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Department of Biological Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences 

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 NameDegreeDuration (Years)
Molecular Biology and GeneticsBachelor / B.S.4
Medical Biotechnology (without Thesis)Master / M.S.1 - 1.5

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 SurnameDutyDepartmentOfficeTel
Prof. Dr. BAHAR TANERİ Chair Biological Sciences AS104 3922
Asst. Prof. Dr. ADİL ŞEYTANOĞLU Faculty Member Biological Sciences AS105 2675
Asst. Prof. Dr. BURAK ALİ ÇİÇEK Vice 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 SurnameDutyDepartmentOfficeTel
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 SurnameDutyDepartmentOfficeTel
VIANA KEYVAN Research Assistant Biological Sciences

​Curriculum


Crs.CodeCourse NameCreditsECTS
First Semester
ENGL191Communication in English I35
HIST280Ataturk's Principles and History of Turkish Reforms25
MATH150Calculus and Pre-calculus -I46
BIOL121General Biology - I46
CHEM111General Chemistry - I46
Second Semester
CHEM112General Chemistry -II46
BIOL124Introduction to Molecular Biology and Genetics36
ENGL192Communication in English - II35
MATH152Calculus - II46
BIOL122General Biology - II46
Third Semester
BIOL211Molecular Cell Biology I46
PHYS183Introductory Physics - I36
COMP183Fundamental of Computer Science - I46
BIOL213Human Genetics36
 CHEM243Organic Chemistry - I46
Fourth Semester
BIOL212Molecular Cell Biology - II47
PHYS184Introductory Physics - II36
COMP184Fundamental of Computer Science - II46
BIOL216Cellular and Molrcular Physiology46
 BIOL320Biochemistry46
Fifth Semester
COMP374Database Management Systems36
BIOL311Molecular Genetics47
BIOL315Behavioral Genetics36
UE01University Elective I35
AE01Area Elective I35
Sixth Semester
BIOL312Bioinformatics and Computational Biology36
 AE02Area Elective II35
UE02University Elective II35
 UE03University Elective III35
MATH212Biostatistics36
BIOL317Neurogenetics37
Seventh Semester
BIOL413Developmental Biology46
BIOL415Genomics and Proteomics37
BIOL417Microbiology47
BIOL411Molecular Evolution36
BIOL491Graduation Project-I 3 6
Eight Semester
BIOL416Bioethics of Genetics and Genomics35
BIOL412Immunology46
BIOL414Systems Biology36
 BIOL492Graduation Project-II36​


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 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 ​


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