Master of Science in Biotechnology College of Sciences Department of Applied Biology Introduction: Biotechnology is rapidly becoming central to our lives. The use of plants, animals and bacteria, enhanced by areas such as genetics and genomics, gives rise to new food, fibre and chemical production routes, and new strategies for environmental protection and stewardship, all central requirements as the global population increases over the coming decades. The Department of Applied Biology at the University of Sharjah offers a Master of Science in Biotechnology program that pre pares graduates to confidently confront current and future challenges in an exciting profession and equip them with advanced knowledge, practical skills, and knowledge discovery and application skills. The Department has well qualified faculty and lecturers with many years of academic and practical experience both regionally and internationally. The expertise of the academic staff spans the main disciplines of modern Biotechnology. In addition, the department has laboratory facilities that are furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and analytical in struments in support of advanced experimental work for teaching, research and community service. The laboratories are also staffed with qualified and well-trained laboratory supervisors and technicians. Program Objectives: The Biotechnology MSc program is oriented to achieve the following objectives: 1. To provide graduates with advanced knowledge and applicable research principles and methods in biological sciences which include cellular biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, human genetics, cytogenetics, microbiology, and immunology 2. To provide the students with required biotechnology skills which enables them to operate effectively in a new learning or professional context such as higher education specialized industrial labs, pharmaceuticals and forensics.. To enrich graduates with advanced skills of scientific writing, and oral presentation to analyze research findings and conclusions 4. To train graduates to manage laboratory activities and engage in effective scientific work as individuals and as team members. 5. To enable students to carry out a research project in a biotechnology discipline 6. To improve students ability in assessing and critically evaluating ethical issues related to biotechnology implications Admission Criteria: The Department Research & Graduate Studies Committee may grant regular or conditional enrolment for graduate study leading toward a Master degree to applicants who satisfy the following academic qualifications and criteria: 1- Have a bachelor s degree in Biotechnology or other fields related to Life Sciences (such as Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, Veterinary, Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences) from a recognized college or university. 2- An overall undergraduate grade point average of.00 (out of 4.0) or higher. Students with less than may be accepted conditionally. - Applicants are required to attain a minimum TOFEL score (paper test) of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 and above. 4- Have been reviewed and recommended for acceptance by the Research & Graduate Studies Committee in the Department and approved by the Department Council. Full-time candidates of the Master degree must complete their requirements within a minimum of semesters and a maximum of 8 semesters from the date they are admitted into the program. 14
Program Structure and Requirements The Department of Applied Biology received Eligibility Accreditation Status from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The degree is titled: Master of Science in Biotechnology. The program of study offers two options: 1- Research thesis track, catering for the needs of research oriented stu dents who can devote adequate time to complete high quality research thesis; and 2- Non-thesis track, catering for the needs of professionals, especially those who work full-time. As part of the requirements, students complete a high quality research project. The thesis track consists of 25 credit hours of course work in addition to 9 credit hours of thesis and the non-thesis track consists of 1 credit hours of course work, credit hours of research project and a final comprehensive exam. The minimum degree requirement is 4 credit hours distributed as follows for the thesis and the non-thesis tracks: Components Credit Hours Title Track 1 Track 2 Compulsory s 16 1 Elective s 15 12 M.Sc. Project - Comprehensive Examination 0 - M.Sc. Thesis - 9 Total 4 4 Curricula The curricula requirements are classified into the following categories: a- Compulsory s No. Code Name Credit Hours 1 1450501 Research Methodology 1 2 1450502 Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering 1450512 Advanced Cell Biology 4 1450542 Advanced Human Molecular Genetics 5 1450551 Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 6 1450596 Research Project 7 1450598 Comprehensive Examination 0 8 1450599 M.Sc. Thesis 9 College of Sciences 15
b- Elective s No. Code Name Credit Hours 1 145051 Advanced Microbiology 2 145052 Advanced Immunology 145054 Advanced Virology 4 145054 Regulation of Gene Expression 5 1450545 Advanced Molecular Developmental Biology 6 1450546 Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases 7 1450592A Selected Topics in Biotechnology A 8 1450592B Selected Topics in Biotechnology B 9 1450596 Research Project Study Plan Non-Thesis Track Study Plan for the M.Sc. Degree in Biotechnology by Non-Thesis Fall Semester First Year Spring Semester No. Title Cr. Hrs. No. Title Cr. Hrs. 1450502 Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering 1450512 Advanced Cell Biology 1450551 Advanced Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 1450542 Advanced Human Molecular Genetics Total 9 Total 9 Fall Semester Second Year Spring Semester No. Title Cr. Hrs. No. Title Cr. Hrs. 1450501 Research Methodology 1 1450596 Research Project 1450598 Comprehensive Examination Total 10 Total 6 0 16
Elective s are selected based on the following criteria: 1- At least six courses should be taken from Cluster I-III Elective s 2- Subject to supervisor and program coordinator s approval only one graduate course may be taken from Cluster IV Elective s which are offered by College of Medicine. Thesis Track Study Plan for the M.Sc. Degree in Biotechnology by Thesis First Year Fall Semester Spring Semester No. Title Cr. Hrs. No. Title Cr. Hrs. 1450502 Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering 1450512 Advanced Cell Biology 1450551 Advanced Biochemistry& Molecular Biology 1450542 Advanced Human Molecular Genetics Total 12 Total 12 Second Year Spring Semester No. Title Cr. Hrs. 1450501 Research Methodology 1 1450599 Thesis 9 College of Sciences Total 10 Elective s are selected based on the following criteria: 1. At least four courses should be taken from Group I-III Elective s 2. Subject to supervisor and program coordinator s approval only one graduate course may be taken from Group IV Elective s which are offered by College of Medicine. 17
M. Sc. Clusters Elective s Cluster I No. Title Cr. Hrs. 145054 Regulation of Gene Expression 1450546 Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases Cluster II No. Title Cr. Hrs. 1450545 Advanced Molecular Developmental Biology 1450592A Selected Topics in Biotechnology A 1450592B Selected Topics in Biotechnology B Cluster III No. Title Cr. Hrs. 145051 Advanced Microbiology 145052 Advanced Immunology 145054 Advanced Virology Cluster IV No. Title Cr. Hrs. 0900702 Gene Expression 090070 Biomedical Genomics 0900705 Selected Topics in Cell Biology 0900709 Selected Topics in Immunology 0900711 Selected Topics in Molecular Biology 18
Descriptions 1450501 Research Methodology (1-0:1) The course is designed to introduce students to research methods that would help them generating proposals for master s theses in different field of biotechnology. It will provide students with a broad introduction to research methodology and guided opportunities to explore the application of research methods in biotechnology. The course will focus on how to organize a research project, including developing the research question, reviewing and synthesizing prior research and writing, using computer software in presenting and analyzing the data and understanding the elements of a research proposal. Students will be encouraged to represent their thesis proposal and to work together to help each other develop an appropriate and feasible research design, considering the merits of alternative methods. Students should expect to work intensively with their advisors during this period. = 1450502 Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (-0:) Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering is a course, aimed at graduate level students who want to expand their knowledge of the biotechnology world and its applications. The major themes are the use of biological systems in medicine, industry and agriculture; food and drug production; application of genetic engineering. Lectures will underlie the principles and application of recombinant DNA technology in industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields. Lecture will also include the fermentation systems for commercial production of useful products and their purification. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of these topics, and be able to use them in class, in their writings and presentations, and in exams. 1450512 Advanced Cell Biology (-0:) Students will be introduced to the advanced topics in Cell Biology including: Brief discussion of evolution of Cell from simple molecules; revision of structure and function of main eukaryotic cell s organelles; mechanism of proteins targeting and their subsequent modification inside nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, ER, Golgi and lysosome; detail mechanism of substances transport across the plasma membrane; bulk transport across the cells such as exocytosis and endocytosis and examples of dysregulation of such transports in the different diseases; the roles of cytoskeletal proteins in the cellular organization, movement and intracellular transport; the role of extracellular matrix in the organization of tissue and cellular interaction; the details mechanism of eukaryotic cell cycle regulation and understanding the mechanism of cancer resulting from the dysregulation of eukaryotic cell cycle. Once the theoretical aspects of the contents have been delivered the course will focus on the application of cellular processes in the application of Biotechnology such as the Use of extracellular matrix in tissue engineering and the roles of ER in engineering the secretion in mammalian cells to improve the secretion of recombinant proteins. College of Sciences 145051 Advanced Microbiology (-0:) Advanced Microbiology is a course, that is designed for Biology or Biotechnology majors who want to expand their knowledge of the microscopic world, in general, or for use in professional or graduate school. The major themes are structure and function, general principles for growth, microbial genetics, description of microbiological life forms, uses of microorganisms, microorganisms in disease, and antimicrobial drugs. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of these topics, and be able to use them in class, in their writings and presentations, and in exams. 19
145052 Advanced Immunology (-0:) The course covers the main aspects of Immunology at an advanced level and is suited to postgraduate students with background knowledge of immunology. Topics covered include the molecular basis of immune recognition, regulation of the immune response, mechanisms of host response against infectious pathogenic agents, transplantation, vaccine design, immunodeficiency and other immune disorders. Selected cutting-edge topics of clinically and scientifically relevant research topics are be chosen by the lecturers and short introductory notes will be delivered. Oral and poster presentation tasks as well as written assignments are designed to reinforce the lecture material PART-I: The first part of the course gives an introduction to Cellular Immunology: the cell types involved in immune responses, the interactions between these cells during immune and inflammatory responses, and the mechanisms of host response against infectious pathogens. PART-II: Part-I is then extended into Molecular Immunology, which covers in detail the molecular events responsible for the regulation of T cells, B cells, and other immune cells. This also extends into the mechanisms underlying T and B cell recognition of antigens and antigen processing, in transplantation, viral immunity and in various immune diseases. PART-III: The understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of the immune response is then developed to cover Clinical Immunology. The role of the immune system in human health and disease is described in detail, with examples showing how the immune dysfunction leads to chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, cancer immunology, immunogenetics and immune deficiency. Throughout the course students will also learn about Applied Immunology, with lectures on vaccine technology and immunotherapeutics. Problem-based learning exercises will be used to demonstrate these topics. 145054 Advanced Virology (-0:) This course will focus on virus-host interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. Presentations and readings will focus on understanding of viral structure, replication, gene expression, and effects of virus infection on cells as well as cell biology. Emphasis will be on vertebrate animal viruses, but the course will include comparative aspects of bacterial and plant viruses. The course will be comprehensive and will feature presentations and discussions of recent virology research. Furthermore, this course will also emphasize on the impact of biotechnology on virology and viral diseases. This course will critically focus on the understanding of how to construct viral vectors for gene therapy and the latest advances in molecular virology findings and applications. 1450542 Advanced Human Molecular Genetics (-0:) This course provides a broad grounding in human genetics, with the emphasis on the molecular aspects of human genetics, particularly in relation to human disease. It is aimed mainly at science graduates who seek research careers in areas such as fundamental human molecular genetics, genetic factors in human health and disease, or molecular and cytogenetic approaches to diagnosis. The course is flexible and is updated regularly to reflect important advances in human genetics. The course covers a wide range of topics, including fundamental human genetics, clinical genetics and statistical genetics, together with advanced human genetics, which covers areas of human disease, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and rare monogenic disease. 140
145054 Regulation of Gene Expression (-0:) The processes of gene expression are fundamental to all biologically driven processes in the cell. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which the expression levels of specific genes are controlled are key to adaptive responses, cell growth and differentiation and developmental biology. In this module we aims to provide an understanding of the underlying molecular basis of the processes of gene expression in cells, with a focus on regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of protein-coding genes. This will cover three areas related to the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes: (i) chromatin structure and mechanisms of transcriptional regulation (ii) extracellular signaling pathways, and (iii) posttranscriptional regulation mechanisms. 1450545 Advanced Molecular Developmental Biology (-0:) This course will introduce students to advanced concepts in Developmental Biology, including: The roles of paracrine factors and differential genes regulation in development; molecular development of a non-vertebrate such as Drosophila, including elucidating the roles of Gap, Pair-rule, Segment polarity and Homeotic genes in the development; molecular development of the early mammals explaining the main events from zygote till gastrulation; molecular mechanisms of mammalian axis formation; describing the development of central nervous system from ectoderm during the mammalian development; describing the neural crest migration and their subsequent differentiation to tissues during the mammalian development; the formation of main tissues and organs from the mesoderm and endoderm during the mammalian development. Case studies from the literatures such as the roles of micrornas regulator (RISC) in mammalian development and In vitro fertilization for infertile couples will be discussed. 1450546 Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases (-0:) Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases is a course, aimed at graduate levels that is designed for Biology, Biotechnology, medicine, or pharmacy majors who want to expand their knowledge in molecular tools for use in professional or graduate school. This course will cover the principles of Molecular Diagnosis which is the process of identifying a disease by studying molecules, such as proteins, DNA, and RNA, in a tissue or fluid. Molecular diagnostics is a new discipline that captures genomic and proteomic expression patterns and uses the information to distinguish between two or more conditions at the molecular level. The conditions under investigation can be human genetic disease or infectious diseases. Molecular diagnostics is not confined to human diseases but can be used in animals or plants. It can be also used in environmental monitoring, food processing etc College of Sciences 1450551 Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (-0:) Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular biology deals with nucleic acids and proteins and how these molecules interact within the cell to promote proper growth, division, and development. This course will emphasize the molecular mechanisms of site-specific recombination, metabolism of lipids, nucleic acids and proteins, hormonal regulation and integration of metabolism in different organisms. We will study the techniques and experiments used to describe these mechanisms, often referring to the original scientific literature. In addition, we will take a look at some rapidly evolving fields, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. 141
1450592A Selected Topics in Biotechnology A (-0:) This course will be offered to students enrolled for master s program. Mainly this will explore other topics that are not described in the MSc. program. It will cover recent and varied scientific topics that will enhance the student s knowledge. The course is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge research on different biotechnological areas based on the research interest of the faculty who is teaching the course. The course will investigate recent developments and techniques in the different areas of biotechnology through discussion of lecture material or research articles, and students are expected to write a mini-review and present it in an acceptable format. The delivery of the course materials will include students reading latest reports and primary literature articles and then discussion around these. One example of the topics that could be covered in this course is: Omics approaches for plant stress tolerance, which discussing the recent applications of the different omics technologies including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other omics to develop strategies to cope with plant stresses. Another example is: Metagenomics applications, which discussing the importance of metagenomics as a powerful tool for the analysis of genetic materials recovered directly from environmental samples, and to identify and explore the unculturable microorganisms, which could be applied to solve challenges in agriculture, biofuel production, remediation etc. Another example is: Recent advances in stem cell therapy, which discussing the recent research on developing various sources for stem cells and applying it on the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases..etc. In addition to the ongoing approaches of stem cell regenerative medicine. 1450592B Selected Topics in Biotechnology B (-0:) This course will be offered to students enrolled for master s program. Mainly this will explore other topics that are not described in the MSc. program. It will cover recent and varied scientific topics that will enhance the student s knowledge. The course is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge research on different biotechnological areas based on the research interest of the faculty who is teaching the course. The course will investigate recent developments and techniques in the different areas of biotechnology through discussion of lecture material or research articles, and students are expected to write a mini-review and present it in an acceptable format. The delivery of the course materials will include students reading latest reports and primary literature articles and then discussion around these. One example of the topics that could be covered in this course is: Omics approaches for plant stress tolerance, which discussing the recent applications of the different omics technologies including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other omics to develop strategies to cope with plant stresses. Another example is: Metagenomics applications, which discussing the importance of metagenomics as a powerful tool for the analysis of genetic materials recovered directly from environmental samples, and to identify and explore the unculturable microorganisms, which could be applied to solve challenges in agriculture, biofuel production, remediation etc. Another example is: Recent advances in stem cell therapy, which discussing the recent research on developing various sources for stem cells and applying it on the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases..etc. In addition to the ongoing approaches of stem cell regenerative medicine. 1450596 Research Project (0-9:) Prerequisite (Dept. Approval) The research project course is designed to provide non-thesis students with practical skills by accomplishing practical research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will work in a group to review recent literature reviews in their area before embark on laboratory research. The students will pursue well-defined hypotheses to disseminate finding for research publication 142
1450598 Comprehensive Examination (0-0:0) Prerequisite: (Dept. Approval) The Comprehensive Examination is a graduation requirement for students enrolled in a non-thesis M.Sc. in Biotechnology. This examination aims at demonstrating the students knowledge of Biotechnology and its applications. It consists of a written examination held in the rd month of Fall and Spring semesters in the year of graduation; typically the second year. The examination covers areas drawn from the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in Biotechnology at University of Sharjah, such as research, Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Human Genetics, Biotechnology & Genetic Eng. etc., and is update to reflect the changes in curriculums. 1450599 Thesis (0-27:9) Prerequisite: (Dept. Approval) The Master s Degree is concluded with the master s thesis. Here students are expected to show that they are able to handle a scientific problem independently within a maximum period of six months. In the Master Thesis the student shall integrate, deepen and expand his or her knowledge within a restricted area of the practical and theoretical aspects of biotechnology. Project work encourages students to show initiative in their individual work under supervision, using appropriate analytical techniques to generate and interpret new data. Dissertation preparation develops literature researching, presentation and written communication skills essential in professional life. In order to complete the M.Sc. work, the student must pass his/her thesis defense. College of Sciences 14
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