Program Overview
Molecular genetics is an important sub discipline of the major field of biological/life sciences. It has its tremendous contribution in the recent and historical advancements since the discovery of DNA double helical structure by Watson and Crick, as well as other landmark discoveries such as polymerase chain reaction followed by the initiation of human genome sequencing project. Molecular genetics mainly focuses on but is not limited to the genetic information of the living organisms in terms of storage, transmission as well as expression and control of genetic information. In the current era of huge technological advancements although most rather all the sciences are interrelated and cannot be fully separated from one another, molecular genetics still occupies its space in the life science disciplines.
In the department of biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, faculty members having background in the field of molecular genetics are engaged in conducting quality research on various aspects of molecular genetics. Research done in our laboratories is routinely published in good quality peer review scientific journals. Familial studies are conducted on different families having various clinical phenotypes that follow mendelian patterns of inheritance, whereas sporadic forms of the diseases are subjected to genetic case-control model of studies in which associated of a single locus is established with a disease phenotype by genotyping cases as well as controls followed by appropriate statistical analysis.
Entry Requirements
Generally, for getting admission to MS Molecular Genetics program candidates need to fulfill following criteria: -
- BS degree (16-year education) in the relevant field is required.
- Candidates should not have third divisions in their academic careers.
- A CGPA 2.5/4 in semester system and first division (60% marks) in annual system.
- NTS GAT General with 50% marks or above.
Research Opportunities
In the major program of MS molecular genetics specializations can be sought in the various aspects of the human genetics including but not limited to the following areas:
- Cancer genetics
- Cardiovascular genetics (myocardial infarction, familial hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia)
- Ophthalmic genetics (retinitis pigmentosa, cataract, glaucoma, high myopia, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma)
- Neurogenetics (neuropsychiatric genetics, neurodevelopmental genetics, epilepsy, Dyslexia and ADHD)
- Hepatobiliary genetics (gallstone disease, liver diseases)
Career Prospects
- Students graduating from the department of biosciences in molecular genetics may readily be absorbed in different settings among which most obvious are listed below: -
- Academia: Most of the students start their careers as school or college teachers at different levels and graduates of our university are trained in such a way that they become ambassadors of the institute in terms of training and well-being as well as expression of thoughts and communication.
- Hospitals & Medical Laboratories: Molecular genetics graduates of CUI are likely to get positions in molecular biology laboratories of different public as well as private hospitals.
- Public Service Commission: All the graduates have an opportunity to take part in the open competition examinations conducted by the federal government and provincial governments to compete for the higher management positions in the country.
- International Job Market: Highly competent students are likely to get relevant positions in international organizations also.
Scholarships available
Admitted students are offered a range of different merit as well as need-based scholarship opportunities from higher education commission of Pakistan. In some funded projects of different faculty members, generous scholarships are also offered to the admitted students based on merit and their academic achievements.