Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research College of Medicine 1. Introduction: The College of Medicine, while consolidating on its undergraduate innovative educational programs, decided to embark towards non-traditional postgraduate programs and prepare to offer a Master and Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research. The College has succeeded in establishing strategic alliances with leading universities and institutions in France, Japan, Australia and U.S.A. Agreements have been signed by His Highness, Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qassimi, with University Paris Diderot, L Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale (INSERM) and Institut Gustave Roussy, the largest cancer institute in Europe, to support postgraduate training and research in laboratories that have earned an international reputation. An important aspect of the agreement with University Paris Diderot is to establish a joint supervision of a Master and PhD program in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research where the degrees are awarded by the two universities. The Master and PhD programs will be the cornerstone of the new Sharjah Institvte for medical research at the University of Sharjah. 2. Collaborating Universities: The program is located at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah and University Paris Diderot. Both universities have agreed to associate their efforts in order to promote international exchanges, to increase their scientific cooperation and to favor the development of research and higher education at the University of Sharjah. In this respect, a full academic supervision insuring standard and quality of courses similar to Paris Diderot University will be implemented. The two universities declare their intention to collaborate in the exchange of faculty, students and common scientific direction of research and organization of courses at University of Sharjah and Paris Diderot University in Paris. Graduate Catalog 2013-2014 247
3. Academic supervision: A Joint Academic Committee will be formed from the University of Sharjah faculty and faculty from University Paris Diderot, France. Faculty from collaborating universities linked with UoS will be invited to join this committee when needed (Mie University, Japan, Monash University, and Baker s Institute, Australia). The committee oversees the program s development, implementation and evaluation, and gives advice on issues related to its overall functions. Further, every graduate student shall be assigned two academic advisers (one from UoS and another from Paris Diderot). 4. Program Structure The Ph.D degree is awarded to candidates with the ability to carry out independent research, and submission of a dissertation containing an account of the successful original study of a scientific problem. Study will be full time. 5. PhD program domains The PhD program will have four major domains: Molecular Imaging in Cancer Cancer Target Therapy Cancer Immunology Cancer Genetics Molecular Basis of Diabetes and CVD 6. Admission Requirements Students should have completed a Master in a related field. Student selection will be based on the applicant s academic performance in the Master and results of interview by representatives of the Program Academic Committee. 7. Duration and Graduation Requirements 3 years Completion of a minimum of 42 credits; offering the degree will be 248 College of Graduate Studies & Research
based on a dissertation and one international publication. This includes finishing course material in the first year, at the end of which a student shall sit for a comprehensive exam. This is followed by the submission of project proposal, and upon the completion of all the research work the student shall submit a dissertation. A final oral defence of the dissertation will be organized at the University of Sharjah. Year 1: a number of research related courses (to be identified by the Joint Academic Committee) Years 2 & 3: dedicated for the research dissertation. Ph.D. Program in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research YEAR Semester Course Title Type Course No. Credit hrs Total Immunotherapy of Cancer Compulsory 0900801 3 Cytokines and chemokines; basic concepts, receptors, and role in biotherapy Compulsory 0900802 3 1 1 Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology I (Lab) Major Histocompatibility Complex; fundamentals and association with disease Specific and natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity; mechanisms and regulation Compulsory 0900803 3 0900804 3 0900805 3 12 Advanced Molecular Immunology Compulsory 0900806 3 Vascular Biology 0900807 3 2 Biology of Tumor progression 0900808 3 9 Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology II (Lab) Compulsory 0900809 3 Qualification Exam Compulsory 0900810 0 Proposal Compulsory 0900811 3 2 Dissertation Compulsory 0900812 9 3 Dissertation Compulsory 0900813 9 The Ph.D. Program consists of 7 courses (21 credits) and a Ph.D. thesis. Students are required to complete 3 Compulsory courses and one selected elective in the first semester (12 credits) and 2 Compulsory and one selected elective in the second semester (9 credits). (Total of 21 credits). Students Graduate Catalog 2013-2014 249
are required to pass the qualification Exam and submit a research proposal before they register for the thesis. The requirements for completion of the Ph.D. degree are an accepted thesis and a minimum of one published paper. Course Description 0900801 Immunotherapy of cancer 3 This course will focus on the study of the use of the immune system to reject cancer. Topics include: detailed studies on Immunosurveillance, tumor antigens, monoclonal antibody therapy and radio-immunotherapy. 0900802 Cytokines and Chemokines 3 This course will focus on the study of basic concepts related to cytokines and chemokines, receptors, and their role in biotherapy. Topics include: structural and functional classification of cytokines, cytokine receptors. 0900803 Advanced techniques in Molecular Biology 3 Use of laboratory techniques in Molecular Biology through a supervised independent research project. The research topic and the special techniques are selected to facilitate development of a doctoral thesis project. 0900804 Major Histocompatibility Complex 3 This course will focus on the detailed study of the fundamental aspects of MHC association with disease. Topics include: molecular biology of MHC proteins, MHC evolution and allelic diversity and MHC and sexual selection. 0900805 Specific and natural cell- mediated cytotoxicity This course will focus on the studies of the mechanisms and regulation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity of the adaptive immune system. Topics include: natural killer cells and their receptor types, molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity. 0900806 Advanced Molecular Immunology This course will focus on the study of the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease. Topics include autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, hypersensitivities, transplant rejection and immunotherapy and the study of the interaction between the immune system and cancer cells. 250 College of Graduate Studies & Research
0900807 Vascular biology 3 This course will focus on the reviews of the regulation of angiogenesis, vascular diseases and therapeutic intervention. 0900808 Biology of tumor progression 3 This course will focus on the studies of circulating tumor cells, cancer stem cells, metastatic process, and cell invasion. Topics include: the molecular mechanisms of metastasis, factors involved in metastasis, metastasis and primary cancer and treatments. 0900809 Advanced techniques in Molecular Biology II Use of laboratory techniques in Molecular Biology through a supervised independent research project. The research topic and the special techniques are selected to facilitate development of a doctoral thesis project. Graduate Catalog 2013-2014 251