Biological and Environmental Sciences

This proposed  Ph.D. program  in Biological and Environmental Sciences (Ph.D. BES) is an interdisciplinary program that builds on the earlier M.Sc. in Environmental Science and new M.Sc. In  biomedical Sciences. This program serves other biology based MSc  degree holders upon approval of the program committee.  This is the first PhD in Biological and Environmental Sciences in Qatar and the second PhD at Qatar University. The need for this unique program is of high importance to Qatar. The country has announced its National Vision 2030 which puts more challenge on the flagship university to create a new innovative, interdisciplinary and high quality PhD programs that can accommodate the small number of students with different science backgrounds yet give freedom for specializations in areas of national research priorities such as health and environmental domains.

Its mission is to provide students with the most advanced research skills enabling them to carry out research independently, publishing and showing innovations and creativity.

The PhD Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences is composed of 4 concentrations in:

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Environmental Sciences
• Ecosystems and Marine Sciences
• Biotechnology

It is emphasized on the development of core of required courses and electives of particular relevance to the needs in Qatar and the curriculum is developed in the context of the Benchmark Statement of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the United Kingdom as well as incorporating the Quality standards of the commission on colleges of the southern association colleges and schools(SACS).

• A minimum of 75 credit hours are required to complete the PhD program in Biological and Environmental Sciences, including the followings:
• A minimum of 30 credit hours of  course work, including 12 credit hours of required courses and 18 credit hours of elective courses.
• A minimum of 45 credit hours of research work

The anticipated completion time of the course of study for the PhD, assuming no academic probation(s), is 8 full semesters. There is no provision made for part-time graduate students. 

Admission Criteria

In addition to the general requirements set forth by QU’s  Office of Graduate Studies, applicants are required to:

1. Have A Master’s degree in biology, environmental science, or  in a related field with minimum cumulative GPA of 3 out of 4 or equivalent from a university or college accredited by an international accrediting association or by the Ministry of Higher Education or comparable in that country.
    
2. Students are expected to be proficient in English. Thus, applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency as part of the admission process by satisfying either of the following:
   (*) Earned a previous degree from an institution of higher education in a Program where English was the language of instruction.
   OR
   (**) Achieved a minimum score of 520 on the paper-based TOEFL or equivalent test taken within 2 years of the start of the intended semester of admission.
    
3. A satisfactory performance in the personal interview with the Admission committee.
    
4. GRE-General test score taken within less than 2 years prior to the start of the intended semester of admission, is not required but will strengthen the application.
    
5. During the admission process, students will be accepted in the desired concentration according to their former Master and Bachelor majors.

Requirements

All applicants to the PhD’s  degree in Biological and Environmental Sciences program are required to submit the following documents to the Admissions Department: 

1. Admissions Application and Signature Page
2. Final, official and certified university transcripts
3. Official TOEFL score report or equivalent score report
4. Official GRE score report [not required but will strengthen the application].
5. Three confidential recommendation letters from Graduate professors or employers (Recommendation Letters (using CAS template) should be sent by the professor to the following address: biology@qu.edu.qa ).
6. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
7. Health Certificate
8. Photocopy of the applicant’s Qatar ID card
9. (Non-Qatari applicants must provide a copy of their passport)
10. Two recent passport sized photographs
11. Application Fees: QR 350

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course