experiments that will set out to answer questions posed at the beginning of the experimental work.
The student will be able to understand how molecular techniques can be applied to scientific problems relevant to the project. Generate and test experimental hypotheses. At the end of the course the student will write a project report for assessment and give an assessed seminar.