College of Science and General Studies
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Life Sciences
Vice Dean for Acaemic& Student Affairs: Ali Hendaoui, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, College of Science & General Studies. Ph.D., University of Paris13, France.
Director of Life Science Program: Rashid Mehmood, Assistant Professor, Department of Life Sciences, College of Science & General Studies. Ph.D., Osaka University, Japan
Program History
The Life Sciences program at Alfaisal University is an interdisciplinary program at the interface of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental, and Biomedical Sciences. The program received the Ministry of Education’s approval in 2013. The program aims to serve the national policy in developing a knowledge-based economy in key science areas such as biological, biomedical, chemical, environmental, and technology disciplines. The Kingdom has ample need for growth in basic science instruction to produce competent students who will contribute to sustainable development and economic growth. The program curriculum and training prepare the students to pursue further graduate studies in various fields, including biological sciences, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, chemical sciences, and in biotechnology & nanotechnology fields.
Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences Program Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences offers three majors for students to choose from: Biological Sciences & Nanotechnology, Environmental Sciences & Sustainability, and Biomedical Science. The first two years are common for all majors, and in the 3rd year students start taking courses that are specific to the major of their choice. Students also have access to a variety of advanced electives courses to choose from including cancer biology, forensic science, environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, bioinformatics, and special topics. The Life Sciences Program requires a total of 135 credit hours to complete the program. This includes general education requirements (24 credits), college requirement courses (36 credits), program requirement courses (45 credits), major requirement courses (18 credits), major electives (6 credits), college electives (advanced science electives-6 credits) and summer internship (0 credits). All courses carry three credit hours except the courses with labs (described as +L). Students who meet requirement conditions may take one or more graduate courses to fulfill program graduation requirements (maximum of nine credit-hours).
Life Sciences Degree Options
Biological Sciences & Nanotechnology (BSN)
Environmental Science and sustainability