Industry

Based on the University's objectives and vision, the Master's Programme in Biotechnology and Life Sciences focuses on educational and research activities that directly concentrate on the needs of Palestinian society in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences, including, in particular, food, medicine, the agricultural sector and authorities concerned with environmental conservation, as well as in medical fields. These activities include topics such as:

• Environment and water.
• Plant science and plant diseases.
• Health-related and diagnostic sciences
• Developing drug treatments through the use of biotechnological techniques.

There is cooperation between the Master's Programme for Biotechnology and Life Sciences with a number of Palestinian universities, institutes and Palestinian Authority ministries to cooperate in research and supervision. The topics of this Master programme (thesis track) are aimed at examining problems of paramount importance in the community and recommending practical solutions to some problems.

The research activities of the programme include the concentration on the following areas:

• Microbe resistance to biotherapy, study of genetic and Cancer diseases, diagnosis of plant and animal viruses, bacterial and fungal infections, and development of alternative treatments to chemotherapy.
• Several important advantages for the society, such as testing the spread of genetic mutations in different types of cancer, also conducting plant classification and developing methods for the diagnosis of viral infections in plants, as well as conducting numerous research into their prevalence and reducing the spread of bacterial and fungal diseases in Palestinian society.

Teaching and Learning

The students in this programme study advanced courses in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences, as well as obtain the opportunity to carry out research in these areas.

The faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Sciences provide rooms and computer laboratories suitable for teaching and learning in addition to biotechnical and life science laboratories equipped with modern equipments which are appropriate for scientific research in the field of specialization as well as the library facilities. Students can also benefit from the possibilities available in the research laboratories and scientific centres available at the University.

This programme helps students to develop several skills and knowledge needed to perform complex tasks thus increase their awareness in order to effectively invest the obtained tasks and knowledge in problem-solving tasks.

Coursework and Assessment

Teaching in Master of Biotechnology and Life Sciences students is based on lectures, scientific reports, presentations, symposiums and examinations, and programme students adhere to the study plan and the pilot plan to accomplish the required compulsory and elective courses. 

Evaluation of students ' performance is based mainly on theoretical examinations, as well as the use of other methods of evaluation, including seminars, laboratory reports and homework, which focus on training students on various skills that aim at developing the concepts of scientific research, thinking and creativity.

After finishing the required courses, the student will conduct the practical part, write, and defend his thesis in front of a scientific committee set up by the faculty of Graduate Studies.

If the student chooses the track of the comprehensive examination, he or she will be required to pass the comprehensive examination set by a special committee in the Master's Programme for Biotechnology and Life Sciences.