Assaad Eid
| Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education |
| Elias Rahal | Director of the Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Medicine |
| Wassim Abou Kheir | Director of Graduate Student Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine |
| Ali Nabbouh | Graduate Student Officer |
| Jana Abou Orm | Administrative Assistant
|
The graduate program in biomedical sciences is designed to provide a multidisciplinary educational and training environment that will prepare students for independent research and teaching careers. It is centered in the Faculty of Medicine, where investigative collaborations among basic and clinical scientists are fostered. The program emphasizes concepts and state-of-the-art techniques of molecular and cellular medicine, and integrates students into the extensive and rapidly expanding translational research programs. Students may choose a discipline of study from the several research areas/programs offered by the Faculty of Medicine.
For general requirements about graduate study at AUB, refer to the Admissions section of this catalogue.
MS Disciplines
| Biochemistry | Refer to Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics |
Human Morphology | Refer to Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences |
Microbiology and Immunology | Refer to Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology |
| Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Refer to Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology |
Physiology | Refer to Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences |
Neurosciences (Interfaculty) | Refer to Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences
|
Admission to MS Programs
For admission as a regular student and admission on probation, refer to the Admissions section.
Course and Thesis Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits of graduate course work with a minimum GPA of 3.3. Graduate students who intend to apply to the medical program should complete 21 credits of graduate courses, 10 credits of which are not integral to the structured medical curriculum. Those with a degree in dental or veterinary medicine are required to complete a minimum of 15 credits of graduate course work. In addition, all students must pass a comprehensive examination and complete a thesis project equivalent to 9 credits. The thesis must be presented and defended to the satisfaction of the examining committee.
Students following the non-thesis master’s program are required to take a minimum of 30 graduate-credit hours, 3 credits of which may be a project and should follow a course of study approved by the department/program and the concerned faculty Graduate Studies Committee.
PhD Program
Mission
The mission of the doctoral program in biomedical sciences (DBMS) is to provide excellent educational and research opportunities for students to develop into independent researchers and educators who will enrich the research and teaching output from Lebanon, the Middle East and beyond. The program will provide the students with the theoretical foundations and the special skills and attitudes that will allow them to develop their critical thinking and creative potential, conduct high caliber research in the biomedical sciences, contribute to the advancement of science, uphold the principles of intellectual honesty and become leaders in their chosen fields of study.
Program Objectives
Students graduating with a doctorate in biomedical sciences should be able to demonstrate expertise in:
1. Research Methods:
- Designing experiments within the discipline of biomedical science.
- Executing experiments within the discipline of biomedical science.
- Analyzing quantitative research output related to the discipline of biomedical science.
2. Advanced Core Knowledge in Biomedical Sciences:
- Analyzing advanced core concepts, research and theories in different areas of study within biomedical science.
3. Scholarly Communication Skills:
- Communicating scientific written and oral material in clear, detailed and well-structured formats consistent with high standards of the discipline of biomedical science.
4. Professionalism and Ethical Research Conduct:
- Applying professionalism and ethical research conduct in the discipline of biomedical science.
5. Independent Research and Original Contribution to Knowledge:
- Producing original and independent research that contributes to knowledge in biomedical science.
6. Pedagogy and Teaching:
- Employing teaching activities focused on student learning related to biomedical science.
PhD Disciplines
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Cell Biology of Cancer
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Neurosciences
- Nutrition (Interfaculty)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology
Academic Governance
Oversight of the DBMS program occurs at three levels: at the PhD Program Committee level with faculty representation from programs of study and the coordinator of the PhD program, at the Faculty of Medicine dean’s office represented by the Faculty of Medicine Graduate Studies Committee and at the university level through the Board of Graduate Studies.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program will be on a competitive basis. Students eligible for admission to the DBMS must have a sound academic record (GPA: 3.7) or its equivalent in the major field of study, a demonstrated, genuine interest in biomedical research and research experience.
Minimum requirements for admission into the program are the following:
- Applicants with a master’s (MS), medical doctor (MD), pharmacist (Pharm D or equivalent), veterinarian doctor (VMD), dental doctor (DMD, DDS), will be considered for admission into the program.
- Students should provide three letters of recommendation.
- Students should have prior laboratory experience, including wet lab skills.
- Applicants to the graduate program, other than AUB graduates and graduates of colleges or universities recognized and located in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, must meet the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE). Refer to catalogue section on Readiness for University Studies in English.
- Provide a personal statement (500 words maximum).
- Students should be interviewed by the PhD Committee members.
- Students should be recommended for admission by the PhD Committee.
PhD program applications are accepted for fall admission only.
Financial Support
The PhD program offers, on a competitive basis, substantial support which fully covers tuition and includes a monthly stipend and housing. In return, students are expected to help in teaching and in proctoring exams.
Program Requirements
29 credit hours of course work beyond the master’s program are required. To fulfill course requirements, 16 required core courses (34 credits), in addition to elective courses, are offered. Students are expected to register for 24 credits of thesis.
Upon admission into the program, students will be advised by the coordinator of the PhD program. After the first year, students will have selected a thesis adviser who will design the set of elective courses to meet students’ research interests and career goals. Students’ course of study will be designed individually in light of the students’ interests and career goals. All the duties of the coordinator of the PhD program will be transferred to the students’ thesis adviser, who must be selected no later than the end of the first year for students entering the program.
Core Courses
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First Year
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Credits
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| BIOC 321 | Nucleic Acids and Basic Genetics | 1 | Required |
| BIOC 322 | Protein Biochemistry | 1 | Required |
| BIOC 323 | Cellular Metabolism and Regulation | 2 | Required |
| PHYL 310 | Cell Physiology and Biophysics | 3 | Required |
| BIOC 325 | Receptor and Signal Transduction | 2 | Required |
| HUMR 305 | Cell and Tissue Biology | 3 | Required |
| MBIM 320 | Microbiology and Immunology | 3 | Required |
| BIOM 491A | Laboratory Rotation | 1 | Required |
| BIOM 491B | Laboratory Rotation | 1 | Required |
| HUMR 314 | Seminar and Journal Club | 1 | Required |
| EDUC 401 | Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (C-THE) | 0 | Required |
| EDUC 402 | Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (C-THE) II | 0 | Required
|
| HUMR 310A | Biomedical Research Techniques: Module A | 1 | Required |
| HUMR 310B | Biomedical Research Techniques: Module B | 1 | Required |
| HUMR 310C | Biomedical Research Techniques: Module C | 1 | Required |
| PHRM 302 | Principles of Drug Action | 1 | Required |
| BIOM 385 | Research Ethics | 1 | Required
|
|
Second Year
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Credits
|
| EPHD 310 | Biostatistics | 3 | Required |
IDTH 301 | Introduction to Medical Science Literature
Organ Physiology (Ph.D. candidates: can choose one of these as elective) | 2 | Required |
| PHRM 303 | Comprehensive Pharmacology | 1 | Required |
| At least one of the following electives: |
| PHYL 302 | Neuroanatomy | 2 | Elective |
| IDTH 308A | Neuroanatomy | 3 | Elective |
| IDTH 308B | Neurophysiology | 3 | Elective |
| PHYL 300 | Pulmonary – Renal | 2 | Elective |
| PHYL 304 | GL – Endocrine – Reproductive | 3 | Elective
|
For other elective courses, refer to MS disciplines.
| BIOC Courses | Refer to Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics |
| HUMR Courses | Refer to Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences |
| PHYL Courses | Refer to Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences |
| IDTH Courses | Refer to Interdepartmental Courses – Graduate Program |
| PHRM Courses | Refer to Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology |
| MBIM Courses | Refer to Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology
|
Course Descriptions
PhD Thesis Requirements
Thesis Committee
The PhD Thesis Committee should consist of at least five members. Two members should be from outside AUB, and the chair of the PhD Thesis Committee should be a faculty member holding the rank of a full professor and different from the thesis adviser. Refer to PhD Thesis Committee under General University Academic Information section.
Thesis Defense
After qualifying as a PhD candidate, students will focus on the doctoral research with continued participation in seminars. The doctoral research, once completed, will be presented publicly, and defended immediately after in front of the PhD Thesis Committee. Prior to the defense, all major revisions to the thesis must be completed. The decision of the committee will be by consensus. Refer to PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information section.
Publication Requirements
PhD students should have published one journal publication and one abstract in an international conference related to their thesis topics.
Candidacy and Residency Requirements
All students admitted to the PhD program must successfully complete the qualifying exam part I (written) and qualifying exam part II (oral defense of thesis proposal).
To satisfy the minimum residency requirements for the PhD degree, all students must register and be in residence for at least three years beyond the completion of the master’s degree. The requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy must be completed within a period of 5 years after joining the PhD program. Extension beyond the 5-year period will require Graduate Council approval upon the recommendation of the faculty Graduate Studies Committee.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a PhD degree in biomedical sciences, students must fulfill the following graduation requirements:
- Attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 at the PhD level.
- Pass qualifying exams part I and II.
- Pass the PhD thesis defense.
- Satisfy the minimum residency requirements.
- Have a first author publication (original paper) in a leading international journal, based on the PhD research.
- Have at least one accepted abstract (first author) in an international conference, based on the PhD research.
- Satisfy all pertinent AUB regulations.
In addition to the AUB general requirements for graduate study, the Faculty of Medicine graduate study requirements and regulations are as follows:
- Application and Notification of Acceptance: For application submission deadlines and admissions decision notifications, refer to Application Procedures under the Admissions section.
- Acceptance: Acceptance offers are issued in duplicates including category offered, registration period and date of start of classes. These dates are mentioned in the university calendar issued annually by the Office of the Registrar.
- Candidates must sign a copy of the above letter indicating acceptance and return it to the Office of Admissions at the due date. If acceptance letters are not signed and sent back by the set deadline, positions will be re-assigned to candidates on the waiting list.
- Periods of Study: The graduate program, once initiated, proceeds without interruption through the first term, the second term and the summer term.
- Transfer Students: See Transfer of Credits into a PhD Degree Program under General University Academic Information section.
- Visiting Graduate Students: is a status applicable to students who pay a fee to attend a period of observership in an ongoing research project.
- Exchange students: is a status applicable to students who participate in the graduate program in accordance with formal agreements between the Faculty of Medicine and other institutions.
In all instances, candidates must submit applications which are reviewed and acted upon by the Graduate Studies Committee.
Leave of Absence
Refer to Leave of Absence under General University Academic Information section.
Interdepartmental Courses– Graduate Program