Overview

The graduate program in Biological Sciences at LAU is committed to fostering a culture of scientific exploration and equipping graduates with the essential research skills and ethical standards needed for successful careers in academia, industry, and beyond. Our program is designed to cultivate a passion for inquiry and discovery, empowering students to push the boundaries of knowledge within their chosen fields of study. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on laboratory experience, and mentorship from esteemed faculty, students develop the critical thinking abilities and technical proficiency required to excel in today’s dynamic scientific landscape.

At the core of our program is a dedication to upholding the highest ethical standards in research and scholarship. We instill in our graduates a deep sense of responsibility towards the scientific community and society as a whole, ensuring that they approach their work with integrity. Upon completion of our program, graduates emerge as skilled researchers, leaders, and innovators poised to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of biological sciences and the betterment of society.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the M.S. in Biological Sciences program are to:

1. prepare graduates to remain abreast of the most recent advances in biological sciences.
2. prepare graduates for more advanced graduate studies and research-oriented careers.

Learning Outcomes

Students in the M.S. in Biological Sciences will be able to:

1. integrate advanced concepts in molecular biology, genomics, and cell biology.
2. examine mechanisms and pathways in biochemistry and protein chemistry
3. evaluate recent and groundbreaking advances in biological sciences
4. enhance analytical skills through conducting research in biological sciences and communicating results.

Curriculum

Graduation from the M.S. in Biological Sciences requires completing 30 credits, distributed as follows:

• Biological Sciences Core Courses (9 credits)
• Elective Courses (15 credits)
• Thesis (6 credits)

Biological Sciences Core Courses (9 credits)

• BIO611 Molecular Biology and Genomics (3 cr.)
• BIO613 Cell Biology 3cr (3 cr.)
• BCH612 Biochemistry: Macromolecular Structure and Function (3 cr.)
• BIO600 Graduate Seminar (0 cr.)

Elective Courses (15 credits)

• BIO605 Research Tools (3 cr.)
• BIO621 Model Organism Genetics (3 cr.)
• BIO622 Human Genetics and epidemiology (3 cr.)
• BIO631 Tumor Markers and Target Cancer Therapeutics (3 cr.)
• BIO632 Advances in Epigenetics and Therapeutics (3 cr.)
• BIO633 Signaling in cancer malignancy and metastasis  (3 cr.)
• BIO623 Quantitative imaging of cells (3 cr.)
• BIO660 Bioinformatics tools and applications (3 cr.)
• BIO625 Proteomics (3 cr.)
• BIO645 Diagnostic Microbiology and Immunology (3 cr.)
• BIO648 Fungal Genetics and Pathogenicity (3 cr.)
• BIO646 Microbial Pathogenesis (3 cr.)
• BIO681 Special topics in Biology (3 cr.)

Thesis (6 credits)

• BIO699 Thesis (6 cr.)

The thesis can be in the following fields of research: Microbial Genomics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Cancer Therapeutics, Clinical Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Human Genetics, Fungal Genetics, and Neurobiology.

Recommended Study Plan

(Students Admitted in the Fall Semester)

Year One

Fall (6 credits)

• BIO611 Molecular Biology and Genomics (3 cr.)
• BIO613 Cell Biology (3 cr.)
• BIO600 Graduate Seminar (0 cr.)

Spring (6 credits)

• BCH612 Biochemistry: Macromolecular Structure and Function (3 cr.)
• Elective Course (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (12 credits)

• Elective Course (3 cr.)
• Elective Course (3 cr.)
• BIO699 Thesis (6 cr.)

Spring (6 credits)

• Elective Course (3 cr.)
• Elective Course (3 cr.)