Department of Biological Sciences

Programs

Department of Biological Sciences is currently offering an undergraduate degree program in Molecular Biology and Genetics (BS degree), Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology (MS degree), as well as a minor degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics.

Accreditations

ASIIN: Accreditation Agency for Degree Programmes in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Accreditation Agency for Degree Programmes in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
https://www.asiin.de
Accredited Programs: Molecular Biology and Genetics (B.S.) Medical Biotechnology (without Thesis) (M.S.)

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with an education that complements theoretical information with technical laboratory skills, while giving students opportunities for personal growth and for building a knowledge base for fruitful careers. The research and teaching interests of the department members include fundamental, as well as medically relevant, problems in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, cell biology, human genetics, cancer biology, stem cell biology, assisted reproductive technologies, microbial biotechnology, environmental and population genetics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics. Our mission includes further development of educational and research opportunities in these fields, and efficient transfer of up-to-date knowledge in these fields to our students. Furthermore, our mission includes further strengthening our educational capacities by improvement of research laboratories, expansion of existing graduate programs, and development of new high impact research clusters. In addition, our department is also committed to offering a number of courses for non-majors in form of a minor program; in order to provide those students with opportunities to learn and think about the larger issues in the biological sciences, and thus serves the society in general by promoting education in biological sciences.

Administration

Chair:
Asst. Prof. Dr. BURAK ALİ ÇİÇEK

Vice Chair(s):

Departmental Facilities

Students of the Molecular Biology and Genetics undergraduate program and Medical Biotechnology graduate program obtain their main technical education on molecular biology and genetics laboratory skills at the Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory housed by the Biological Sciences Department within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In addition, they also benefit from the chemistry, physics, computer and audio-visual technology facilities of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Publications offered by the Eastern Mediterranean University Library, allow the students to access and explore the latest literature in different fields of biological sciences. EMU Biological Sciences Department has various on-going collaborations with national and international universities, institutions and private establishments regarding students' internship opportunities. Additionally, successful students of the program are offered the opportunity to take part as an assistant researcher in projects carried out by the department's academic staff.

With the current Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory equipment, undergraduate and graduate students are able to perform several different molecular experiments, some of which are listed below:

• Isolation of DNA from different cell types
• Restriction Enzyme digestion on DNA samples
• Gel electrophoresis
• PCR reactions
• Transformation of bacterial cells
• RNA isolation
• cDNA synthesis
• DNA and RNA quantification
• Real-time PCR
• Primer design
• Bacterial isolation by dilution
• Bacterial isolation and identification
• Quantification of anti-microbial activity
• Manual isolation of genomic DNA
• Bacterial plasmid DNA isolation

Distinguishing Attributes

What most significantly distinguishes our programs from other similar ones is that both our undergraduate and our graduate program are accredited by YÖK (Turkish Higher Education Council); as well as by ASIIN, a German-based international accreditation agency. Both our Molecular Biology and Genetics undergraduate program and our Medical Biotechnology graduate program are accredited by ASIIN until 2027. As emphasized by these accreditations, Department of Biological Sciences has state-of-the-art student laboratories. Our curricula follow international standards and are run by experienced academic staff. One of our main distinguishing attributes of the Department is offering education in a truly multi-cultural education setting, achieved by a very high number of international students from all over the world. Our teams prioritizes providing contemporary quality education to our students.

Major Accomplishments

Both undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences are accredited by YÖK (Turkish Higher Education Council); as well as by ASIIN, A German-based international accreditation agency. Molecular Biology and Genetics undergraduate program and Medical Biotechnology Master’s program both follow up-to-date curricula with international standards. Internationally educated and trained faculty members bring many areas of strengths to the Department of Biological Sciences including teaching and research, in a setting where quality laboratory opportunities exist, as proved by these accreditations. Both programs are accredited until 2027.

Quality of Graduates

Department of Biological Sciences offers an engaging and academically rigorous undergraduate program that addresses the national need for professionally trained scientists and scientifically literate citizens. Department members take active roles in using their research to shape undergraduate education and make real-life research experiences available to our graduates. The Department strives to ensure that the students gain a state-of-the-art education in Molecular Biology and Genetics. Our program is designed in accordance with internationally recognized programs, is accredited and is comparable with those in well-established universities in Turkey, Europe and the U.S.A. Most of our graduates move to Europe for their Master’s and PhD degrees. Similarly, our Medical Biotechnology Master’s program graduates continue on to PhD degrees in prestigious universities abroad, especially in Europe.

Career Opportunities

Following the successful completion of the 4-year undergraduate curriculum, program graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. Upon receiving this degree, graduates have the necessary foundation to further their education in relevant post-graduate programs. Students will be able to continue their further graduate education in various national and international academic settings. Some of our students choose to continue with our own Master’s program in Medical Biotechnology. A larger group move onto graduate programs in Europe. In addition, graduates have the opportunity to find employment in variety of fields including:

• Medical settings
• Private hospitals
• State hospitals
• Teaching
• Bioinformatics sector
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Biotechnology industries
• Private diagnostic laboratories
• Research institutes
• Agricultural sector
• Environmental sector

Contact