Masters In Biological Sciences

The Master of Science in Biology program is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge in major areas of biological sciences. Students can choose either a thesis based program (Plan I) or a course based program (Plan II).

Plan I program (Thesis Track) requires successful completion of a 24 credits of graduate-level courses covering the following core areas:

1. Cell Biology/Biochemistry

2. Molecular Biology/ Microbiology

3. Animal Biology and Plant Biology

Students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 and are required to complete 9 credit hours of thesis research under the guidance of a faculty member. Students are expected to perform original research, with the presentation of an acceptable thesis embodying the results of the research work.

Plan II program (Non-Thesis Track) requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of appropriate course work and are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 . The Plan II does not require research and does not require a formal thesis; however, students are required to pass a comprehensive exam covering the core areas listed above.​

The department of biological sciences offers two separate graduate programs, the master’s degree for both thesis and non-thesis; both are serving the students with academic courses in different disciplines of biological sciences ranging from, molecular, microbiological, zoological, botanical, biochemical and ecological basis; these academic courses together with the applied scientific research projects in different topics of biological sciences are facilitating the students’ mission to find jobs in the academic and specialized research canters.

The program aspires students to find careers in research and teaching. The students are trained to achieve academic and research excellence in the fields of modern biology. The students are conducting research on a wide array of multidisciplinary topics in biological sciences spanning from plant sciences, animal sciences, microbial, ecological, biochemical and molecular levels. The graduate studies at the biological sciences department continues to develop the modern scientific approaches in the different fields of biological sciences to catch up with the prevailing modern tracks in biological sciences and their applications at local and global levels, that would also facilitate the mission of our graduates to participate in confidently and professionally.

1. Accept highly qualified BSc students in biology.

2. Provide students with advanced knowledge through the offered advanced courses in major fields of biology.

3. Emphasise scientific and critical thinking through discussion of scientific papers in the classroom and enhances communication skills.

4. Provide students with the necessary knowledge for scientific writing of term papers, research proposal and scientific presentation to enhance their confidence and show leadership.

5. Utilize advanced knowledge and technology of biological sciences in teaching and conducting scientific research projects.

6. Demonstrate skills in scientific writing of literature for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

7. Apply high-standards of laboratory safety.

8. Solve potential problems arising from conducting scientific research experiments of biological sciences.

9. Providing a carder of specialist graduates capable of serving the community and providing modern technical consultation for the society.

10. Encourage and enhance the intellectual, research, and critical evaluation and communication skills for the students, to guarantee a well capable graduate ready to proceed with further graduate studies.

General rules & conditions for the degree of Master in Biological Sciences/Thesis Track

1. The plan for this program conforms to valid UJ regulations for graduate studies programs.

2. Specialties of admission:

a. First Priority Majors: B.Sc. in Biological Sciences or equivalent, B.Sc. in Medical Analysis or equivalent, B.Sc. in Biochemistry, B.Sc. in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, B.Sc. in Microbiology or equivalent.

b. Second Priority Majors: B.Sc. in Pharmacy, B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences, and B.Sc. in Medicine or Veterinary Medicine.

Special Conditions:

1- Students must be committed to full time dedication for research for at least one academic year after the approval of the theses proposal.

2- A minimum interval of two academic semesters must be secured between thesis proposal approval and thesis defense.

3- The number of admitted students is assigned at the beginning of an academic year based on the vacancies in each specialty in the department.

4- Faculty members' supervision on students' thesis is mandatory in accordance with the Deans' Council decision number 53/2015, dated 21/12/2015.