Bilkent University Quality Management in Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology and Genetics

Foundation

Department of Molecular Biology Biology and Genetics in Faculty of Science at Bilkent University was founded in 1995.

Qualification Awarded

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology and Genetics

Level of Qualification

Third Cycle Degree

Mode of Study

Full Time

Admission & Registration Requirements

All applicants are required to have a B.S. degree in molecular biology and genetics or in biology. Other related professional degree holders such as M.D. or veterinary M.D. may also apply. Evaluation of applicants is based on their ALES (Akademik Personel ve Lisansüstü Eğitimi Giriş Sınavı - Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Examination) scores, past academic records, reference letters and an interview. Applicants who are not Turkish citizens and Turkish citizen applicants who are residents of another country may take GRE instead of ALES. All non-native speakers of English are required to submit a proof of satisfactory knowledge of English.

Assessment of Student Performance

Apart from work conducted throughout the semester, students are usually asked to take a final examination and at least one midterm examination for a course. If a staff member considers it appropriate, practical laboratory work or other such assignments may be assessed as midterm examinations or as a final examination.

Grades are finalized when they are announced via the internet on the date specified in the Academic Calendar. Semester grades for practical studies and other non-lecture courses are determined by an evaluation of the student's overall work and performance throughout the semester.

The University grading system uses letter grades with pluses and minuses. Letter grades and their grade point equivalents are: A+ to D; F, FX is failing. The quality-point equivalents of the grades are:

  A+   4.00   B+   3.30   C+   2.30   D+   1.30   F   0.00
  A   4.00   B   3.00   C   2.00   D   1.00   FX   0.00
  A-   3.70   B-   2.70   C-   1.70           FZ   0.00

Other grades used are S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), I (Incomplete), P (In Progress), T (Transfer), and W (Withdraw). These grades do not have grade point equivalents.

S : accorded to students who are successful in non-credit courses.
     
U : accorded to students who are unsuccessful in non-credit courses.
     
I : accorded to students who, although otherwise successful, have failed to complete the required assignments for a course due to illness or some other valid reason. Proof of illness or other reason for non-completion must be submitted within two days of the date of the final exam. A student receiving an incomplete grade for any course must make up for the deficiencies within 14 days after the final exam in order to obtain a grade. Otherwise, the grade I automatically becomes FX. At the discretion of the department chair, the period specified above may be extended until the beginning of the following semester. P : progress, used for multi-semester courses.
     
P : progress, used for multi-semester courses.
     
T : reflects approved transferred courses from other universities or from an exchange program. A student with a grade of T is exempted from an equivalent number of credits on the condition that the courses are accepted by the department on the recommendation of the department chair and with the approval of the board of the faculty/school. This grade may provide an exemption for a particular course at the program.
     
W : student has withdrawn from the course before the withdrawal deadline of the respective semester.

A student with extraordinary performance in a course may be granted an A+ grade. However, the number of A+ grades in a given course is limited based on class size: If the class size is less than 25 students, no A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 25 and 74 students, only one A+ grade may be given; if the class size is between 75 and 124 students, two A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 125 and 174 students, three A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 175 and 225 students, four A+ grades may be given; if the class size is more than 225 students, five A+ grades may be given. (The letter grade A+ was instituted beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.)

Students who have not met the minimum performance and/or attendance requirements to qualify to take the final exam receive an FZ grade before the final exams begin. Failing students who have not shown up at the final exam receive an FX grade instead of an F.

In graduate programs, in addition to grade S, a grade of C or higher is a passing grade in masters programs and a grade of B or higher is a passing grade in Ph.D. programs. Letter grades lower than C and grade U are failing grades in masters programs and grades lower than B and grade U are failing grades in Ph.D. programs.

A student's academic performance is determined at the end of each semester by computing an average of the letter grades he/she has received during that semester. For each course, the grade point equivalent of the letter grade received by the student is multiplied by the credit units for that course; the sum of these products is then divided by the total credit units taken in that semester to yield the Grade Point Average (GPA) for that semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by multiplying the grade point equivalent of the letter grade by the credit units for each course and then dividing the total sum by the total credit units taken in the program.

National Degree Qualifications

Life Sciences Basic Field Qualifications (Academic Weighted) - 8th Level - Doctor of Philosophy
NQF-HETR
LEVEL		 KNOWLEDGE
- Theoretical
- Conceptual		 SKILLS
- Cognitive
- Practical		 COMPETENCES
Competence to Work
Independently and
Take Responsibility 		Learning Competence Communication and Social
Competence 		Field Specific Competence
8th Level Doctorate
EQF-LLL:
8th Level
QF-EHEA:
3rd Cycle
Qualifications that signify completion of the sixth cycle are awarded to students who
K1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field at the graduate level with original thought and / or research based on the qualifications of the master and reach original definitions that will bring innovation to the field.
K2. Understand the interdisciplinary interaction related to the field; reach original results by using knowledge that requires expertise in analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating new and complex ideas.
S1. Evaluate, use and transfer new field knowledge in a systematic approach.
S2. Develop a new idea, method, design and/or application that will provide renewal to the field or apply an existing idea, method, design and/or application to another field; research, comprehend, design, adapt and apply an original subject.
S3. Critically analyze, synthesize and evaluate new and complicated opinions.
S4. Acquire top level skills to use research methods for the studies in the field.
W1. Contribute to the progress in the field independently by carrying out an original work that brings innovation to the field, develop a new thought, method, design and / or application or applies a known thought, method, design and / or application to a different field.
W2. Extend the boundaries of knowledge in the field by publishing at least one scientific article related to the field in national and / or international refereed journals and / or producing or interpreting an original work.
W3. Assume leadership in circumstances that require the solution of original and interdisciplinary problems.
L1. Develop new ideas and methods in the field using top level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making.
C1. Examine and develop social relations and norms that direct these relations from a critical point of view and manages actions to change them when necessary.
C2. Defend original ideas in the discussions on field-related subjects with experts and establish an effective communication that reflects the competency in the field.
C3. Communicate and discuss at advanced level orally and in a written and visual way by speaking a foreign language at least on European Language Portfolio C1 general level.
C4. Use computer software at the level required by the field, follow the developments in information and communication technologies and use them effectively in the research in order to solve problems.
C5. Carry out scientific research in national and international scientific research groups.
F1. Contribute to the society's process of becoming and maintain the state of being a society of information by presenting the scientific, technological, social or cultural advancements in the field.
F2. Establish functional interaction using strategic decision making processes for the solution of field-related problems.
F3. Contribute to the solution of social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values.

Program Outcomes

  1. a. Apply knowledge of life sciences, basic sciences and technology with a particular emphasis on molecular biology and genetics.
  2. b. Able to design conduct cell biology, immunology, tissue culture, molecular genetics, human genetics and cancer biology experiments, become proficient in recombinant DNA technology, as well as to analyze and interpret data including utilization of bioinformatics tools.
  3. c. Able to design complex experiments to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and biosafety, manufacturability, and sustainability by considering safety, waste management and environmental issues.
  4. d. Able to function in multidisciplinary teams.
  5. e. Able to identify, formulate, and solve scientific problems.
  6. f. Able to demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. g. Able to effectively, present and discuss technical/scientific/research data both in written and verbal forms of English.
  8. h. Understand the impact of scientific phenomena in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
  9. i. Recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning, appreciation of scientific/proffessional ethics and integrity.
  10. j. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary scientific and technological issues.
  11. k. Able to use the techniques, skills, instruments and modern scientific tools necessary for molecular biology and genetics practice.
  12. l. Able to write an original Ph.D. dissertation on a novel research topic, author scientific publications and deliver oral presentations.

Program Outcomes/Degree Qualification Matrix

 Program Outcomes
Qualification(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(k)(l)
K1✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
K2✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
S1✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
S2✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
S3✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
S4✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
W1✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
W2✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
W3✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
L1✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
C1✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
C2✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
C3✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
C4✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
C5✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
F1✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
F2✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
F3✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Qualification
Program Outcome

Program Curriculum

Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others		 Bilkent ECTS
GE 500 Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics 0 0 0 1 [ Syllabus ]
GE 690 Academic Practices 0 0 0 24 [ Syllabus ]
MBG 601 Human Genetics 3 0 3 5 [ Syllabus ]
MBG 602 Molecular and Cellular Immunology 3 0 3 5 [ Syllabus ]
MBG 603 Molecular Bases of Cancer 3 0 3 5 [ Syllabus ]
MBG 699 Ph.D. Dissertation 0 0 0 203 [ Syllabus ]
Seminars in Molecular Biology and Genetics [ Courses ]
Unrestricted graduate elective 12 [ Courses ]


Elective Courses in the Curriculum

Elective Count Program Outcomes Options
Seminars in Molecular Biology and Genetics 1   [ Courses ]
Unrestricted graduate elective 4   [ Courses ]