Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences students at CMU-Q do more than study science: they learn to follow their curiosity, explore hypotheses, and contribute in a meaningful way as scientists and researchers.

Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon

The Biological Sciences Program at the Qatar campus falls within CMU’s Mellon College of Science, which is nationally recognized for its approach to science education.

CMU-Q biological sciences graduates are prepared to be:

Scholars, deeply trained in their discipline
Professionals, adept at communicating, accustomed to working in diverse teams, keenly aware of the global context
Citizens, actively involved, globally engaged
Persons, growing with a sense of wellness and balance

Biological Sciences students have identical graduation requirements as students at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. Graduates have CMU degrees, conferred from the U.S. campus.

Program at a Glance

Students receive rigorous training in biology while building a strong foundation in all of the natural sciences. They study biology at the macro and micro scales, focusing on five core areas:

Genetics and molecular biology
Biochemistry
Cell and developmental biology
Neuroscience
Computational biology

Students also choose electives in biology, humanities, social science and fine arts, shaping their degree programs according to their unique interests and goals.

Most of our students participate in research during their undergraduate years, often in labs within CMU-Q, in summer research programs or on their own independent projects.

Program Details

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences has a distinctive core curriculum that provides a foundation in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. Students also choose electives in biology, humanities, social science and fine arts, shaping their degree programs according to their unique interests and goals.

Biological Sciences students who wish to have a specialized focus can tailor their education to include a minor in disciplines such as computer science or neuroscience. Many students broaden their education by pursuing minors in other disciplines.

Standard Completion Time: 4 Years
Minimum units required for degree: 360
- Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science: 54
- Biology: 131
- Chemistry: 56
- Free electives: 48
- Non Technical breadth requirements: 72

See the CMU Undergraduate Catalog for more information about the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences

Learn more about the courses at CMU.

Hands-on Experience in the Laboratory

One of the most important features of Biological Sciences at CMU is an extensive laboratory component. These inquiry-based, hands-on courses kick-start the transformation of science students to scientists, and often lead to more in-depth projects with faculty members in their research labs.

Frontiers, Analysis, and Discovery in Biological Sciences

In the spring of their first year, students can take an exciting course where they learn to use a cutting-edge genetic modification tool, CRISPR, on yeast and mammalian cells.

Applied Cell Biology

This elective course in the sophomore year allows students to obtain hands-on experience for many of the laboratory techniques that are essential in cell biology research.

Honors Modern Biology

This combination lecture and lab course provides students with a foundation in cellular and molecular biology, reinforcing experimental concepts and the analysis of experimental data.

Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology

Students conduct experiments in microbial genetics, molecular biology and eukaryotic genetics, with an emphasis on understanding and applying the biological principles of each experiment.

Experimental Biochemistry

Students learn methods for investigating the structure and function of biological molecules, including enzyme kinetics, spectroscopy, tissue culture and flow cytometry. During several experiments, students design their own projects.

Summer Research Institute in Pittsburgh

Biological Sciences students can apply to the Summer Research Institute, a program for researching molecular biology and biochemistry at the Carnegie Mellon campus in Pittsburgh. Research projects involve recombinant DNA techniques and biochemical methods directed toward the functional analysis of proteins and enzymes.

Learn more about undergraduate research opportunities at CMU-Q

Laboratory Facilities

CMU-Q provides specialized laboratory spaces where students can learn, investigate and conduct research.

Biology lab

A state-of-the art lab with equipment for cellular, biochemical, and molecular biology research and teaching. In addition to standard laboratory equipment, the lab has equipment for tissue culture, real-time quantitative PCR, next generation DNA sequencing (IonS5), GenomeLab GeXP system, HPLC, and a flow cytometer for cellular analysis. There are two separate labs that are dedicated to faculty and student research, which include several working stations for qPCR, bacterial culture, gel electrophoresis, microscopy, sequencing, and a Biosafety Level 2 tissue culture area.

Chemistry lab

A teaching lab that is equipped with the instrumentation for an upper level quantitative chemistry laboratory (HPLC, ICP-AES, ion chromatography). In addition, there is a separate lab that is dedicated to chemistry faculty and student research.

Individualize your degree

Arts and Sciences

Academic Support

Student Research and Innovation

Career Pathways

Many biological sciences graduates pursue careers in research science in academic, government, biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry laboratories. Others work in the fields of health, forensics, law and education.

Students may choose to pursue graduate studies in a variety of areas such as science, public health, law or business. A degree in biological sciences provides excellent preparation for medical school.

Learn more about our graduates and where they are working to impact the world around them.

Map of Biological Sciences Alumni working around the world.

“I’m at the tip of the iceberg and it’s a very deep discipline that I am still learning. But I have my CMU work ethic, and the drive and motivation to inspire future students to pursue science. As Andrew Carnegie says: ‘My heart is in the work’.”

Khalid Al-Naemi, Class of 2019, PhD student, McGill University

“CMU-Q has such a big emphasis on molecular biology, that really gave me an advantage when I was in grad school. Even now as a practicing genetic counselor, it’s those concepts from undergrad that help me think critically.”

Fatima Amir, Class of 2016, Clinical Genomic Scientist, Ambry Genetics

“When I joined Carnegie Mellon, I knew little about the tremendous opportunities in biological sciences. During my studies I became deeply involved in cancer research, presented my findings in the US and Qatar and found a field that I love.”

Ettaib El Marabti, Class of 2017, physician, Lenox Hill Hospital

Meet the Faculty

Faculty members include experts in biochemistry, cancer biology, chemistry, CRISPR, genomics, next generation sequencing, precision medicine, and tumor immunology.