MSc Preclinical Sciences
Two Years
Overview
Explore the gateway to your future with our postgraduate programme in preclinical sciences! Our innovative curriculum empowers students with essential knowledge and skills for advanced studies and flourishing careers in specialized fields such as clinical physiology, clinical biochemistry, and molecular microbiology. Our programme is designed to help students in the Kurdistan Region pursue advanced studies as our curriculum is carefully crafted to encompass core courses and specialized tracks, emphasizing hands-on and practical learning experiences. Our esteemed faculty members bring a wealth of expertise, with notable achievements and contributions to research.
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate Degree: Undergraduate degree in medical sciences (Medicine, Veterinary science, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy).
- English Language Proficiency: Minimum English Language requirement is 50 in PTE – 6.0 in IELTS -74 in TOEFL iBT or 105 in Duolingo.
- Equalised transcript is required for students who have graduated from international institutions.
- School Interview.
- Entrance exam.
- Undergraduate Degree: Minimum undergraduate average of 60%
- Application Form: Online application form is required.
- Official Transcripts: Provide a copy of your undergraduate transcript with your application.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two recommendation letters are required to be submitted with your application, preferably one of which will be from a university academic.
- A copy of your CV.
- A copy of your passport and national ID.
Curriculum
Curriculum
| Specialty | Clinical Biochemistry | Medical Physiology | Medical Microbiology |
| Number of Semester | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Credits per semester (ECTS) | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Duration per semester/ weeks | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Number of modules per semester | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Research (thesis) project | require | require | require |
| Duration of Research (thesis) | One year | One year | One year |
| Credits of research (ECTS) | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Total program credits (ECTS) | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Total duration of programme | Two years | Two years | Two years |
| Degree Awarded | MSc | MSc | MSc |
Entrance Exam
| Entry Exam (50 scores) 50% | |
| 35% | General knowledge relevant to the MSc course (see the blueprint of topics) |
| 65% | Specific knowledge on the core subjects of the MSc course (see the blueprint of topics) |
| Total (100%) | The passing mark is 60%, meaning students must score at least 30 out of 50. Any marks above 15 will be counted as additional points for the candidate |
Entry Exam Details:
- Number of Questions: 90
- Question Types:
- Single Best Answer Questions (Best of Five): Each question presents 5 options, with only one correct answer.
- Extended Matching Questions (EMQs): Each EMQ is centered around a single theme, offering 9 options to answer 3 related questions.
- Time: 2 hours
Date: September 13
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: Building B, School of Medicine premises
Master’s (MSc.) Degree in Clinical Biochemistry/ Topics
- Vitamins: Study of essential micronutrients, including types (water-soluble and fat-soluble), biochemical functions, sources, deficiency diseases, and roles in metabolism.
- Enzymes: Exploration of biological catalysts, covering enzyme structure, function, mechanisms of action, kinetics, factors affecting activity, and clinical significance.
- Protein Metabolism: Focus on the breakdown and synthesis of proteins, including amino acid metabolism, digestion, absorption, nitrogen balance, urea cycle, and related disorders.
- Lipid Metabolism: Study of fats and related compounds, covering metabolism of triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, and associated disorders like hyperlipidemia.
- Carbohydrate Metabolism: Examination of metabolic pathways like glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, blood glucose regulation, and clinical aspects like diabetes.
- Biological Oxidation: Study of cellular energy conversion processes, including oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain, and clinical relevance like oxidative stress.
- Nucleic Acid Metabolism: Focus on DNA and RNA synthesis and breakdown, including purine and pyrimidine metabolism, and disorders like gout.
- Mineral Metabolism: Examination of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and trace elements, including disorders like osteoporosis and anemia.
- Clinical Biochemistry (Metabolic Disorders): Covers biochemical basis of disorders related to lipids, protein, nucleic acid, and carbohydrate metabolism.
Master’s (MSc.) Degree in Molecular Microbiology Topics
- Basics of Medical Microbiology: Covers classification of medically important microorganisms, growth, survival, metabolism, and antimicrobial agents.
- Immunology: Essential components of human immune system, Innate and adaptive immunity with focus on infectious diseases
- Diagnostic Microbiology: Includes laboratory safety, sterilization, specimen collection, preparation, and molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases.
- Molecular Biology: Includes DNA structure and function, transcription, translation, gene therapy, microbial genetics, and molecular techniques in microbiology.
- Biotechnology: Basic concepts of microbial use in biotechnology, nanobiotechnology and gene therapy.
Master’s (MSc.) Degree in Medical Physiology Topics
- Introduction to Medical Physiology: Overview of feedback systems.
- Basic Cell Physiology: Structure and function of the plasma membrane, including transport mechanisms.
- Basic Receptor Physiology: Definition, types, and receptor-ligand interactions.
- Cellular Signaling: Fundamentals of signal transduction, including definitions and types.
- Basic Physiology of Major Systems:
- Renal System
- Cardiovascular System
- Endocrine System
- Nervous System
| Credentials (50 score) 50% | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Requirements | Scoring scheme | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BSc. average | Minimum undergraduate average of 50% for Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy; and 60% for all other Medical related fields.
The extra marks above 60% will be considered as points for the candidate: The maximum score to consider is 15 points |
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English proficiency
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Extra scores will be awarded to the candidate as follows. The maximum score that can be granted is 10 points.
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| Publications | The publications will be scored as below: The maximum score to consider is 25 points
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Skills Development
- Advanced Knowledge Acquisition: Acquire comprehensive knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles in ( Biochemistry, Medical Physiology, & Molecular Microbio.)
- Research Proficiency: Dedicate time after semesters to intensive research, allowing students to develop foundational research capabilities to engage in evidence-based practices within (Clinical Biochemistry, Medical Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Biology).
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Develop the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, address research questions, and apply problem-solving strategies within the discipline.
- Contribution to Scientific Literature: enhance an appreciation for the importance of contributing to scientific literature through well-structured and insightful research outputs.
- Effective Communication: Develop clear and concise communication skills, both written and oral, to convey scientific concepts and research results.
- Skill Development: Equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for successful careers in academia, healthcare, and research, fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities.
- Continuous Professional Development: enhance a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, ensuring graduates remain current with advancements within their discipline throughout their careers.
- Preparation for Leadership Roles: provide candidates with the skills and knowledge needed to assume leadership roles in academia, research institutions, and the broader scientific community.