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Science - Biochemistry

  • Degree: Master
  • Campus: Debbieh
  • Faculty: Science
  • Department: Biological Sciences

Program Description

The Master of Science in Biochemistry is designed for students who have undergraduate degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry and wish to pursue advanced studies in Biochemistry. The program includes an intensive research experience and a written thesis and is designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in biomedical sciences. Students will be well prepared for employment opportunities or for application to highly competitive Ph.D.

To obtain the Master's Degree in Biochemistry, the student has to successfully complete a total of 36 credit hours, including 30 credit hours of coursework with a CGPA of no less than 2.33, and successfully defend the thesis (6 credit hours) in no less than two years.


Chairperson: Dr. Mahmoud Khalil

Associate Professors: Dr. Jamilah Borjac, and Dr. Dalia El Badan.

Assistant Professors: Dr. Ghada Khawaja, Dr. Nawal El Hakawati, Dr. Rana El Hajj, Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab.


The mission of the Biochemistry Master Program is to provide research-based graduate training and accredited high-quality education beyond traditional boundaries. It seeks distinction in knowledge production that encompasses different fields. Our research mission is to create new concepts to solve novel scientific issues.

The objectives of the Master's program in Biochemistry are to:
  1. Provide graduate students with advances in biochemical concepts and principles.
  2. Arrange for students to become familiar with the latest techniques in biochemistry and related disciplines such as molecular biology.
  3. Guide students to become independent scientists.
  4. Train students to develop proficiency in critical analysis of scientific research problems.
  5. Educate students about the methods of disseminating their knowledge to others.
  6. Promote the capacity for lifelong learning.

  1. Knowledge and understanding:

    1. Discussing the fundamental concepts in biochemistry, including protein structure and function, and metabolic pathways.
    2. Discussing the mechanisms of disease incidence and the strategies to treat human diseases at the molecular and cellular levels.
    3. Mastering the aspects of the modern disciplines of biochemistry at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels.
    4. Describing advanced experimental techniques of biochemistry.
    5. Merging knowledge of biochemistry and related disciplines such as molecular biology, biotechnology, and biomedical science.
    6. Acquiring knowledge about using computational tools and software for data analysis.
    7. State the ethical principles of the discipline for citing sources, using human subjects, and teamwork.

  2. Intellectual abilities:

    1. Tackling challenging scientific questions in the field of biology.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to conduct research projects, analyze the obtained data, and draw reasonable conclusions or interpretations.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and utilize scientific literature.
    4. Demonstrate skills and expertise in biochemistry for various career opportunities.
    5. Use critical thinking and principles of logic to evaluate problems in biochemistry disciplines.
    6. Show the ability to pursue further education as independent lifelong professional learning.
    7. Develop the strategy of critical thinking, making hypotheses, selecting results, and analyzing.

  3. Professional and Practical Competencies:

    1. Acquire the ability to design experimental biochemical and molecular approaches and strategies to solve biochemical problems.
    2. Obtain the ability to conduct research projects in biochemistry.
    3. Using laboratory instruments efficiently.
    4. Conduct the experimental results and observations clearly and draw scientific conclusions.
    5. Prepare relevant research articles in peer-reviewed journals.

  4. General and transferable skills:

    1. Express scientific information clearly and precisely, through oral or written means.
    2. Work effectively in a professional or laboratory setting.
    3. Acknowledge the necessity for long learning.
    4. Work effectively independently or in a team.

The minimum study period for a master’s degree is two years and the maximum is five years from the date of enrolment in the program.

  1. Graduate studies in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, and related life science programs.
    1. Employment in the fields of forensic science, food science, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.
    2. Teaching biochemistry and molecular biology courses.
    3. Researcher in research laboratories and facilities, industries, and governmental agencies.
    4. Lab Analyst
    5. Graduates can specialize in the following disciplines: Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Clinical Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Immunology


    Program Requirements Credits
    Core Courses 18
    Elective Courses 12
    Thesis 6
    Total 36

    The program utilizes a number of well-equipped laboratories for practical work and research. The Laboratories serving the program are:

    1. Biology Laboratory
    2. Biology Research Laboratory
    3. Microbiology Laboratory
    4. Biochemistry Laboratory
    5. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Specialized Laboratory
    6. Microbiology Specialized Laboratory
    7. Tissue Culture Laboratory
    8. Animal House Facility (Breeding Room)
    9. Animal House Facility (for Post Graduate Students)

    Study Plan:

    Course Code Course Title Credits Hours Distribution Course Type
    First Semester
    BCHM620 Advanced Physical Biochemistry 3 (3Crs.: 3Lec) MC
    BCHM621 Advanced Metabolic Biochemistry 3 (3Crs.: 3Lec) MC
    BIOL650 Advanced Topics In Molecular Biology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) MC
    RETH669 Research Ethics 1 (1Cr.: 1Lec) MC
    ------- Elective (Dept) 6 (6crs.) MC
    Second Semester
    BCHM611 Protein Structure And Function 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) MC
    BIOL680 Individual Studies 2 (2Crs.: 2Lec) MC
    ------- Elective (Dept) 6 (6crs.) MC
    Third Semester
    BCHM690 Thesis 6 (6 Crs.) MC
    BIOL682 Research Techniques 3 (3Crs.: 2Lec, 2Lab) MC

    Elective Courses (EC)

    Course Code Course Title Credits Hours Distribution Course Type
    BCHM613 Advanced Biochemistry 3 (3Crs.: 3Lec) EC
    BCHM614 Advanced Applications Of Bioinformatics 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) EC
    BCHM616 Mammalian Toxicology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) EC
    BCHM618 Special Topics In Enzymes 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) EC
    BCHM619 Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management 3 (3Crs.: 3Lec) EC
    BIOL626 Biodiversity and Pollution 3 (3Crs.: 2Lec, 2Lab) EC
    BIOL651 Advanced Microbiology 3 (3Crs.: 2Lec, 2Lab) EC
    BIOL652 Advanced Cell Biology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) EC
    BIOL653 Advanced Immunology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) EC
    BIOL655 Neurobiology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) EC
    MATH645 Applied Statistics 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) EC