Dr. Elias Chalhoub
Chair of the Department of Biology
PhD in Molecular Genetics - University of Montpellier II, France

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The Bachelor of Science program in the Department of Biology educates students on life processes that span molecular, cellular, system, organismal, and population levels. This education is directed by an unflinching view towards preparing, and facilitating the access of, students for their future careers, primarily in health care; however, the educational system, Emphasis in Healthcare track, and Minor in Information Technology track expand career paths of graduates, including in medical studies, graduate studies in computational biology or bioinformatics, employment in education, and entrepreneurship.
The educational system incorporates novel educational paradigms that focus on student engagement, practical experiences that introduce students to medical professions, and networking opportunities with healthcare providers. This professional development is integrated within a structure that is based on collaboration, respect, and empathy.
The Department of Biology provides the framework within which most science disciplines are taught at Saint Georges University of Beirut. Offered courses include biological sciences, chemistry, physics, math, and social sciences.
Our classes are given in a unique way, mainly focusing on students’ engagement and aiming at developing lifelong seekers of knowledge, competencies, and social involvement. This active learning approach encourages cooperative endeavors that eventually enhance team spirit and critical thinking skills among all members of the Department who, in addition to their academic strengths, are involved in practical experiences closely related to their chosen specialties or careers.
Our curriculum revolves around a “pre-medical” focus that prepares students for their higher education specialties at reputable local or international medical schools. It also provides students with opportunities to acquire central skills in Information Technology by obtaining a minor degree in this discipline, which is becoming more and more intertwined with the medical field. The aims of such a large scope of courses is to blur the boundaries across different sciences and encourage interdisciplinarity.
Our Bachelor of Sciences program trains students to tackle the challenges of research, especially in emerging, interdisciplinary areas. We expect the majority of our graduates to pursue further medical or graduate studies. Our graduates are trained for a wider range of careers, such as teaching, product development, and consultancy.
Our department’s strong suit is the plethora of skills that students develop. These skills prepare them for real life beyond the campus life they have experienced at SGUB, no matter what path they choose. These are the assets that are sought by most recruiting entities.
So what are you waiting for? Join our department now!
PhD in Molecular Genetics - University of Montpellier II, France
English is the major language of instruction at SGUB. All applicants should demonstrate an adequate level of English Proficiency prior to enrollment.
The Department of Biology offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology program with the opportunity to concurrently engage and acquire expertise in sub-fields (Emphases) or other fields (Minors). The following structured programs are offered:
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ARAB 201 |
Academic Arabic
The course teaches students the basic elements of the Arabic language including grammar, syntax, morphology, and vocabulary with a focus on oral and communication skills. Emphasis is also placed on the analytical study of a wide variety of Arabic literary texts, with students exposed to major Arabic literary authors. |
3 |
ENGL 201 |
Academic English I
This course develops students’ critical thinking and helps them compose academic essays on a wide variety of topics. In addition to improving writing skills, this course develops the abilities of students to express their ideas clearly and confidently during class discussions and presentations while expanding their lexical, analytical, and collaborative skills. |
3 |
BIOL 201 |
General Biology and Evolution
BIOL 201 covers fundamental principles of Biology. A holistic view is generated from the analysis of processes at the molecular level to their incorporation into multicellular organizations. Evolutionary shaping forces will be integrated to provide a platform for understanding the origins and diversity of life. |
4 |
MATH 210 |
Calculus l
This course covers topics that include Fundamentals of Calculus, Equations, Functions, Limits, Continuity, Differentiation with Addition to Integration Techniques, Improper Integrals, and Infinite series. |
3 |
CHEM 201 |
General Chemistry
CHEM 201 promotes the understanding of basic chemical principles. Topics covered include measurements, atomic theory, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, acids and bases, and nuclear chemistry. |
4 |
|
|
Total 17 |
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ENGL 202 |
Academic English II
Building on the skills acquired in Preparatory English and Academic English I, this course is designed to expand students’ understanding of key linguistic areas, with emphasis on reading comprehension and analysis, synthesis, critiquing, argumentation, and research techniques associated with academic work. |
3 |
PHYS 201 |
Physics I
PHYS 201 provides an introduction to mechanics. This includes motion in one and two dimensions, Newton’s laws of motion and their applications, work and energy, linear momentum and collisions, rotational motion, and principles of conservation. |
3 |
CHEM 210 |
Organic Chemistry
CHEM 210 provides the necessary foundation to understand the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds. Topics include structure, stereochemistry, nomenclature, synthesis, properties, and reactions of the major classes of organic compounds. |
4 |
BIOL 310 |
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
BIOL 310 covers the foundations of Genetics and Genomics. The inter-related topics include: 1) How the phenotypes of cells and organisms are connected to the information encoded within DNA templates; 2) How cells and organisms transmit information to the next generation; and 3) How DNA sequencing and recombinant DNA technology can be used to analyze and manipulate genomic information. |
4 |
MATH 201 |
Discrete Math
Discrete Mathematics is a branch of applied mathematics that deals with arrangements of discrete objects. Students will develop skills in applying fundamental mathematical principles, including logical reasoning, sets, relations and functions, propositional logic, and difference equations. The relevance of Discrete Mathematics to selected scientific and computing fields will also be explored. |
3 |
|
|
Total 17 |
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PSYC 201 |
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 201 introduces the concepts and theories of psychology and their links to biological processes. The topics covered in this course include sensation, perception, and learning and memory. |
3 |
BIOL 320 |
Cell Biology and Development
BIOL 320 highlights eukaryotic cell biological concepts, that include cellular organization, transport, function, and development. The focus will be primarily on eukaryotic cells and the relationship of cellular mechanisms to developmental biology. |
4 |
CHEM 320 |
Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 320 offers hands-on and computer-simulated experiences that train stuents in the design, implementation, and analysis of results from chemistry experiments. |
3 |
PHYS 202 |
Physics II
PHYS 202 covers electromagnetism topics, including a study of electric charges, forces, and field, Coulomb’s law, electric potential and electric potential energy, electric current, electric circuits, and an introduction to magnetism. |
3 |
CHUM 300 |
General Anthropolgy
CHUM 300 introduces students to the discipline of anthropology and presents the theoretical knowledge of the four major subfields: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. This course also emphasizes the holistic nature of the discipline. Students explore key questions of human diversity in the past, present, and future. |
3 |
|
|
Total 16 |
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SOCI 201 |
Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 201 introduces the scientific discipline that is used to study society. SOCI 201 focuses on the systematic understanding of social interaction, social organization, social institutions, spocial inequality, and social change. |
3 |
BIOL 311 |
Molecular Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 311 offers experiences that cover the practical and analytical aspects of modern Molecular Biology. Hands-on training on recombinant DNA methods will be complemented by problem-solving exercises that are based on the generation of data from computer-simulated experiments. |
3 |
BIOL 210 |
Biochemistry
BIOL 210 covers the fundamentals of metabolism at the cellular and organismal levels, with a focus on regulatory mechanisms that control metabolic flux. Topics include metabolic flux through energy converting pathways, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides. |
3 |
PHYS 310 |
Physics Laboratory
PHYS 310 combines hands-on and computer-simulated experiences that train stuents in the design, implementation, and analysis of results from physics experiments. |
3 |
BIOL 321 |
Functional Morphology
BIOL 321 develops an understanding of the biology of human anatomy and physiology. This includes how structures develop and interact with one another to allow animals to function under different conditions. |
3 |
BIOL 330 |
Epistemology of Biomedical Sciences
BIOL 330 promotes an understanding of the validity of methodology and the influence of historical and cultural milieu in Biology and Medicine. The focus is on developing critical thinking skills in the biomedical sciences. |
2 |
BIOL 340 |
Medicine and Community (Internship) I
BIOL 340 establishes, assists, and advises pre-health experiences, such as shadowing a doctor in a hospital environment or volunteering in health-related activities. These experiences will be evidenced by recommendation letters from the physician or health professional on successful completion. |
1 |
|
|
Total 18 |
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BIOL 422 |
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
BIOL 422 provides an introduction to the fascinating biology of nervous systems. The emphasis is on mammalian neurobiology, moving from general neuroanatomy and basic cellular mechanisms to more integrated functions of the nervous system. |
3 |
STAT 202 |
Probability & Statistics
This course provides an introduction to probability and statistics with applications. Topics include basic probability models, random variables, notions of sampling, hypothesis testing, discrete and continuous probability distributions, statistical estimation and testing, confidence intervals, and an introduction to linear regression. |
3 |
CHUM 201 |
Cultures and Humanities Exploration I
CHUM 201 explores historical and cultural perspectives to investigate existential topics, including the basis of ethics and morality, and the origins of socio-political systems. CHUM 201 is interdisciplinary at its core, promotes critical thinking skills through the analysis of primary historical and current texts, and nurtures the ability of students to establish relationships between different information and to formulate new ideas. |
3 |
COMM 344 |
Communication & Presentation Skills
The course helps students in acquiring the range of skills necessary for impactful business interactions with small and large audiences, as well as one-on-one interactions, by tackling areas such as presentation skills, physical presence and body language, voice training, and team building. In parallel, the course will explore argumentation techniques that can be used to optimally convey content to any type of audience in a structured and impactful way, improving persuasion skills and optimally making use of rhetorical techniques. |
3 |
BIOL 440 |
Medicine and Community (Internship) II
BIOL 440 establishes, assists, and advises pre-health experiences, such as shadowing a doctor in a hospital environment or volunteering in health-related activities. These experiences will be evidenced by recommendation letters from the physician or health professional on successful completion |
3 |
|
|
Total 15 |
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BIOL 420 |
Principles of Microbiology
BIOL 420 introduces basic principles of Micrbiology covering cellular, biochemical and molecular aspects of metabolism, genetics, cell structure, and host-parasite interactions. Some emphasis will be placed on the roles of microbes in health and disease. |
3 |
BIOL 421 |
Mechanisms of Immunology
BIOL 421 explores the basic principles of immune system function, primarily human. This includes introducing the cells and factors which mediate the various types of immune responses, as well as their mechanisms of action in such processes as hypersensitivity reactions, inflammation, and neoplastic transformation. |
3 |
CHUM 202 |
Cultures and Humanities Exploration II
CHUM 202 is a natural extension of CHUM 201. CHUM 202 explores historical and cultural perspectives to investigate existential topics, including the nature of the mind, the origins of belief, and the purpose of human existence. CHUM 202 is interdisciplinary at its core, promotes critical thinking skills through the analysis of primary historical and current texts, and nurtures the ability of students to establish relationships between different information and to formulate new ideas. |
3 |
BIOL 430 |
BioEthics
BIOL 430 develops critical interdisciplinary thinking and dialogue on ethical issues in biomedical activities (research and health), and explores key-tools that assist researchers and physicians in decision-making. |
2 |
BIOL 431 |
History of Medical Thought
BIOL 431 promotes the development of a “virtuous physician” by discussing a large panel of cultural topics linked to th History of Medicine. These activities maintain the sense of "wonder" in students, and an appreciation for “moral virtues” and not only “ethical values”. |
3 |
COMM 346 |
Interpersonal Arabic Communication
The course explores various facets of Arabic communication, including psychology (managing relationships and understanding the psyche of patients), sociology (understanding cultural and religious taboos that can affect doctor/patient rapports), and communication (projecting empathy, uplifting the morale of patients, persuading stakeholders, etc.). |
3 |
|
|
Total 17 |
The Saint George University of Beirut (SGUB), built on established traditions of education, healthcare, and community service, located adjacent to Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, in the heart of Beirut, is a vibrant place to learn, develop, and establish solid foundations for future careers and aspirations.
We are pleased that you have chosen to learn more about undergraduate studies at SGUB, and we hope that you will apply during the coming months.
Please examine the provided information about the academic requirements, procedures, and deadlines before you complete your application.
At SGUB, we have made it our goal to help you realize yours by offering a wide range of Financial Aid plans to qualified undergraduate students facing family and financial difficulties or constraints regardless of religion, culture, gender, or nationality.
As a service to our community and society, we will provide financial assistance to ensure that students can afford a premier education at SGUB.
For more information about Financial Aid Application please contact us on: admissions@sgub.edu.lb