Department Of Life Sciences

Head of program: Dr. Azzam Saleh

Program: Life Sciences
Telephone: (02)2799360 ext. Biology
Fax: (02) 2796960
Mailing address: Faculty of Science & Technology Abu-Dies Campus. West Bank, Palestine
E-mail:- azzam@science.alquds.edu

Website:- www.geocities.com/azzamsal

D escriptiopn of Program: Curriculum Design

Life Sciences Department offers Bachelor (B.Sc.) degree in biology as a major with two minors: Medical Technology and Botany.

The student should complete 132 credit hours, which are distributed as follows:

23 credits as university requirement

33 credits as faculty requirements

55 as department required courses

21 credits as department elective courses.

Goals and Objectives of Degree:

1.        To teach principles of Biological Sciences.

2.        To widen the students knowledge in life Sciences.

3.        To educate the student the methods of scientific thinking and writing.

4.        To enable graduates in life Sciences how to teach biology

5.        To teach students the methods of scientific research.

6.        To enable graduates how to communicate with the society.

7.        To establish strong characters in science among graduates.

8.        To surve the community in Botany and Medical Technology

9.        9.To enable graduates to perform adequately in their future careers.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum: total credit hours for graduation 132 credits as follows.

University requirement (obligatory courses, 17 credits and elective courses, 9 credits)

Faculty requirements: 26 credits obligatory courses and 7 credits elective courses. Department procurements: 55credits obligatory courses and 21 credit elective courses.

Admission requirements: the student should finish General Biology 101 and General Biology 102 with minimum average 65%

Teaching Methods:

1.       Preparation of scientific material in lectures

2.       Use of audio visual aids in teaching

3.       Use of computer facilities

4.       Conducting lab sessions for experimental teaching

5.       Use of Biological models and charts

6.       Field visits and collection of living materials

7.       Use of scientific papers from journals

Assessment and Evaluation Techniques:

1.       Written and oral exams.

2.       Writing scientific reports.

3.       Oral presentation such as seminar.

4.       Use of computer in Biology.

5.       Efficiency of using computer and library resoures.

6.       Writing scientific essays.

7.       Collection and preservation of Biological samples.

Course Sequence:

Course Sequence for students with Major specialization in Biology This plan can be generalized for other programs in the department

Second Year

Major – Biology

Major requires courses (57 credits hours)

The student chooses 21 credits hours from the list of courses given below, The student is allowed to choose 6 credit hours above 200 level from courses offered by the department of biology or other departments in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Minor Biology

1.       This course is designed for undergraduate students from other departments of the Faculty of Science & Technology

2.       The student should complete 21 credit hours as follows:

One)                      Required courses: 15 credits

b) Elective courses: The student should complete 6 credits from Biology elective courses

Medical Technology - Minor .

1. The student should complete the required courses in biology ( 57- credit hours ).

1. The student should complete 15- credit hours as shown in the following table.

3.       The student should choose 6- credit hours from the list of courses shown in the following table.

Major – Zoology

(55-credit hours)

The Student should complete 21 credits hours of Biology elective courses, the student is allowed to choose 6 credit hours above 200 level from courses offered by other departments, in the faculty of Sciences &Technology

Minor – Zoology

1.       The student should complete the required courses of Biology-Botany (55-credit hours).

2.            The student should complete the following required courses.

3.       The student should choose 6-credit hours from the list of courses shown in the following table.

Major Zoology, Minor-Botany

•  The student should complete the biology-Zoology required courses.

(57 credit hours)

•  The student should complete the following required courses.

•  The student should choose 6-credit hours from the list of courses shown in the following table.

Major Biology-Minor Botany

•  The student should complete the biology-required courses (57-credit hours).

•  The student should complete the following required courses in Botany (15-credit)

•  The student should choose 6-credit hours from the following elective courses:

Major –Botany

1. The students should complete the following required courses for a major in botany (55-credit hours)

The student should complete 21 credits hours form Major Biology –Minor Botany the student can choose 6 credit hours from other department of faculty of science & Technology.

Study of the basic chemical pathways in plant metabolism, respiration photosynthesis, and nitrogen metabolism.
Soil water uptake and movement, translocation and the nutrition of plants will also be studied,
General idea about germination, dormancy, flowering and growth regulators.

Laboratory work will emphasize the study of water relations in plants.
The effect of hormones on plant growth, development and experiments designed to
illustrate other topics covered in the lecture part.

The study of internal organization of the plant body and different tissues. Parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, fibers. Stomata, phloem, xylem. The difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons, study of the root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit and seed.

The laboratory part includes microscopic work and preparation of thin section materials.

Study of the major families of flowering plants, their identifying characteristics, variation in internal and external organizations from an evolutionary point of view, principles of plant collection for the herbarium.

Laboratory stresses on practical identification & field work.

Characteristics of microorganisms. Fundamental aspects of prokaryotes (ultra structure of bacteria), fungi, study of metabolism, energy production and genetics. Ecology of microorganisms will be studied.

The laboratory part includes experiments designed to illustrate the topics covered in the lecture part.

Basic ecological principles and concepts. The ecosystem, the flow of energy in ecological cycles, limiting factors, weather factors, soil minerals and pollution. Organization of community and population levels.

Development and evolution of ecosystem, fresh water, marine and, terrestrial habitats Application and technology, resources, pollution and environmental health, radiation ecology, remote sensing, ecology of space travel application of human ecology, future outlook.

The laboratory part includes experiments and field trips, Training on plants and animals preservation.

Basic concepts of population genetics and classical principles of heredity. Aspects of mutation, and phenotype to establish dominancy genes.

Nature of the chemical constituents of living organisms, including water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and enzymes. Hydrogen ion concentration of biological systems. Metabolism and metabolic pathways.

The integration and control of the metabolism of cellular constituents formation and function of membranes. Synthesis of nucleic acids and the role they play in transmitting the genetic code.

The laboratory part includes experimental study of basic principles and methods in biochemistry.

Study of primary metabolites including, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites will be studied and emphasis is placed on enzymatic control.

Laboratory part will facus on detection of biochemicals by different techniques.

An introduction to the principles of nutrition. Emphasis is placed on the basic nutritional needs of humans. Importance of food in health and disease including those resulting from malnutrition.

Study of nutrients, which are essential for plant life. Emphasis is placed on deficiency and methods to solve problems of plant diseases.

An introduction to the processes and conditions that determine the behavior of animals. Emphasis will be placed on anatomical and physiological foundations of behavior . Social behavior and the relationship between behavior and ecology. The laboratory part includes experiments designed to clarify the lecture part.

Introduction of Biotechnology. Focus on cell culture and conditions required for invitro culture. Tools, advantages and risks of Biotechnology will be described. Relation of Biotechnology with other sciences will be discussed.

Study of all living forms, focus on the natural habitats and interaction among living organisms to show the balance in nature. Protection of Biodiversity will be addressed.

Effect of science on society. Effect of societys ideology (i-e. religion) on development of scientific research. The ethical concern about the impact of the biosciences will be addressed. Focus on ethical conduct of scientific research. The impact of issues at thee interface of science & religion and religions responses to new scientific achievements.

Relation between genetec information and its function in living organisms. Genetic analysis to trace and establish relationship between closely related living organisms.

This course includes presentations of the morphology and life cycles of various insects; their ecological relationships. Practical aspects will be stressed wherever necessary.

Propagation of plants. Study plant growth and development under optimum conditions for large scale production. Focus on agricultural botany.

The importance of using green house for production of plants or their food products.

The establishment and administration of green houses. Examinations to control environment of green houses.

Introduction to initiation and establishment of plant tissue cultures under aseptic technique, control and growth of plant cultures under optimum conditions. Micro propagation and production of natural products will be examined .

Study of different types of fungi, including their development. life cycles , reproduction , and optimal conditions for their growth . Emphasizing those economically important . The laboratory section will include experiments designed to cultivate isolate and identify the various types of fungi , especially those responsible for food spoilage and diseases .

Introduction to the basic principles involved in plant diseases. Emphasis on the identification of organisms infecting economical field crops , vegetables and tree fruits. A study of deficiency , diseases and their control . Laboratory stress on practical identification , visual observations and microscopic work of different plant diseases.

Classification, morphology, chemical, composition, genetics, multiplication, and isolation of viruses. Their effect on host cells. Viral diseases of man, animals , and plants.

The course provides the student with an overall view of the immune system's response to exogenous antigen. Stressing antibody production. Structure, lymphocyte subpopulation cell-cell interaction ; cell mediated immune responses; histocompatability, transplantation, autoimmune disease, and tumor immunology.

The subject deals with the use of microorganisms in the food hygiene, processing and technology , such as tanning , sausage & cheese production and food preservation . Further , recent methods used in microbiological quality control will be addressed. The practical part includes experiments designed to clarify the theoretical section . Also visits to dairy , meat and vegetable canning industries.

It proceeds from the genetic material of man through the behavior of genes, in individuals, and in populations to the implications of human genetics on human society (Human genome) Hereditary disease. Inhereritance of human blood groups and other outstanding traits.

Topic of gene therapy and gene mapping will covered.

The aim of this course is to explain some aspects of biology in physical and chemical terms. The basic concept of the explanations being the standard chemical bonds. it also attempts to elucidate the structure and function of the genetic material in molecular terms by using a variety of methods including physical, chemical, biochemical and genetical techniques. Stress on protein synthesis and its regulation. Gene expression

Study of plant active constituents and examination of their biological activity. Focus will be placed on chemical analysis and characterization of natural products , as medicines .

The course provides the student with basic knowledge and understanding of the structure and characteristics of different tissues and organs of the body. Prepared histological slides are provided for laboratory study.

Study of the physical, chemical, and geological characteristics of marine ecology. Emphasis is placed on marine ecological systems, different nutritional level, marine populations of sandy and rocky coasts of seas and oceans. Comparison of different marine habitats . Morphological and physiological adaptations in marine populations.

This course involves training the students on how to use the library, especially in finding recent developments in their respective major field journals and computer literature surveys are required.

Students are required to give a presentation over a thirty minutes period employing various means of clarification. The student is then requested to answer questions about his presentation.

The aim of this course is to teach selected topics of current interest in the major fields of biology. Emphasis will be placed on recent literature and advances in biology.

The student chooses a topic in one of the major fields of biology with the consent of the department. The project should be completed and a written report submitted within one semester. Only those with very good averages are allowed to take this course.

Medical Technology Minor Courses

The aim of this course is to teach students how to avoid infections that are caused by microorganisms, with the epidemiology, prevention and control of these infections. Stress on common local diseases and how to make surveys.

Role of pathogenic microbes in causing disease in humans. Techniques and lab experiments employed in the isolation and identification of these microbes and their susceptibility to (antimicrobial ) drugs.

Introduction to pharmacology includes teaching students about drugs used in the treatment of disease such as hypertension, diabetes, and anemia. Nervous, respiratory and digestive system disorders & those used in anesthesia. This course concentrates on the pharmacological actions and uses of those drugs. Symptoms of drug toxicity and treatment methods will be included.

Course content includes theoretical studies in the principles of Hematology. Origin, development, and functions of blood cells. Hemoglobin and its functions, blood clotting and its importance. Study and classification of blood diseases.

The practical part includes, collection of blood, complete blood counts (white cell count, red cell count, hemoglobin determination. differential white cell count and stained blood smear examination). Normal and abnormal blood and bone marrow smears will also be inspected.

ACADEMIC STAFF

NAME: Dr. Haroun Khanfar

Title : (Associate professor)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

Ph.D. in veterinary medicine (Parasitology),1980,University of Belgrade (Yugoslavia)

M.Sc. in veterinary medicine (Parasitology),1977,University of Belgrade(Yugoslavia)

Graduate veterinarian (D.V.M) (Parasitology),1973,University of Belgrade(Yugoslavia)

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Immunogenic and antigenic properties of tissue parasites.

•  Identification the antigenic parts(proteins) of parasites using antibodies.

•  Preparation of vaccines.

•  Parasitic diseases in Palestine.

NAME: Dr. Khaled Salem (Sawalha)

Title : (Assistant professor).

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

Ph.D. in plant Biotechnology, 1994, University of London, UK.

Post graduate Diploma, Modern Botanical Methods of 1987, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

B.Sc. Biology and Biochemistry, 1981, Birzeit University, Palestine

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Plant tissue culture.

•  Biotechnology,i.e. production of plant secondary metabolites.

•  Plant Biodiversity with focus on Palestine flora.

•  Biological control of plant diseases.

•  Medicinal plants of Palestine (Bioactivity)

NAME: Dr.Abed Al- Kareem Al- Sheriff

Title : (Assistant professor).

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, 1984, University of London, UK.

B.Sc. in Biology, 1980, University of London, UK.

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Isolation and characterization of membrane lipids.

•  Enzyme assays of phosphates.

•  Effect of light on Biological tissues.

NAME: Dr.Jaber Masalha

Title : (Associate professor)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

•  Ph.D. in plant Nutrition, 1998 Justuss Libeg University, Germany.

•  M.Sc. in Agricultural Science, 1994 Justuss Libeg University, Germany.

RESEARCH INTER INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  plant Nutrition.

•  Essential nutrients(macro & micronutrients)for plant crops.

•  Plant diseases.

•  Plant Biodiversity.

•  Active compounds from plants.

NAME:Mr. Zaher Al- Masri

Title : (lecturer)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

•  M.Sc. in Biology, 1981, University of Jordan.

•  B.Sc. in Biology, 1976, University of Jordan

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Public Health.

•  Food contamination.

•  Control of infection diseases.

•  Extraction of antimicrobes from raw materials.

NAME: Mr. Ali Awwad

Title : (lecturer)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

•  M.Sc. in Horticulture, 1985, university of Wisconsin, USA.

•  B.Sc. in plant production, 1969, University of Mosul, Iraq.

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Horticulture and nurseries.

•  Plant production.

NAME: Mr. Omar Ibdair

Title : (Lecturer)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

•  M.Sc. in Microbiology, 1981, Karachi University Pakistan.

•  B.Sc. in microbiology, 1980, Karachi University, Pakistan.

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Microbiology and virology.

•  Animal tissue culture.

NAME: Mr. Khader Shokeh

Title : (Lecturer)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

•  M.Sc. in 1987 Clinical Hematology, Buffalo, USA.

•  B.Sc. in medical Technology, 1982, Al-Quds University, Palestine.

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Medical Technology.

•  Hematology, Blood Banking.

NAME: Mrs. Reem Yaghmour.

Title : (Lecturer)

QUALIFICATIONS : (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, LOCATION)

•  M.Sc. in Biology 1997, Al -Najah University, Palestine.

•  B.Sc. in Biology, 1985, Al- Quds University, Palestine.

•  Diploma in Education of Science, 1986, Al-Quds University, Palestine.

RESEARCH INTERESTS (BRIEF):

•  Natural products of medical plants.

•  Biological activity.