Unlock your potential with our biology program, where you can dive into the fascinating worlds of marine biology or molecular and cell biology. Our curriculum blends biomedical sciences with a liberal arts education, ensuring you develop into an independent learner, problem solver, and ethical expert. Join us to become a leader in the field, ready to make a meaningful impact on society.
Program Description
Studying animals, plants, and human structure and function on different levels in health and disease, laboratory techniques such as working with microscopes and cell culture, computational tools and their application in human health and disease.
High school diploma or equivalent, acceptable grade average, English proficiency test, aptitude test according to specialization
Core Curriculum (33 credits)
The remaining 7 credit hours required to satisfy the core are fulfilled by the concentration Science/lab (4 cr.) and the capstone projects BIOL 495/4980 – Senior Research Thesis (1 cr.) and BIOL 496/4981 – Seminar in Biology (2 cr.)
Biology Requirements (62 credits)
a. Concentration Requirements (46 credits)
BIOL 104/1011 – Introductory Biology I (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 105/1012 – Introductory Biology II (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 211/2230 – Molecular and Cell Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 214/2340 – General Botany (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 221/2150 – Genetics (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 241/2090 – Quantitative Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 307/3310 – Microbiology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 310/3130 – Molecular Evolution and Population Genetics (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 312/3326 – Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 315/3280 – Biochemistry (3 cr.)
BIOL 341/3510 – Ecology (3 cr. + 1 cr lab)
BIOL 495/4980 – Senior Research Thesis (1 cr.)
BIOL 496/4981 – Seminar in Biology (2 cr.)
b. Biology Electives (16 credits)
Sixteen additional credits from 3000- and 4000- level from the courses listed below:
BIOL 302/3040 – Environmental Biology for Engineers (2 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 313/3340 – Invertebrate Zoology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 320/3341 – Animal Behavior (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 301/3360 – Animal Physiology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 303/3370 – Developmental Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 305/3540 – Environmental Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 306/3541 – Environmental Biology of the Red Sea (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 345/3542 – GIS For Biologists (4 cr.)
BIOL 360/3600 – Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 cr.)
BIOL 399/3910 – Guided Studies in Environmental Sciences (3 cr.)
BIOL 411/4150 – Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 415/4230 – Immunology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 430/4330 – Tumor Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 440/4540 – Marine Ecology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 445/4541 – Desert Ecology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 408/4930 – Selected Topics in Biology (1-4 cr.)
Collateral Requirements (25 credits)
CHEM 105/1005 – General Chemistry I (3 cr.)
CHEM 106/1006 – General Chemistry II (3 cr.)
CHEM 115L/1015 – General Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
CHEM 116L/1016 – General Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
CHEM 203/2003 – Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
CHEM 306/3006 – Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
CHEM 310L/3010 – Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1 cr.)
MACT 112/1221 – Statistical Reasoning (3 cr.)
MACT 131/1121 – Calculus I (3cr.)
PHYS 111/1011 – Classical Mechanics, Sound and Heat (3 cr.)
PHYS 123L/1012 – General Physics Laboratory I (1 cr.)
General electives (9 credits)
Concentration in Marine Biology
The Department of Biology offers a concentration in Marine Biology to provide students the opportunity to thoroughly study the marine resources and habitats of our planet, in particular those of Egypt (Red Sea and Mediterranean).
The Concentration in Marine Biology requires that students complete 16 credits from the following list of courses, as outline below.
Four credits required:
BIOL 411/4150 – Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
Eight credits to be selected from:
BIOL 306/3541 – Environmental Biology of the Red Sea (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 399/3910 – Guided Studies in Environmental Sciences (3 cr.) 1
BIOL 440/4540 – Marine Ecology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 408/4930 – Selected Topics in Biology (1-4 cr.) 1
1 Only marine biology selected topics and guided studies courses will be counted towards the concentration. Requires advisor and chairs’ approvals.
Four credits to be selected from:
BIOL 313/3340 – Invertebrate Zoology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 320/3341 – Animal Behavior (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 345/3542 – GIS For Biologists (4 cr.)
Concentration in Molecular and Cell Biology
The Concentration in Molecular and Cell Biology require that students complete 16 credits from the following list of courses below. Students can only chose one 500 level course.
BIOL 303/3370 – Developmental Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 411/4150 – Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 415/4230 – Immunology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 430/4330 – Tumor Biology (3 cr. + 1 cr. lab)
BIOL 408/4930 – Selected Topics in Biology (1-4 cr.) 1
BIOL 410/4910 – Guided Studies in Biology (1-4 cr.) *
BIOT 502/5202 – Cell and Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
BIOT 504/5204 – Experimental Biotechnology (3 cr.)
¹Only Molecular and Cell Biology selected topics and guided studies courses will be counted towards the concentration and requires advisor and chairs approval.
Program Overview
To request more information about the program
Contact Admission
The American University in Cairo