Bachelor of Science(B.Sc) Course Description

General Biochemistry

(1)

BCH 201

3 (3+0)

This is the first part of a general introductory biochemistry course.  This part covers relevant chemical concepts (chemical bonds, functional groups, equilibrium, and energy), building blocks of cellular components, structure and properties of water, buffers, structure and properties of amino acids, peptide bond, protein structure, structural & functional classification of proteins, and introduction to enzymes and metabolism.

General Biochemistry

(2)

BCH 302

4 (3+1)

BCH 201

This is the second part of a general introductory biochemistry course.  This part covers carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and relevant chemical moieties (hormones, vitamins, etc.), with special emphasis on macromolecules structures and functions.

Biochemical Calculations

BCH 312

3 (2+1)

BCH 201

An introductory course that deals with  the most common calculation problems in biochemistry including calculation of concentration,  pH value, ionization of weak acids, buffer composition, and reaction constants as well as the subjects of spectrophotometric  measurements  and statistical analysis of data.  The course also offers tutorials on  the same subjects supported by hands-on experiments whenever possible.

General Enzymology

BCH 321

3 (3+0)

BCH 201

General aspects: nature of enzymes, localization,  units of enzyme activity, specificity and specific Nonenzyme catalysts: ribuzymes and abzymes. Enzymes kinetics. Michaelis-Menten equation. Enzyme inhibition. Irreversible inhibition and suicide inhibition. Bisubstrate reaction. Cooperativity and allosteric enzyme. The transition state theory and its analogs. Types of enzymatic catalysis. Definition, classification of coenzymes. Multimolecular form of enzymes. Isolation, purification, characterization of enzymes and criteria of purity of enzymes. Applications of free and immobilized enzymes in the food, and pharmaceutical industries. Enzyme applications in cheese manufacture. Utilization of enzymes baking. Analytical and therapeutic applications of enzymes.

Experiments in Enzymology

BCH 322

2 (0+2)

BCH 201

A set of special experiments designed to study parameters of enzyme activity, activation & inhibition, and isolation & characterization of enzymes.

Biophysical Biochemistry

BCH 332

3 (3+2)

BCH 302

A course designed to study the methods for purification and characterization of biomolecules.  The topics of this course include biochemical applications of Spectroscopy (absorption, fluorescence, and Mass spectroscopy), basic & common methods (tissue homogenization, dialysis, filtration, and salting out), Hydrodynamic methods (various forms and applications of centrifugation), Electrophoresis (paper, PAGE, and agarose), various forms and applications of Chromatography (gel filtration, ion-exchange, adsorption, affinity, and HLPC), and Radioisotope applications in Biochemistry.

Experiments in Biophysical Biochemistry

BCH 333

2 (0+2)

BCH 302

A set of experiments to introduce the students to the most common methods and equipments used in biochemistry.

Metabolism

(1)

BCH 340

3 (3+0)

BCH 321

Introduction to metabolism and bioenergetics . Saccharides metabolism . Glycogen metabolism . Glycolysis and its regulation . Citric acid cycle , glyoxylate cycle . Oxidative phosphorylation . Gluconeogenesis . Diabetes . Pentos phosphate shunt . Photosynthesis . Defects in carbohydrate metabolism . Classification of lipid , lipolysis , lipogenesis . Biosynthesis of fatty acids . Oxidation of fatty acids . Ketogenesis . Defect in lipid metabolism.

Molecular

Biology

BCH 361

4 (3+1)

BCH 302

This course covers fundamental aspects of molecular biology with emphasis on human genome: composition, chemical and physical properties, genes, and gene products. The course covers most DNA-associated processes such as replication, transcription, translation, as well as DNA transposition, recombination and rearrangements, gene expression, and recent advances in molecular biology. The course aims at providing basic knowledge necessary to understand the importance of the central dogma in molecular biology and the more advanced concepts such as genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology.

Enzyme Mechanisms

BCH 323

2 (2+0)

BCH 321

Types of enzymatic catalysis; energy generation and utilization in enzyme catalysis; coenzymes and their role in catalysis; detailed mechanism of the action of some selected enzymes; cooperativity and allosterism; regulation of cellular reactions by enzymes and how they are being controlled.

Metabolism

(2)

BCH 440

3 (3+0)

BCH 340

Lipoproteins properties and their metabolism. Metabolism of prostaglandins. Sterol metabolism. Digestion and absorption of amino acids. Catabolism of amino acids. Biosynthesis of amino acids.Conversion of amino acids to specialized products. Biochemistry of prophyrins. Integration ofmetabolism.

Biochemistry of Specialized Tissues

BCH 450

2 (2+0)

BCH 340

Composition, properties, biosynthesis of the following tissues: Connective tissues, Bone, Cartilage, Teeth, epithelial tissue, Muscle tissue and their contraction, Nerve tissue , Brain, Kidney and Liver.

Bioenergetics

BCH 441

2 (2+0)

BCH 321

Introduction and definitions. Flow of energy  and matter through the biosphere. Principle of bioenergetics. Free energy and equilibrium constants. High-energy compounds: structures and properties. Role of ATP. Coupled reactions. Energetic of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism. Redox reactions and potentials. Mitochondrial electron transport and mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation. Energetic of photosynthesis and transport across biomembranes.

Biophysics

BCH 434

2 (2+0)

BCH 340

Biomechanics; fluid properties; flow of fluids; flow of heat in biological systems and its medical applications. Channel and black membranes. Hearing and applications of sound in medicine; function of DNA and proteins; radiation oncology (treatment of cancer by ionizing radiations). X-ray diffraction and diagnostic radiology (diagnostic imaging with X-rays, ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance: NMR); nuclear medicine (diagnosis using radioisotopes); health physics (radiation hazards and radiation protection); physiological biophysics.

Biomembranes and

Cell Signaling

BCH 452

2 (2+0)

BCH 302

General structural and functional properties of natural and synthetic membranes. Functions and properties of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates of biomembranes. Solubilization and fractionation of biomembranes. Fluids mosaic model. Types of transport across biomembranes. Calculation of energy change in each case. Composition and function of the different types of cellular membranes: Membranes of erythrocyte, intestinal mucosa, renal tubules, muscle cells, mitochondria, nerve cells, retinal cells and bacterial cells. Types and properties of signals and signal transduction. Biosynthesis and assembly of membranes.

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

BCH 462

4(2+2)

BCH 361

The main objective of this course is to introduce the modern and emerging approaches in Molecular Biotechnology and its applications in Biochemistry. The course is divided into four rotations, each with its own theoretical and practical sessions with emphasis on the theoretical basis of each technique, the actual working method, hands-on experience, pitfall and strengths of each technique.

Practical Metabolism

BCH 447

2 (0+2)

BCH 340

A selection of metabolic experiments that include carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

Blood Biochemistry

BCH 471

3 (2+1)

BCH 302

Physical properties and functions of blood. Cellular and non-cellular components of blood. Structure and function of hemoglobin. Metabolism of erythrocytes and its abnormalities (e.g. jaundice). Types of anemia, biochemical basis of each. Types and functions of leucocytes. Coagulation and its interrelationship to platelets. Blood formation and its disorders. Types of plasma proteins and their variation in different diseases.

Biochemistry of Biological Fluids

BCH 472

3 (2+1)

BCH 321

Types and distribution of body fluids. Samples collection and management. Urine: Formation; normal and abnormal constituents and their role in diagnosis of renal, hepatic and blood diseases. Digestive tract secretions: saliva, bile, pancreatic juice; faeces and their relevance to laboratory diagnosis of some hepatic, pancreatic and intestinal diseases. Sweat analysis and its relevance to cystic fibrosis. Amniotic fluid and its relevance to some genetic diseases. Composition, function and physical properties of semen; milk; lymph; CSF; synovial fluid; tears, aqueous humour and mucous. Biochemical diagnostic tests related to these fluids.

Biomarkers in Health and Diseases

BCH 473

3 (2+1)

BCH 321

Definition of biomarkers and their general use a measure of tissue function. Significance and measurement of biomarkers associated with liver, kidney, & heart functions.  Common biomarkers associated with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases and dysfunctions, as well as other clinically useful biomarkers.

Bioinformatics

BCH 463

3 (1+2)

BCH 361

This is a practical course designed to train students in the use of public data banks & software to retrieve, analyze, and assemble biological data with special emphasis on concepts relating to gene and protein structures.

Gene Expression

BCH 464

2 (2+0)

BCH 361

This course covers fundamental aspects of eukaryotic gene regulation, including: organization of genes, gene expression (constitutive vs. inducible), genetic and epigenetic regulation, DNA and RNA binding proteins, posttranscriptional regulation, combinatorial networks of gene regulation, and genetic and biochemical methods for studying gene regulation.

Molecular Genetics

BCH 465

2 (2+0)

BCH 361

The main objective of this course is to provide knowledge about the fundamental aspects of genetic diseases, their classification, modes of inheritance, population genetics and genetic polymorphism, treatment, control and prevention, genetic counseling and bioethics.

Nanobiochemistry

BCH 436

2 (2+0)

BCH 440

Definition of nanobiochemistry. Preparation, classification and properties of nanostructures. Characterization of nanosystems. Self-assembling nanostructured molecular biochemical materials and devices. Biochemical activities of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles effects on immune system. Biochemical toxicity of nanoparticles. Environmental implications of nanomaterials. Biochemical applications of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, drug delivery, diagnostics, nanobiosensors.

Biochemistry of Nutrition

BCH 445

3 (2+1)

BCH 201

This course is designed to study nutrition via biochemical concepts with emphasis on biochemical and physiological fundamentals of nutrition. The course presents an integrated approach to the roles of protein, fat, carbohydrate, energy, minerals and vitamins in metabolism, and their relationships to nutritional concepts

Hormones

BCH 453

2 (2+0)

BCH 340

Definition and classification of hormones. Mechanism of action of hormones. Hypothalamus and pituitary hormones. Hormones of adrenal cortex. Hormones of the adrenal medulla. Thyroid gland hormones. Parathyroid hormones. Pancreatic hormones. Gonadal hormones.

Toxicology and Carcinogens

BCH 454

2 (2+0)

BCH 440

The aim of this course is to understand the mmechanism of genotoxic carcinogens and epigenetic carcinogens. How the environmental occurrence, and the environmental fate cause human exposure to carcinogens. This course also will focus in toxicity of molecular Oxygen, oxidation reduction biochemistry, xenobiotic induced methemoglobinemia  and biotransformation  of carcinogens. The course will look at carcinogenic mutagenesis and the covalent binding of xenobiotics to nucleic acids and protein molecules. The molecular principles of specific Toxicants will cover in this course such as alkylating agents, aromatic amines and polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbon. The course will give attention to cover the physical gents in carcinogenesis, mycotoxins, food additives and carcinogens and recent topics in carcinogens.

Molecular Basis of Cancer

BCH 466

2 (2+0)

BCH 462

This course will focus in the molecular basis of cancer by understanding the nature of the cancer cell and it’s development and the tumor mechanism in different tissues. This course will also cover the oncogenes, the proto-oncogenes and the tumor suppressor genes and the gene mutations causes cancer. This course will cover the apoptosis mechanism, cell signaling in cancer cells and how hormones, diet and viruses relate to cancer causes. Specific topics in cancer like genomic instability, chromosomal instability in human cancer and how environmental, hereditary factors co-operate in cancer and cancer epigenetics. Finally, this course will emphasize selected types of cancer in which a molecular basis elucidated and recent experimental strategies that reveal basic mechanism underlying the cancer.

Immunochemistry

BCH 477

2 (2+0)

BCH 440

The fundamental aspect of innate and adaptive immunity. Humoral immunity: antibodies: classes and subclasses, structure and function, biosynthesis, reaction with antigen. Complement system. T-lymphocytes and cell mediate immunity. Human HLA antigens and transplation immunity;  immunosuppression; hypersensitivity; autoimmunity; vaccination. Disorders; of the immuno deficiency. Immunochemistry techniques.

Principle & skills of scientific research

BCH 485
 

2 (2+0)

BCH 361
BCH 340
 

This course trains students with concepts and mechanisms of scientific research including the various stages of preparation, implementation and observing the ethics of scientific research.  The course also trains students with important techniques in Biochemistry.

Research and Seminar

BCH 497

3 (1+2)