Master of Science in Biochemistry
Hybrid
Courses
Common Core
ENG510Advanced Academic English
2 credits
This course is designed for graduate students working on their thesis. It gives them the opportunity to enhance their writing abilities and develop their critical thinking. It attempts to help students achieve greater competency in reading, writing, reflection, and discussion emphasizing the responsibilities of written inquiry and structured reasoning. Students are expected to investigate questions that are at issue for themselves and their audience and for which they do not already have answers. In other words, this course should help students write about what they have learned through their research rather than simply write an argument supporting one side of an issue or another.
FSC600Research Methodology
1 credits
The objective of the course is to introduce students to scientific research. Topics to be covered are: interest and research objectives; methodologies used in scientific research; how to define a problem; data collection; documentary research; analysis of the collected knowledge; structure of a Master thesis; writing a report; writing the bibliography; making a scientific poster; and how to approach giving an oral presentation.
STA515Statistical Analysis Methods
3 credits
The purpose of this course is to strengthen the knowledge of students in the field of applied statistics by minimizing the mathematical approach and developing practical and methodological aspects. It presents the main techniques of most known statistical tests (descriptive and inferential statistics, explanatory methods, and data analysis). The course provides an overview and practical main methods available in software, with an aid to the interpretation of the results and through fully processed examples using the statistical software SPSS. Most of the themes will be covered by this course including the analysis of Variance (ANOVA test), comparisons of samples (ttest and Chi-square), single and multiple regression.
CHE511Techniques for Quality Control
3 credits
This course is dedicated to quality and control. It looks at how to implement quality control practices and which criteria are involved in quality control. To understand all dimensions of quality control, the fields of drugs, food and the environment are discussed. The focus on these areas is explained by the improvement requirements for continuous quality.
Specialization - Emphasis: Applied Biochemistry and Biochemical Investigations
Electives - Emphasis: Applied Biochemistry and Biochemical Investigations
BIO511Applied Immunology
BCM513Ecotoxicology
3 credits
Ecotoxicology is a relatively new science, whose main objective is to analyze the mechanism responsible for the dysfunction of ecological systems. This course covers the fundamentals of ecotoxicology (toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic regulation) to introduce the students to a risk assessment approach. The different ecotoxicological fundamental principles are illustrated by numerous examples of common contaminants such as heavy metals, PAHs, organochlorine pesticides, etc. and emerging pollutants such as endocrine disruptors and nanoparticles. This course educates and informs students about the health risks associated with exposure to substances in industrial environments, in food and in the general environment. The knowledge gained will make them alert to and ready to declare any disruption to their health industry leaders and hygienists.
MEDM640Forensic and Medical Law
CRM511General Criminology
BIO565Genetic Engineering & Applied Biotechnology
Specialization - Emphasis: Pharmacology & Cosmetology
BCM541Cell Signaling
3 credits
The main goal of this course is to highlight our emerging understanding of the mechanisms of transduction of information from outside cells to an appropriate response. This is a 3 credit course that focuses on inter and intracellular communication, from the generation of signaling molecules through to the cellular responses. It teaches concepts central to understanding cellular signaling mechanisms and it covers the major signaling pathways and several emerging pathways.
This course also uses the primary literature to develop a systemslevel understanding of the information flow through the various cell signaling pathways and networks. Current areas of research activities in the experimental and theoretical understanding of cell signaling research are emphasized.
BCH627Clinical Trial-drug Legislation and Guide
BCH513Ecotoxicology
BCM620General Pharmacology and Cosmetology
3 credits
Pharmacology is defined as the detailed study of drugs; accordingly teaching pharmacology aims predominantly at communicating to students all the information related to the source, development, physical and chemical properties, biochemical and physiological effects, pharmacodynamics (mechanism of action), pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion), therapeutic and other uses of drugs. The main objectives of the course are: to inform students about the various research methods and techniques that are being used in the process of drug discovery and development, while helping them acquire the necessary knowledge concerning the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of drugs; to help students acquire a correct pharmacological reasoning that will allow them to assess accurately the impact of drugs on a living organism, through the evaluation of possible side effects, accurate prescription of drugs and the necessary precautions needed with certain individuals or populations that are at high risk of developing adverse drug reactions.
BCM622Pharmacotherapy
3 credits
Pharmaceutics is the discipline of pharmacy that deals with the process of turning a new chemical entity (NCE) into a medication to be used safely and effectively by patients. There are many chemicals with pharmacological properties, but need special measures to help them achieve therapeutically relevant amounts at their sites of action. Pharmaceutics also help relate the formulation of drugs to their delivery and disposition in the body. This course aims at introducing students to the various pharmaceutical technologies applied in the preparation of pharmaceutical dosage forms and drug delivery systems. Moreover, the lectures presented demonstrate the correlation between pharmaceutical principles, drug design, formulation, manufacture, and compounding in addition to the techniques applied in each of the stated phases of drug development.
BCH610Specialized Cosmetology
BCM623Specialized Pharmacology
3 credits
This course studies drugs affecting major organ systems. In each topic, the physiopathology of the disease, the mechanism of action, the pharmacokinetic properties, the pharmacologic and side effects of the pharmacological treatment are detailed to better understand the clinical use, the benefits and the toxicity of drugs.
Capstone
Emphasis
- Applied Biochemistry and Biochemical Investigations
- Pharmacology and Cosmetology
Mission
The mission of the graduate biochemistry program is to train new scientists to probe the mechanistic basis of fundamental biochemistry processes within the context of an everchanging knowledge base. This program gives learners a sound and broad background in biochemistry by providing training in the theoretical and practical aspects of biochemistry and its applications to familiarize themselves with biochemical methodology and to sample some of its most exciting applications in biotechnological, pharmaceutical, clinical, cosmetic, food and forensic science industries. In pursuit of this mission, the biochemistry graduate program strives to prepare students for careers ranging from teaching at postsecondary institutions to conducting research in universities (PhD program), health settings, and government or private laboratories.
Program Educational Objectives
1. Graduates will be able to acquire increased professional experience over the course of their graduate program, so that they can be prepared for a successful industrial career through their coursework and the development of a research project.
2. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of biochemical technology and applied biochemistry to formulate problem statements, design experiments, test hypotheses, and solve problems in biochemical and biological areas.
3. Graduates will be able to recognize research design methodology and are able to use problem ¬solving techniques associated with interdisciplinary research. They will have the ability to engage in a Doctoral Program (PhD program) with scholars in a variety of interdisciplinary topics related to the field.
Program Outcomes
a. Students will demonstrate broad knowledge of the focus area.
b. Students will design and conduct experiments, and to analyze and interpret experimental results.
c. Students will apply knowledge of statistical analysis, applied sciences, biotechnology fundamentals, and to use the techniques, skills and modern applied biochemistry tools.
d. Students will work as a member of multidisciplinary teams, and have an understanding of team leadership.
e. Students will communicate scientific results in writing, oral presentation and publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.
f. Students will recognize how the expertise will be applicable in the execution of interdisciplinary research and how the research training allows joining the doctoral program or employment.
g. Students will recognize the need for and ability to engage in life-long learning.
h. Students will appreciate the knowledge of contemporary issues.
i. Students will identify, formulate, and solve biotechnological problems.
j. Students will exhibit an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.