The College of Sciences offers a degree in Bachelor of Sciences in Biotechnology. The degree is accredited by the ministry of higher education in UAE and recently the program also got ABET accreditation from USA for the applied sciences.

With  these accreditations, Students, employers and the society we serve can be confident that our program meets the quality standards that produce graduates. 

The Biotechnology program at the University of Sharjah (UOS) is hosted by the Department of Applied Biology which was established at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009. The decision to establish the Department at UOS is considered as one of the most important steps taken by the University  to keep up with the rapid  growth and  advances in the life sciences as well as  to train students for rewarding careers in the fields of biotechnology, whether in industry, academia or government.
 

The Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary program that brings together a unique combination of skills and a wide range of scientific disciplines to maximize the benefits of both teaching and research. The degree includes the study of cell biology, tissue culture, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, hybridoma technology, plant biotechnology, in addition to other important areas such as ethics, scientific writing and bioinformatics. The program has specialized faculty members whose specialization and skills span the broad range of basic sciences to cover   thoroughly   each   discipline.   In   addition,   the   program   is   linked   to   local biotechnology industries that provide specialized input into the curriculum including field training.


II- Program Objectives:
To meet the program goals, students will acquire proficiency and will be able to:
1- Prepare for careers in academia, government, industry and health related fields for the benefit of the community.
2-  Reach  levels  of  technical  knowledge  and  professional  gain  necessary  for  career advancement and assume leadership positions in biotechnology professions
3- Pursue scientific inquiry and lifelong learning opportunities that will further their careers and impact on society


III- Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the Biotechnology program have a promising future ahead. They will have many opportunities to be employed in various positions including:
1- Lab specialists in food processing and manufacturing industries, pharmaceuticals, medical and pathological diagnostic services, assisted reproductive clinics, plant biotechnology and a range of veterinary and agricultural supporting industries.
2-  Forensic,  medical  and  quality  control  laboratory  specialists  for  conducting  DNA analysis related to criminal investigations and diagnosis of microbial and genetic diseases.
3- Environmental consultants to assess and monitor environmental contamination and help in developing landfill sites and implementing environmental bioremediation programs.
4- Scientific journalists and media presenters writing articles and helping presenters to prepare broadcast programs to communicate the importance of scientific development to the general public.
5- Sales representative / marketing professional to sell and provide advice about special scientific products to clients in research to solve specific problems related to equipment applications and experimental procedures.

 In addition, graduates of this program will have the opportunity to be enrolled in the Master  of Biotechnology offered by our department which will allow them to register for any of the PhD programs related to Biology after obtaining their master degree.

  
IV- Academic Programs:                                                                                             

Admission Requirements:
Students should pass the General Secondary School Certificate Exam (GSSCE Scientific Stream), or its equivalent with a minimum average of 70% score. In addition, students should also achieve a minimum score of 500 on the TOEFL or 5.0 on IELTS with a minimum of 5.0 in each skill. Students who pass the GSSCE with a stream other than science may be admitted after passing the remedial courses in sciences with the required scores.

Curriculum:
The curriculum of the Biotechnology degree  provides an academic foundation in essential scientific disciplines, including biostatistics, chemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, quantitative analysis, diagnostic techniques in molecular biology and computer science. The students  also  will  spend  most of  their time studying  in more specialized fields in molecular biology, recombinant DNA and biochemistry. Much of the practical learning will take place in the laboratories where students will gain training in these  fields.  These  trainings  will  be  supported  by  sophisticated  instrumentation  and research facilities.

 Students will study 124 C.H. during 4 years, which will be categorized as follows:

1-University Compulsory Requirements                 15 C.H.

2-University Elective Requirements                         9  C.H.

2-College Compulsory Requirements                      15 C.H.

3-Department Compulsory Requirements               70 C.H.

4-Department Elective Requirements                      15 C.H.

 
 All undergraduate students should spend 6 weeks to be trained in one of the research centers and laboratories assigned by the Department. This will enhance students' practical skills and will provide them opportunities to learn in new environment. To facilitate the training process, a faculty member will be assigned to the students during their training and will also help in arranging lectures and seminars to support their learning. Training centers will include private and governmental labs, forensic labs, food and pharmaceutical industries, research centers both inside and outside the country.

 
V- How to Contact Us:                                                                                                 

Address:
Department of Applied Biology
College of Sciences/University of Sharjah


P.O. BOX 27272/Sharjah
UAE
Tel:  (+971 6) 5053831
Fax: (+971 6) 5053814
E-mail:  msaho@sharjah.ac.ae
Web Page:
http://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/academics/Colleges/Sciences/dept/ab/Pages/default.aspx