MSc in Molecular Life Sciences - Khalifa University

The MSc in Molecular Life Sciences (MMLS) program contributes to Khalifa University’s desire to become a center of excellence in science, engineering, and medicine within the region and beyond. The program supports the University’s alignment with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan through the provision of internationally excellent education and student experience in Science, resulting in highly skilled Science professionals capable of transferring state-of-the-art technologies in priority sectors of industry, business and government

The program aims to offer comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of Molecular Life Sciences to students interested in pursuing careers in life sciences or medicine-related fields. It will produce graduate students who are critical thinkers with the ability to use their scientific knowledge to solve problems in life sciences and effectively communicate them to various stakeholders.

Program Educational Objectives

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

Examine and explain fundamental and advanced knowledge and research methods in life sciences, with emphasis on cellular and molecular biology
Retrieve, analyze and critique published scientific data
Plan, design, and conduct scientific experiments in biological sciences to address a specific question, independently and safely
Analyze and interpret results following highest ethical, scientific, and professional standards
Communicate effectively scientific results orally and in written forms to diverse audiences

The normal length of the program is 30 credit hours. To be recommended for graduation with an MSc in Molecular Life Sciences, students must satisfactorily complete the courses in the specified categories as set out as follows – at least 15 credit hours of BIOL courses (12 credit hours of core required courses and at least 3 credits hours of BIOL electives), 6 credit hours of additional electives, as well as 9 credit hours of thesis research. Additionally, students have to submit a written thesis which is evaluated by the examination committee, as well as satisfactorily defend their thesis research in a viva format.

MSc in Molecular Life Sciences (30 Credit Hours)

Core		12
BIOL 601	Research Methods in Biosciences	3
BIOL 695	Graduate Seminar 1	1
BIOL 696	Graduate Seminar 2	1
BIOL 602	Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology	3
BIOL 603	Experimental Techniques in Molecular Life Sciences	4
Electives		9
3-9 Credit Hours from Group A (BIOL courses)
BIOL 610	Protein Biochemistry	3
BIOL 620	Cell Signaling and Cancer Biology	3
BIOL 630	Applied Biotechnology	3
BIOL 640	Advanced Virology	3
BIOL 650	Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases	3
0-6 Credit Hours from Group B (Non-BIOL courses)
BMED 611	Clinical Pathology	3
BMED 612	Molecular Genetics and Genome Technologies	3
BMED 640	Biomaterials for Drug Delivery	3
Thesis Research		9
BIOL 699		9

BIOL 601

Research Methods in Biosciences (3 hrs Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and enrollment in the MSc Molecular Biosciences program

This course will provide students with a solid understanding of research methodology and its specific application to bioscience research. Topics covered include the theory of research, bioethics, experimental design, analysis and interpretation of data, statistics, review and critique of primary bioscience literature, scientific writing with proper use of citations, and presenting scientific data to both life scientists and the general public. The course assessments will include in-class assignments, a semester exam, the submission of a scientific writing assignment, and two in-class oral presentations.

BIOL 602

Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology (3 hrs Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in microbiology or virology and graduate standing

This is an advanced graduate-level course in biology that covers the classic and contemporaneous concepts of cell structure/organization, its dynamics, and the key molecular mechanisms controlling cell function. The first part of the course consists of an overview of the major cellular structures and components and their function in cell communication, trafficking/transport/secretion, cell division/proliferation/survival/death, cell motility, and gene expression. The second part will be dedicated to the major cell signaling pathways controlling these aspects of the cell and their molecular components. Students will also be exposed to recent developments in the field based on primary literature.

BIOL 603

Experimental Techniques in Molecular Life Sciences (3 hrs Lecture, 1 Laboratory – 4 Credits)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in Biology (any stream) + Graduate standing

This course is devised to build the necessary experimental skillset for the students to perform, analyze, and interpret scientific experiments in molecular life sciences. Importantly, the students will learn about the experimental techniques in 3 main domains: a) Computational methods and bioinformatics, b) techniques in different research themes that are protein-focused, and c) those that are based on the analysis of genetic material such as DNA and RNA. The course will also teach students the utility of experimental methods in microscopy that are used to determine and interpret certain outcomes in domains b) and c).

BIOL 610

Protein Biochemistry (3 hrs Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in Biochemistry + Graduate standing

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of proteins and different approaches cells use to regulate their activity. A significant portion of the course will focus on enzymes, their mechanism of action, steady-state kinetics, and their inhibition. Different approaches used for protein purification, as well as various analytical techniques, including immune-assays, to detect proteins will also be discussed.

BIOL 620

Cell Signaling and Cancer Biology (3 hrs Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in Biology (any stream) + Graduate standing

The course aims to provide an updated view and advanced knowledge of the molecular and cellular basis of cancer. This covers the different dysregulations of the cellular and molecular processes leading to carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis, including those controlling the cell cycle as well as the key cell signaling pathways. A special focus will be given to the major receptors and signaling proteins involved in the control of cell proliferation, survival, migration, and death (cell cycle checkpoints, tumor suppressors, cellular and viral oncogenes, apoptosis, immune checkpoints).

BIOL 630

Applied Biotechnology (3 hrs. Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in Biology (any stream) + Graduate standing

This course is devised to introduce students to the wide variety of biotechnology applications. Topics in enzymology, vaccinology, environment and agriculture will be the main focus areas. Additionally, the students will get a sneak peek into biotech-related entrepreneurship, intellectual property rights, patenting, and marketing.

BIOL 640

Advanced Virology (3 hrs Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in microbiology or virology and graduate standing.

This course will allow students to advance their knowledge of molecular biology related to medically important viruses. The course will cover viral classification and the viral life cycle processes (entry, host interaction/immune evasion, and replication). It is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of these processes by exploring detailed examples provided by different viruses. In addition, the course will also discuss other important aspects of virology, including modern viral diagnostic methods, viral evolution in persistent viruses (such as HIV, influenza, and coronaviruses), antivirals, and the use of viruses as biotechnology tools. Course assessments will include a midterm, final exam, and short presentation aimed at educating the general public.

BIOL 650

Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (3 hrs Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 3 Credits)

Prerequisite: BSc in Biology (any stream) + Graduate standing

This course introduces the current understanding and critical evaluation of metabolic and endocrine health. The course discusses the molecular basis of selected hormone production, signaling, and metabolic functions. It also discusses pathophysiological factors, both molecular and acquired, that lead to a variety of metabolic diseases and their associated co-morbidities. These disorders include diabetes mellitus, obesity, and a variety of cardiovascular diseases.

BIOL 695

Graduate Seminar – Thesis Research (1 hr Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 1 Credit)

Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in Biology (any stream) + Graduate standing

This course provides students with essential science communication tools, allowing them to compose and present seminars to a diverse audience. While the course is focused on seminar presentations, other formats of communication, such as social media, will also be introduced. Students will develop their ability to recognize effective life sciences communications by critically analyzing seminars presented by faculty, visiting scholars, and their peers. Furthermore, students will also practice preparing and delivering presentations and receiving feedback on their performance, which will develop their skills in delivering high-quality presentations describing their research topics and related areas.

BIOL 696

Graduate Seminar – Thesis Research (1 hr Lecture, 0 Laboratory – 1 Credit)

Prerequisite: BIOL 695 and a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work and 9 credit hours of graduate research work

This course builds on skills learned in BIOL 695 and enhances students’ skills in scientific communication. Through another series of seminars given by faculty, visiting scholars, and fellow graduate students, students will further broaden their knowledge and skills in recognizing effective scientific communication. By practicing preparing and delivering presentations of varying lengths and styles and receiving feedback on their performance, students will develop the ability to deliver their thesis seminar presentations describing their research topics to fellow students and faculty members.

A typical study plan for students enrolled in the PhD in Molecular Life Sciences is shown below.

Year 1
Semester 1	Semester 2
BIOL 601 Research Methods in Biosciences	BIOL 695 Graduate Seminar 1
BIOL 602 Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology	Elective 1
BIOL 603 Experimental Technology in Molecular Life Sciences	Elective 2
	BIOL 699 Thesis Research
Year 2
Semester 3	Semester 4
BIOL 696 Graduate Seminar 2	BIOL 699 Thesis Research
Elective 3
BIOL 699 Thesis Research

Students must consult with their respective advisors on the courses that they will enroll in, the required pre-requisites, and the thesis topic selection. Full-time graduate students must register for 9 to 12 credits, including thesis credits, during a regular semester (Fall and Spring) and a maximum of 6 credits during a Summer term. In the case of part-time students, the credit load is normally 6 credits during a regular semester as well as the summer term.

Students can only register for thesis credits after successfully completing a minimum of 9 credits of the core courses of the master’s program they are enrolled in. It is to be noted that the minimum pass grade for graduate courses is a “C” letter grade. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog to learn about the graduate programs, the grading system, graduation requirements, and other pertinent matters.