BS Bioinformatics
Bioscience is a discipline of Life Sciences which deals with diverse biological aspects of living organisms, ranging from studying their structure to their function, to better understand the complex cellular processes. Bioinformatics is associated typically with massive databases of gene and protein sequence and structure/function information into which are deposited new sequences, and which are searched by remote computer access whenever any sequence needs to be compared with what is already known. Bioinformatics often refers more to the application of the principles of information sciences and other technologies to make complex data such as biomedical data more understandable and to add value. Hence, in just a few decades Bioinformatics has established itself as a foundation of modern biotechnology and has emerged as one of the most dynamic fields in the current biological research. The interdisciplinary program of Bioinformatics (Biosciences, Computer Sciences, mathematics and statistics) in this regard provides a unique opportunity to students to get training in areas ranging from Gene to Genomes; Protein to Proteomes; Carbohydrates/Glycan to Glycomes; Epitope to Epitome, Drug Design to Drug Discovery; Evolution to Ecosystem and from basic research to applied research. In this regard, KUM has taken the initiative to prepare the well versed/equipped workforce not only to understand basic life processes but to also make use of big data from diverse disciplines such as Health, Livestock and Agriculture as well as developing products/tools/softwares by offering state of the art BS degree program in Bioinformatics at KUM.
Modern developments in the fields of 'omics' and health sciences as well as the generation of an exponentially and ever-increasing data through the associated high-throughput automated laboratory techniques are evidently transforming life sciences into a quantitative science. In fields ranging from structural biology to genomics to biomedical imaging, ready access to data and analytical tools are fundamentally changing the way investigators in the life sciences conduct research and approach problems. Complex, computationally intensive biological problems are now being addressed and promise to significantly advance our understanding of biology and medicine. The field of bioinformatics that addresses this need of biology has become an industry in its own right, with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries being dependent on it in particular. Thus, the need is growing for scientists who can comprehensively and equally understand languages of computational, mathematical/statistical and biological sciences, and can extract the meaningful information from the raw data. During the past three decades, the development in the field of information technology, has enabled the study of cell structures and sub-cellular systems at a molecular level. Scientists have begun to systematically tackle gene functions and other complex regulatory processes by studying organisms at the scale of genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes. The availability of complete genome sequences for human as well as several human pathogens coupled with bioinformatics has revolutionized the understanding of biological processes underlying the physiology of both host and pathogens. The developments arising from the genome projects are required to be exploited not only to monitor the disease susceptibility and spectrum of disease but also understand and address the complex challenges of food security and infectious diseases. We believe that specialization in bioinformatics will enable students to pursue their careers in industries such as health care (Diagnostics to Therapeutics/Vaccines-Better Dealing with Epidemics & Pandemics), biotechnology, biomedical, pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, renewable energy, environmental protection, software houses as well as in teaching and research institutes etc.
Vision:
The program in Bioinformatics (Department of Computer Science) is envisioned to develop workforce with interdisciplinary expertise by equipping students with necessary skills to do the job remotely who can not only understand and interpret complex large data sets but also are capable of providing solutions by developing products and applications.
Mission:
BS Bioinformatics at KU Murree is designed with a focus on producing highly skilled graduates for competitive national and international market forces. Our graduates will be equally competent in experimental work, as well as highly skilled in, not only using existing tools and methods, but also be able to develop new sets of tools for the advancement of scientific knowledge. This will be achieved by blending courses in the areas of biology, computer sciences, mathematics and statistics. Students will be equipped with the knowledge from diverse fields such as cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genomics and proteomics, molecular evolution, mathematics, programing, database development and modeling and simulation. The program will direct students toward achieving their educational objectives, professional goals, and a commitment to life-long learning by engaging them with the communities to come up with innovative ideas to address the existing problems.
Duration
Nomenclature of the Program: Bachelor of Studies in Bioinformatics
Minimum Duration: Number of Years: 04
Number of Semester: 08 (02 semesters/year)
Admission Requirements
In order to take the admission in BS Bioinformatics program, the prior knowledge of the subject Biology, Bioinformatics or Mathematics is not mandatory. We will build the basics of our students, right from the scratch. Therefore, if you satisfy the admissions requirements you will be admitted in BS Bioinformatics program. Please see the admissions requirements for further information and details given below:
- Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or equivalent (2
nd Division with at least 50% marks) in pre-medical / pre-engineering / computer sciences / relevant subjects.
- The candidate holding 3rd division in HSSC or equivalent exam is not eligible for admission in BS or equivalent program in Kohsar University Murree.
- The maximum age of the applicant for BS Bioinformatics must not exceed 24 years.
- In case of late sessions, such applicant has to furnish an affidavit to the effect that he/she did not get admission in any Institution in the period intervening between the year of passing the Examination and year of application for admission.
Offering Campus (es)
Research Facilities
The following major research equipments are available at Kohsar University:
- Next Generation sequencer iSeq 100
- LC-MSMS
- Fluorescence microscope
- Ultracentrifuge
- Real Time PCR
- Tissue culture facility
- Gradient PCR
- Automatic tissue processor
- ELISA plate reader
In addition, a smart campus has been designed that comprises of most reliable internet connectivity through sufficiently large bandwidth with unlimited data download and upload facilities for both students and faculty. Thanks to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for providing fastest internet facility to establish smart campuses of Kohsar University Murree.
Current and Future Faculty members
Since the recent inception of KUM, it has been actively gathering world class faculty and created interdisciplinary/intra and inter-departmental research groups, who collectively take part in the teaching and training programs leading to the degree of BS Bioinformatics. The following faculty members are currently available for the core courses:
- Professor Dr. Habib Bokhari (VC, KUM)
Expertise in: Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Genomics
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=DAVq1VsAAAAJ
- Masood ur Rehman Kayani
Visiting Faculty
Expertise in: Bioinformatics, genomics, metagenomics
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L2pYvXsAAAAJ&hl=en
The following faculty will join by end of August or early September to further strengthen the program
- Professor
- Associate Professor
- Assistant Professors
- Lecturers
BS Microbiology
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology aims to produce professionals who have thorough knowledge and skills to develop a career in any sub discipline ranging from Human Health (Diagnostics; Epidemiology & Sanitation & Hygiene; Immunology; Vaccines) as well as Livestock Health, Plant Microbiology to Environmental Microbiology. The program is committed to provide the budding scientists with an environment conducive for learning and critical thinking in different aspects of biological sciences. A degree in Microbiology discipline will prepare students for a promising career in the field of teaching, clinical and research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology industries, etc. In short, graduates with focused and unique understanding as well as expertise in techniques involved in bacteriology/mycology/virology, emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, resistance acquired by the bacteria and viruses against antibacterial and antiviral drugs, failure of successful vaccines against infectious diseases. Upon successful completion of the degree program, the graduates should be able to apply knowledge of bacteriology/mycology/virology for agriculture, animal health, environment and clinical research in an applied context.
Microbiology program covers range of specialized fields, from more applied disciplines such as medical, public health, industrial, and food microbiology, to basic fields of immunology, microbial ecology and evolution, physiology, genetics of microbes, antibiotic resistance, microbial forensics and host-pathogen interaction. The training through taught courses will help students to understand the disease-causing potential of various pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses, and the responses of the immune system. These studies will teach the students that how knowledge gained by studying microbiology and immunology can be applied and will prepare them for suitable careers in areas as diverse as medicine (disease epidemiology), brewing, food spoilage, control of environmental pollution, biotechnology, diagnostics and therapeutics. KUM provides all possible resources to the students so that they gain maximum knowledge and practical skills needed to be highly competitive for availing the best opportunities in their professional careers. A BS student is bound to perform research as an integral part of degree as an independent research project /internship. For this, the students are encouraged not only to conceive and develop a research project related to local challenges ranging from environment, biotechnology, forest, plant and human diseases as well as becoming useful surveillance and monitoring force for ever increasing and evolving microbes crossing species barriers such as HIV, SARS-CoV-2, Dengue, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella etc. but also to execute that research project independently. The program offers research in all major sub disciplines of Microbiology which includes Microbiology and Immunology, Bacteriology, Virology, Epidemiology, Plant Pathology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology. It also encourages the students to come up with new innovative interdisciplinary ideas and develop new techniques to achieve new heights of success in the relevant field.
Vision:
The interactive program in BS Microbiology is intended to prepare aspiring skilled workforce to pursue not only a successful career in the field of Microbiology, but also translate knowledge into products through translational research
Mission
The BS Microbiology program (Department of Biosciences) of KU Murree emphasizes not only on the education and training of the students in diverse disciplines of Microbiology, but also aims to expand the current body of knowledge through research. The graduates would gain in-depth knowledge about the beneficial as well as disease-causing microbes and would also contribute in enhancing the community understanding of the potential and challenges of microbes prevailing in the region. The program has been carefully designed to train students to understand biodiversity and evolutionary dynamics of microbes, molecular mechanism of drug resistance, and exploring new materials or natural products to be used as drug and vaccines, as well as plants pests or virus. The syllabi will introduce the students with the environmental, medical and industrial microbiology; biochemistry; cell biology; molecular biology; virology; mycology; immunology; plant pathology, microbiome and forensics microbiology or diagnostics and more. The undergraduate research projects will be focused on contemporary local and global challenges such as environmental waste management, sanitation and hygiene, water and food borne diseases and scientific discoveries into diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines against human, plant and animal diseases.
Duration
The BS Microbiology is a four-year degree program and is spread over 8 semesters, two semesters per year.
Admission Requirements
Please see the eligibility / admission requirements for the BS Microbiology program at Kohsar University, Murree:
- The candidates holding F.Sc. Pre-Medical or equivalent qualification with at least 50% marks are eligible to apply.
- The candidate holding 3rd division in HSSC or equivalent exam is not eligible for admission in BS or equivalent program in Kohsar University Murree.
- The maximum age of the applicant to BS Microbiology must not exceed 24 years.
- Equivalence Certificate of O&A Levels /Intermediate Certificate awarded by the foreign institutions from the applicants issued by the Inter Board Committee of Chairman (IBCC) is mandatory.
- In case of late sessions, such applicant has to furnish an affidavit to the effect that he/she did not get admission in any Institution in the period intervening between the year of passing the Examination and year of application for admission.
Offering Campus (es)
Research Facilities
The following major research equipments are available at Kohsar University:
- Next Generation sequencer iSeq 100
- LC-MSMS
- Fluorescence microscope
- Ultracentrifuge
- Real Time PCR
- Tissue culture facility
- Gradient PCR
- Automatic tissue processor
- ELISA plate reader
In addition, a smart campus comprising of most reliable internet connectivity through sufficiently large bandwidth with unlimited data download and upload facilities for both students and faculty has been constructed with support from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
Current and Future Faculty
Since the recent inception of KUM, it has been actively gathering world class faculty and created interdisciplinary/intra and inter-departmental research groups, who collectively take part in the teaching and training programs leading to the degree of BS Microbiology. Following faculty members are currently available at KUM for the BS Microbiology program:
- Professor Dr. Habib Bokhari (VC, KUM)
Expertise in: Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Genomics
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=DAVq1VsAAAAJ
- Samina Shaheen
Visiting Faculty
Expertise in: Microbiology, Immunology
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PGDOb3EAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
The following faculty will join by end of August or early September to further strengthen the Program:
- Professor
- Associate Professor
- Assistant Professors
- Lecturers