Introduction
The College of Medicine, while consolidating on its undergraduate innovative educational programs, initiated postgraduate programs offering Master and Ph.D. degrees in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research. The program started in mid-2016.

The College has succeeded in establishing strategic alliances with leading universities and institutions in Germany, Canada, Australia and U.S.A.  Agreements have been signed by His Highness, Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qassimi, with Lubeck University in Germany to support postgraduate training and research in laboratories that have earned an international reputation. An important aspect of the agreement with Lubeck University is to establish a joint supervision of a Master and PhD programs in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research where the degrees are awarded by the two universities.  Similar agreements are underway between University of Sharjah and McGill University as well as University of Ottawa in Canada.

The Master and PhD programs will be the cornerstone of the Sharjah Institute for medical research at the University of Sharjah.  

Program Objectives
The objectives of the PhD program in Molecular Medicine is to train PhD students to the highest standards of modern education in the field of Medicine.  Graduates of the program should be able to perform independent and high quality research; they should also be able to present their works with great confidence. Ability to write scientific manuscripts and grant applications in the field of Molecular Medicine is also part of the education process. Emphasis of the program is placed on diseases that affects the local area such as diabetes, cancer, asthma and autoimmune diseases.

Program Structure
The Ph.D. degree is awarded to candidates with the ability to carry out independent research, and submission of a dissertation containing an account of the successful original study of a scientific problem. Study will be full or part time.

5. PhD program domains

 The PhD program will have five major domains:             
• Bioinformatics
• Cancer Target Therapy
• Cancer Immunology
• Cancer Genetics
• Molecular Basis of Diabetes and CVD

7. Duration and Graduation Requirements

3-4 years – Completion of a minimum of 42 credits; offering the degree will be based on a dissertation and two international publications.

This includes finishing course material in the first year, at the end of which a student shall sit for a comprehensive exam. This is followed by the submission of project proposal, and upon the completion of all the research work the student shall submit a dissertation.  A final oral defense of the dissertation will be organized at the University of Sharjah.

Year 1: a number of research related courses (to be identified by the Joint Academic Committee)

Years 2,3 and possibly 4 will be dedicated for the research activities and preparation of the dissertation.

Ph.D. Program in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Year	Semester	Course Title	Type	Course No.	Credit hrs	Total
1	1	Immunotherapy of Cancer	Compulsory	0900801	3	12
​	​	Cytokines and chemokines; basic concepts, receptors, and role in biotherapy	Compulsory	0900802	3	​
​	​	Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology I (Lab)	Compulsory	0900803	3	​
​	​	Specific and natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity; mechanisms and regulation	Selected Elective	0900805	3	​
	2	Advanced Molecular Immunology	Compulsory	0900806	3	9
​	​	Vascular Biology	Selected Elective	0900807	3	​
​	​	Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology II (Lab)	Compulsory	0900809	3	​
	Qualification Exam	Compulsory	0900810	0
	Proposal	Compulsory	0900811	3
2		Dissertation	Compulsory	0900812	9
3		Dissertation	Compulsory	0900813	9

 

The Ph.D. Program consists of 7 courses (21 credits) and a Ph.D. thesis. Students are required to complete 3 Compulsory courses and one selected elective in the first semester (12 credits)  and 2 Compulsory and one selected elective in the second semester (9 credits), a total of 21 credits. Students are required to pass the qualification Exam and submit a research proposal before they register for the thesis. The requirements for completion of the Ph.D. degree are an accepted thesis and a minimum of two published papers (could be one research article and one peer-reviewed review article, or two research articles published I at least B journals according to SJR ranking).

Course Description

0900801	Immunotherapy of cancer	3
This course will focus on the study of the use of the immune system to reject cancer.  Topics include: detailed studies on Immunosurveillance, tumor antigens, monoclonal antibody therapy and radio-immunotherapy. ​ ​

 

0900802	Cytokines and Chemokines	3
This course will focus on the study of basic concepts related to cytokines and chemokines, receptors, and their role in biotherapy. Topics include: structural and functional classification of cytokines, chemokines and their receptors. ​ ​

 

0900803	Advanced techniques in Molecular Biology	3
Use of laboratory techniques in Molecular Biology through a supervised independent research project. The research topic and the special techniques are selected to facilitate development of a doctoral thesis project. ​ ​

 
 

0900805	Specific and natural cell- mediated cytotoxicity	3
This course will focus on the studies of the mechanisms and regulation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity of the adaptive immune system.  Topics include: natural killer cells and their receptor types, molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity. ​ ​

 

0900806	Advanced Molecular Immunology	3
This course will focus on the study of the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease. Topics include autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, hypersensitivities, transplant rejection and immunotherapy and the study of the interaction between the immune system and cancer cells. ​ ​

 

0900807	Vascular biology	3
This course will focus on the reviews of the regulation of angiogenesis, vascular diseases and therapeutic intervention. ​ ​

 
 

0900809	Advanced techniques in Molecular Biology II	3
Use of laboratory techniques in Molecular Biology through a supervised independent research project. The research topic and the special techniques are selected to facilitate development of a doctoral thesis project. ​ ​