Department of Biological Sciences

Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. BURAK ALİ ÇİÇEK

Administrative Assistant
FUNDA ÖZÇELİK AKKELEŞ

Department's 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.

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

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.

Program Name	Degree	Duration (Years)
Molecular Biology and Genetics	Bachelor / B.S.	4
Medical Biotechnology (without Thesis)	Master / M.S.	1 - 1.5

Double Major Programs

Program Name	Degree	Duration (Years)
Molecular Biology and Genetics - Chemistry Double Major	Double Major / B.S.	4

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

Admission Requirements

For more information about admission requirements, please visit Admission Requirements

Contact Information

Address:
Eastern Mediterranean University
Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
Famagusta, North Cyprus
Mersin 10 Turkey

Tel: +90 392 630 3923
Fax: +90 392 365 1604
E-mail: mbg@emu.edu.tr

Academic Staff

Name Surname	Duty	Department	Office	Tel
Prof. Dr. BAHAR TANERİ	Faculty Member	Biological Sciences	AS104	3922
Asst. Prof. Dr. ADİL ŞEYTANOĞLU	Faculty Member	Biological Sciences	AS105	2675
Asst. Prof. Dr. BURAK ALİ ÇİÇEK	Chair	Biological Sciences	AS110	2109
Asst. Prof. Dr. DENİZ BALCI	Faculty Member	Biological Sciences	AS116	2417
Asst. Prof. Dr. ILGIN ÇAĞNAN ÇAKKOL	Faculty Member	Biological Sciences	AS112	2675

Part-time Academic Staff

Name Surname	Duty	Department	Office	Tel
Sr. Instr. GÜZİDE BENDER	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences	AS115
Sr. Instr. HASAN DENİZ AKBORA	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences	AS117	2404
Sr. Instr. HAVVA ÇOBANOĞULLARI	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences	as114	2060
Sr. Instr. MUSTAFA SOĞANCI	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences	AS114
Sr. Instr. NERMİN TÜREN	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences
Sr. Instr. NOJAN HAFIZI	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences	AS120
Sr. Instr. YAKUP CEM YABABA	Senior Instructor	Biological Sciences
Instr. FEZEL NİZAM	Instructor	Biological Sciences	AS114	2060
Instr. PEMBE ALDAĞ	Instructor	Biological Sciences	AS114	2060

Research Assistants

Name Surname	Duty	Department	Office	Tel
OĞUZHAN ATAY	Research Assistant	Biological Sciences	AS103	2402

Curriculum

	Crs.Code	Course Name	Credits	ECTS
First Semester
	ENGL191	Communication in English I	3	5
	HIST280	Ataturk's Principles and History of Turkish Reforms	2	5
	MATH150	Calculus and Pre-calculus -I	4	6
	BIOL121	General Biology - I	4	6
	CHEM111	General Chemistry - I	4	6
Second Semester
	CHEM112	General Chemistry -II	4	6
	BIOL124	Introduction to Molecular Biology and Genetics	3	6
	ENGL192	Communication in English - II	3	5
	MATH152	Calculus - II	4	6
	BIOL122	General Biology - II	4	6
Third Semester
	BIOL211	Molecular Cell Biology I	4	6
	PHYS183	Introductory Physics - I	3	6
	COMP183	Fundamental of Computer Science - I	4	6
	BIOL213	Human Genetics	3	6
	CHEM243	Organic Chemistry - I	4	6
Fourth Semester
	BIOL212	Molecular Cell Biology - II	4	7
	PHYS184	Introductory Physics - II	3	6
	COMP184	Fundamental of Computer Science - II	4	6
	BIOL216	Cellular and Molrcular Physiology	4	6
	BIOL320	Biochemistry	4	6
Fifth Semester
	COMP374	Database Management Systems	3	6
	BIOL311	Molecular Genetics	4	7
	BIOL315	Behavioral Genetics	3	6
	UE01	University Elective I	3	5
	AE01	Area Elective I	3	5
Sixth Semester
	BIOL312	Bioinformatics and Computational Biology	3	6
	AE02	Area Elective II	3	5
	UE02	University Elective II	3	5
	UE03	University Elective III	3	5
	MATH212	Biostatistics	3	6
	BIOL317	Neurogenetics	3	7
Seventh Semester
	BIOL413	Developmental Biology	4	6
	BIOL415	Genomics and Proteomics	3	7
	BIOL417	Microbiology	4	7
	BIOL411	Molecular Evolution	3	6
	BIOL491	Graduation Project-I	3	6
Eight Semester
	BIOL416	Bioethics of Genetics and Genomics	3	5
	BIOL412	Immunology	4	6
	BIOL414	Systems Biology	3	6
	BIOL492	Graduation Project-II	3	6

Course Descriptions for Medical Biotechnology

BIOL501: Molecular Biology and Genetics
This course covers eukaryotic gene expression and regulation in detail, as well as eukaryotic cellular processes. Genome, transcriptome and proteome level information are discussed, as well as epigenomics. In particular, human genome is detailed. Relevant ethical, legal and social issues are discussed.

BIOL502: Fundamentals of Biotechnology
This course introduces the basic concepts of biotechnology. The history, development and current applications of biotechnological products are outlined and serve as the basis for the elective courses.

BIOL503: Genome editing and gene therapy
Genetic engineering, new techniques in gene and genome editing, and the relevant technology are covered. The latest developments in the field are reviewed and the potential for future applications are discussed.

BIOL504: Advanced Molecular Cell Biology
The course provides a more detailed overview of molecular cell biology and its significance in understanding the disease mechanisms.

BIOL506: Molecular and Medical Biotechnology
Medical applications of molecular cell biology and genetics are covered. Contemporary research findings are discussed through critical thinking and evaluation of scientific papers. Relevant ethical, legal and social issues are discussed.

BIOL507: Medical Biotechnology in Diagnostics and Therapeutics
In this course, the development and advances in the biotechnological tools in disease diagnosis and disease treatment are discussed. The protein based biological products as well as nucleic acid, cell and tissue based biological products are covered in further detail and contrasted.

BIOL508: Biomarkers and Drug Development
This course covers the identification and detection of biomarkers that can be used for disease
diagnosis and risk assessment. It includes the detection of potential molecular drug targets and the ways these targets can be employed in drug development.

BIOL509: Applications of Biotechnology in Assisted Reproduction
In this course, the historical changes in reproductive medicine and developments in assisted
reproductive technologies are discussed. The advances in reproductive technologies and latest
discoveries are analyzed. In addition, preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screen methods are reviewed.

BIOL511: Ethics in Biotechnology
This course provides an overview of the legal, medical, and ethical questions regarding
biotechnological methods such as those related to reproduction and human genetics, and how to apply legal reasoning to these questions.

BIOL512: Vaccines and Immunity
The course outlines the medical applications of molecular tools and findings in vaccine development and immunity.

BIOL513: Epigenetics and epigenomics
Epigenetics is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in biology. This course covers the latest developments in epigenetics and epigenomics and investigates the wider impacts of epigenetics in human health. References may be made to subjects such as the impact of social determinants of health. The course also covers ethical, legal and social aspects.

BIOL514: Applications of Bioinformatics in Biotechnology
Bioinformatics plays an important role in the advancement of biotechnology in various fields. In this course, the impact of bioinformatics in the development of biotechnology is covered.

BIOL515: Applications of Biotechnology in Marine Biology
This course aims to introduce recent developments in biotechnology from marine organisms which are relevant to a broad range of industrial sectors such as as pharmaceutical and agricultural industries; more efficient and less polluting industrial processes and tools for environmental remediation.

BIOL581 Final Project I: In this course, student individually start a research project (all projects are wet-lab projects) and under the supervision of a faculty member they start with the literature search for the project and they initiate their experiments.

BIOL582 Final Project II: In this course, students independently, under the supervision of a faculty member, carry out and continue the laboratory experiments they had started in BIOL581 Final Project I. They continue and finalize their project, analyze and present their results in writing as well as in form of an oral presentation.

BIOL599: Term Project
The student will prepare a semester project on a selected topic