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Science - Biochemistry

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  • Degree: Bachelor
  • Campus: Beirut, Debbieh, Tripoli
  • Faculty: Science
  • Department: Biological Sciences

Program Description

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that occur in living matter. The biochemistry major provides a rigorous, high-quality biochemistry curriculum that prepares undergraduate students for various aspects of biochemistry disciplines where knowledge, critical, and analytical thinking skills are essential. Biochemistry is a discipline that covers incredibly diverse fields and touches all aspects of our lives. You will learn topics such as the structure of biomolecules and how they interact in essential processes and pathways in our cells, the actions of enzymes, and how they can be inhibited by drugs. The biochemistry curriculum also ensures that students possess scientific skills to be successful in alternative career options in biochemistry and related disciplines. Graduates will be well prepared for employment or further study in different fields including Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Medicine, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology.

Chairperson: Dr. Mahmoud Khalil

Associate Professors: Dr. Jamilah Borjac, Dr. Dalia El Badan.

Assistant Professors: Dr. Ghada Khawaja, Dr. Nawal El Hakawati, Dr. Rana El Hajj, Dr. Noura Abou Zeinab.


The mission of the biochemistry major is to provide a high-quality, rigorous biochemistry curriculum that prepares undergraduate students for various aspects of biochemistry disciplines where knowledge and critical and analytical thinking skills are essential. The biochemistry curriculum also ensures that students possess scientific skills to be successful in alternative career options in biochemistry and related disciplines. Graduates will be well prepared for employment or further study in different fields including Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Medicine, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. 

The biochemistry major curriculum:
  1. Provides undergraduate students with knowledge and understanding of biochemical concepts and principles.
  2. Prepares students to understand the biochemistry pathways and processes in health, nutrition, and agriculture.
  3. Provides laboratory skills to help students perform and interpret laboratory work in biochemistry.
  4. Provides students with the latest biochemical techniques used in both basic and applied areas of biochemistry and related disciplines such as molecular biology.
  5. Promotes the capacity for lifelong learning.
  6. Prepares students for many career options in biochemistry and related disciplines.
  7. The student must conduct a research project in biochemistry followed by an oral and written presentation of this project.
  1. Knowledge and understanding:

    1. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of fundamental biochemical reactions and processes in living organisms.
    2. Understanding the mechanisms of disease incidence and strategies to treat human diseases at the molecular and cellular levels.
    3. Mastering the aspects of the modern disciplines of biochemistry at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels.
    4. Understanding and practicing various experimental techniques of biochemistry.
    5. Merging knowledge of biochemistry and related disciplines such as molecular biology, biotechnology, and biomedical science.
    6. Recognizing and making use of biochemical databases and literature sources.

  2. Intellectual abilities:

    1. Acquire a broad understanding of various biochemical aspects and pathways.
    2. Showcase the ability to conduct experiments, assess acquired data, and formulate logical conclusions or interpretations.
    3. Display the capacity to rigorously analyze and make practical use of the scientific literature.
    4. Demonstrate skills and expertise in biochemistry for various career opportunities.
    5. Apply critical reasoning and logical foundations to evaluate problems within the field of biochemistry.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to pursue further education as independent professional learning.

  3. Professional and Practical Competencies:

    1. Acquire the ability to design experimental biochemical and molecular approaches and strategies to solve biochemical problems.
    2. Analyze and evaluate the experimental results and observations clearly and draw scientific conclusions.
    3. Apply fundamental instruments efficiently in practical operations.

  4. General and transferable skills:

    1. Convey scientific data with clarity and precision, through spoken and written means.
    2. Work effectively in a professional or laboratory setting.
    3. Acknowledge and address the requirement for continuous learning.
    4. able to work effectively autonomously or collaboratively within a team.

To obtain the bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, students must successfully complete a total of 97 credit hours and obtain an Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3), where the standard study duration is 6 semesters.

The biochemistry major is an interdisciplinary science that provides students with a solid scientific background to open the door to many career opportunities.
  1. Post-graduate studies in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, cosmetic science, and related life science programs in addition to chemistry program.
  2. Employment in the fields of forensic science, food science, agricultural research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.
  3. Technical research positions.
  4. Clinical laboratory technicians.
  5. Teaching Biology
  6. Admission to biomedical schools.

I. University Requirements Credits
* University Mandatory Courses 5
* University Elective Courses 11
II. Program Requirements Credits
Faculty Core Courses 17
Major Core Courses 49
Departmental Electives 9
**Faculty Electives 6
Total 97

Faculty and Major Core Courses: 

*A total of 16 credits is required as University Requirements:

5 credits are selected from the University Mandatory courses list.

At least one course from social sciences and one course from humanities should be selected among the university elective courses.

** A total of 6 credits is required as faculty electives.

Students can enroll in any course offered by the Faculty of Science.

Courses Crs. Pre-Co/requisites
BIOL 233 Biology 3
BIOL 233L Biology Laboratory 1 Co-Req: BIOL 233
BIOL 236 Human Physiology 3 Pre-Req: BIOL 233
CHEM 241 Principles of Chemistry 3
CHEM 241L Principles of Chemistry Laboratory 1 Co-Req: CHEM 241
PHYS 243 General Physics 3
PHYS 243L General Physics Laboratory 1 Co-Req: PHYS 243
MATH 250 Biostatistics 3
CHEM 242 Analytical Chemistry 3 Pre-Req: CHEM 241
CHEM 242L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 1 Co-Req: CHEM 242
CHEM 234 Organic Chemistry 3
CHEM 234L Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Co-Req: CHEM 234
CMPS 241 Introduction to Programming 3
MATH 241 Calculus and Analytical Geometry 3
BIOL 332 Immunology 2 Pre-Req: BIOL 233
BCHM 333 Principles of Biochemistry 3 Pre-Req: CHEM 234
BCHM 333L Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory 1 Co-Req: BCHM 333
BIOL 333 Microbiology 3 Pre-Req: BIOL 233
BIOL 333L Microbiology Laboratory 1 Co-Req: BIOL 333
BIOL 334 Cell and Molecular Biology 3 Pre-Req: BIOL 233
BIOL 334L Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 Co-Req: BIOL 334
BIOL 338 Genetics 3 Pre-Req: BIOL 233
CHEM 333 Physical Chemistry 3 PRE-REQ: CHEM 241
CHEM 333L Physical Chemistry Laboratory 1 Co-Req: CHEM 333
BCHM 435 Seminar in Biochemistry 1
BCHM 437 BEndocrinology 3 Pre-Req: BCHM 333
BCHM 432 Clinical Biochemistry 3 Pre-Req: BCHM 333
BCHM 432L Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory 1 Co-Req: BCHM 432
BCHM 434 Biotechnology 3 Pre-Req: BIOL 334
CBIO 444 Internship 2

The program utilizes a number of well-equipped laboratories for practical work and research. The Laboratories serving the program are:

  1. Biology Laboratory
  2. Biology Research Laboratory
  3. Microbiology Laboratory
  4. Biochemistry Laboratory
  5. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Specialized Laboratory
  6. Microbiology Specialized Laboratory
  7. Tissue Culture Laboratory
  8. Animal House Facility (Breeding Room)
  9. Animal House Facility (for Post Graduate Students)

Study Plan:

Course Code Course Title Credits Hours Distribution Course Type
First Semester
BIOL231 Biology I 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) FC
BIOL231L Biology I Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:3Lab) FC
CHEM241 Principles of Chemistry 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) FC
CHEM241L Principles of Chemistry Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:3Lab) FC
PHYS243 General Physics 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) FC
PHYS243L General Physics Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:3Lab) FC
------- University Requirements 4 (4crs.) CUR
Second Semester
BIOL238 Human Physiology 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) MJC
CHEM234 Organic Chemistry 3 (3Crs.:3 Lec) MJC
CHEM234L Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:3Lab) MJC
CHEM242  Analytical Chemistry 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) MJC
CHEM242L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:3 Lab) MJC
MATH250 Biostatistics 3 (3 Crs.: 2Lec., 2 Lab.) FC
------- University Requirements 4 (4crs.) CUR
Third Semester
BCHM331 Biochemistry  3 (3Crs.:3Lec) MJC
BCHM331L Biochemistry Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:2Lab) MJC
BIOL333 Microbiology  3 (3Cr.:3 Lec) MJC
BIOL333L Microbiology Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:2 Lab) MJC
BIOL334 Cell And Molecular Biology 3 (3Crs.:3 Lec) FC
BIOL334L Cell And Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 (1Cr.:2 Lab) MJC
------- University Requiremnents 4 (4crs.) CUR
Fourth Semester
BCHM336 Metabolic Biochemistry 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) MJC
BCHM336L Metabolic Biochemistry Laboratory 1 (1Crs.:2Lab) MJC
BIOL332 Immunology  2 (2Cr.:2Lec) MJC
BIOL338 Genetics  3 (3Cr.:3Lec) MJC
------- University Requiremnents 2 (2crs.) CUR
------- Departmental Elective 3 (3crs.) DE
Fifth Semester
BCHM435 Seminar in Biochemistry 1 (1cr.: 1lec.) MJC
BCHM437  Endocrinology 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) MJC
BCHM439 Biochemistry Internship 2 (2 Crs: 2Lec) MJC
CHEM333 Physical Chemistry 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) MJC
CHEM333L Physical Chemistry Laboratory  1 (1crs.: 3lab.) MJC
------- Departmental Elective 3 (3crs.) DE
------- University Requirements 2 (2crs.) CUR
------- Faculty Elective 3 (3crs.) FE
Sixth Semester
BCHM432 Clinical Biochemistry 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) MJC
BCHM432L Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory 1 (1cr.: 3lab.) MJC
BCHM434 Biotechnology  3 (3crs.: 3lec.) MJC
BCHM444 Senior Project 2 (2crs.: 2lec.) MJC
------- Faculty Elective 3 (3crs.) FE
------- Departmental Elective 3 (3crs.) DE

Departmental Elective (DE)

Course Code Course Title Credits Hours Distribution Course Type
BCHM445 Biochemical Principles of Nutrition 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BCHM446 Gene Therapy 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BCHM447 Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BCHM448 Molecular Biology of Cancer 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BCHM449 Nucleic Acid - Protein Interaction 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BCHM451 Cell Signaling 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BIOL342 Histology  3 (3Cr.:2Lec,2 Lab) DE
BIOL344 Virology  3 (3Crs.:3Lec) DE
BIOL441 Cell and Tissue Culture  3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BIOL443 Food Microbiology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BIOL451 Bioinformatics 3 (3Crs.:2Lec,2Lab) DE
BIOL452 Medical Microbiology 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
BIOL453 Environmental Studies 3 (3crs.: 3lec.) DE
PHYS352 Biophysics 3 (3Crs.:3Lec) DE