Download Master of Science in Biotechnology

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.
3.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- H
ave 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 3.00 (out of 4.0) or higher. Students with less than 3 may be
accepted conditionally.
3- 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 3 semesters and a
maximum of 8 semesters from the date they are admitted into the program.
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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 31 credit hours of course work, 3 credit hours of research project and a final comprehensive exam.
The minimum degree requirement is 34 credit hours distributed as follows for the thesis and the non-thesis tracks:
Credit Hours
Track 1
Track 2
Compulsory Courses
Course Title
16
13
Elective Courses
15
12
M.Sc. Project
3
-
Comprehensive Examination
0
-
M.Sc. Thesis
-
9
34
34
Total
Curricula
The curricula requirements are classified into the following categories:
a- Compulsory Courses
No.
Course Code
1
1450501
Research Methodology
Course Name
1
2
1450502
Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering
3
3
1450512
Advanced Cell Biology
3
4
1450542
Advanced Human Molecular Genetics
3
5
1450551
Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
3
6
1450596
Research Project
3
7
1450598
Comprehensive Examination
0
8
1450599
M.Sc. Thesis
9
College of Sciences
Components
Credit Hours
135
b- Elective Courses
No.
Course Code
1
1450531
Advanced Microbiology
Course Name
Credit Hours
3
2
1450532
Advanced Immunology
3
3
1450534
Advanced Virology
3
4
1450543
Regulation of Gene Expression
3
5
1450545
Advanced Molecular Developmental Biology
3
6
1450546
Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases
3
7
1450592A
Selected Topics in Biotechnology A
3
8
1450592B
Selected Topics in Biotechnology B
3
9
1450596
Research Project
3
Study Plan
Non-Thesis Track
Study Plan for the M.Sc. Degree in Biotechnology by Non-Thesis
First Year
Fall Semester
Course No.
Course Title
Spring Semester
Cr. Hrs.
Course No.
1450502
Biotechnology & Genetic
Engineering
3
1450512
Advanced Cell Biology
3
1450551
Advanced Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology
3
1450542
Advanced Human Molecular Genetics
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
Total
9
Course Title
Total
Cr. Hrs.
9
Second Year
Fall Semester
Course No.
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
Course No.
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
1450501
Research Methodology
1
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450596
Research Project
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450598
Comprehensive Examination
0
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
Total
136
Spring Semester
10
Total
6
Elective Courses are selected based on the following criteria:
1- A
t least six courses should be taken from Cluster I-III Elective Courses
2- Subject to supervisor and program coordinator’s approval only one graduate course may be taken from Cluster IV
Elective Courses which are offered by College of Medicine.
Thesis Track
Study Plan for the M.Sc. Degree in Biotechnology by Thesis
First Year
Course No.
Course Title
Spring Semester
Cr. Hrs.
Course No.
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
1450502
Biotechnology & Genetic
Engineering
3
1450512
Advanced Cell Biology
3
1450551
Advanced Biochemistry&
Molecular Biology
3
1450542
Advanced Human Molecular Genetics
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
1450xxx
Biotechnology Elective
Course
3
Total
12
Total
12
Second Year
Spring Semester
Course No.
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
1450501
Research Methodology
1
1450599
Thesis
9
Total
College of Sciences
Fall Semester
10
Elective Courses are selected based on the following criteria:
1. At least four courses should be taken from Group I-III Elective Courses
2. S
ubject to supervisor and program coordinator’s approval only one graduate course may be taken from Group IV
Elective Courses which are offered by College of Medicine.
137
M. Sc. Clusters Elective Courses
Cluster I
Course No.
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
1450543
Regulation of Gene Expression
3
1450546
Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases
3
Cluster II
Course No.
1450545
Course Title
Advanced Molecular Developmental Biology
Cr. Hrs.
3
1450592A
Selected Topics in Biotechnology A
3
1450592B
Selected Topics in Biotechnology B
3
Cluster III
Course No.
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
1450531
Advanced Microbiology
3
1450532
Advanced Immunology
3
1450534
Advanced Virology
3
Cluster IV
Course No.
138
Course Title
Cr. Hrs.
0900702
Gene Expression
3
0900703
Biomedical Genomics
3
0900705
Selected Topics in Cell Biology
3
0900709
Selected Topics in Immunology
3
0900711
Selected Topics in Molecular Biology
3
Course Descriptions
1450501
Research Methodology
(1-0:1)
Prerequisite: None
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
(3-0:3)
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
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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.
1450531
Advanced Microbiology
College of Sciences
Prerequisite: None
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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.
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1450532
Advanced Immunology
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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: T
he 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.
1450534
Advanced Virology
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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
1450543
Regulation of Gene Expression
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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
(3-0:3)
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
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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…
1450551
Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
College of Sciences
Prerequisite: None
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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
(3-0:3)
Prerequisite: None
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
(0-9:3)
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 3rd 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)
In order to complete the M.Sc. work, the student must pass his/her thesis defense.
College of Sciences
The Master’s Degree Course 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.
143
A
144