M.Sc. Biochemistry-UVAS Lahore

Course name:
M.Sc. Biochemistry

Course overview: Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in living organisms. It deals with the structures and functions of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other biomolecules. It deals with interactions between the various systems of the cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, as well as learning how these interactions are regulated. Biochemists study the chemical realm inside cells in order to understand the genetic and molecular bases of cellular processes. The molecular life sciences are at the forefront of scientific discovery. Over the past decade, an ever growing arsenal of techniques has helped researchers dissect the innermost secrets of the cell and develop new ways to detect and attack disease. These techniques also have been used to produce vast amounts of once rare drugs and vaccines, trace the path of evolution, create instant tests for a host of illnesses, warn people when their children might inherit a deadly disease, and identify criminals and victims of disasters. If cancer is to be cured, if solutions to the world’s energy crisis are to be found, or if the planet’s pollution is to be cleaned up, it will probably be the biochemists and molecular biologists with the knowledge and skills to power these breakthroughs.

Challenge yourself, feed your curiosity for the natural world and explore microscopic universe that is as strange and breathtaking as any imaginable. Make biochemistry your future career!

No. of Semesters: 4

Course duration:

• There shall be two semesters in each academic year (Semester-I and Semester-II) of 20 weeks each. Out of 20 weeks 16 weeks shall be actual teaching time, the rest may be utilized for admission, conduct of mid and final term examinations, preparation and declaration of results, and one week semester break.
  
• There shall also be a Semester-III of 10 weeks duration as part of an academic year and shall be an optional. Students who wish to pass “F” grade(s) and to improve “D” grade(s) may enroll this semester in the courses offered. It shall not count towards residential requirements. Out of 10 weeks, 8 weeks shall be actual teaching time; the rest may be utilized for enrolment, conduct of mid and final term examination, declaration of results.
  

Requirements:
Only those candidates shall be admitted to these degree programs, who have passed:

1. The Secondary School Examination
   
2. Intermediate/ equivalent examination in science from a recognized University or Board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics (where indicated) and English.
   
3. A candidate seeking admission to the degree M.Sc. must have passed B.Sc. degree or equivalent examination in 2nd division with at least 45% marks from any HEC recognized Institute.
   

How to apply:

1. Admissions for two years Master’s Degree programs usually opened once in a year during Fall Semester i.e August / September.
   
2. Applications for admission to various Master’s Degree programs are invited through an advertisement in the National Press. Admission is made purely on merit basis from amongst the applicants. The following degree programs are offered by the University:
   Lahore Campus
   

1. M.Sc Biochemistry (Morning)
   
2. M.Sc Biotechnology (Morning)
   

   Ravi Campus
   

   1. M.Sc Zoology (Morning)
      
   2. The candidates domiciled in any district of Pakistan, who have passed B.Sc. degree or equivalent examination in 2nd division with at least 45% marks from any HEC recognized Institute are eligible to apply for admission.
      
   3. The application forms are available in the prospectus which can be obtained from the Office of the Dean FBS, UVAS, Lahore and office of the Dean Fisheries and Wildlife, on payment of the prescribed price.
      
   4. In case the admission form is downloaded from university website (www.uvas.edu.pk), it should be accompanied with a Bank Draft / Pay Order of Rs. 1000/- in favor of the Treasurer, UVAS-Lahore for only ONE Category. If the application is to be made for more than ONE Category, the applicant has to pay additional Rs. 300/- for each category along with actual application fee.
      The Downloaded application with all formalities can be sent on the following address:
      
   5. Dean Faculty of Biosciences
      University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
      Out Fall Road, Lahore -54000
      Tel:  042-99212871
      

   Curriculum:
   

   Course Title	Credits
   FIRST SEMESTER
   Fundamentals of Biochemistry	3(2-1)
   Protein Structure, Function and Engineering	2(2-0)
   Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Membrane	3(2-1)
   Enzymology	4(3-1)
   Techniques in Biochemistry	3(1-2)
   Mathematics and Computer for Biologists	3(3-0)
   SECOND SEMESTER
   Protein and Nucleic acid Metabolism	2(2-0)
   Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism	3(3-0)
   Nutritional Biochemistry	2(2-0)
   Biochemistry of Drug and its Metabolism	2(2-0)
   Fundamentals of Physiology	3(2-1)
   Fundamentals of Microbiology	3(2-1)
   Biostatistics	3(2-1)
   THIRD SEMESTER
   Clinical Biochemistry	4(2-2)
   Biochemistry of Cell Signaling	2(2-0)
   Bioenergetics	2(2-0)
   Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA technology	4(3-1)
   Immunology	2(2-0)
   Bioinformatics	2(2-0)
   Biosafety and Ethics	2(2-0)
   FOURTH SEMESTER
   Current Research trends in Biochemistry	2(2-0)
   Research Methodologies and Scientific Writing	3(3-0)
   Seminar	1(1-0)
   Thesis/ Special paper	6(0-6)/6(6-0)

   Special Paper:
   

   Any three of the following courses may be opted. Assignment of the courses will depend upon current needs, supervisor and faculty specialization.

   Course Title (Special Paper Electives)	Credit Hours
   Advanced Enzymology	2(2-0)
   Advanced Recombinant DNA Technology	2(2-0)
   Comparative Biochemistry	2(2-0)
   Advanced Immunology	2(2-0)
   Human Biochemistry and Disease	2(2-0)
   Plant Biochemistry	2(2-0)
   Environmental Biochemistry	2(2-0)
   Advanced Cell Biology	2(2-0)
   Basic Hematology	2(2-0)
   Neurochemistry	2(2-0)
   Advanced Endocrinology	2(2-0)
   Antimicrobials and Chemotherapy	2(2-0)
   Membrane Systems	2(2-0)
   Advanced Microbiology	2(2-0)
   Pathogens and Pathogenicity	2(2-0)
   Molecular Biophysics	2(2-0)