Introduction
Biochemistry can be considered as chemistry of life and is central to all areas of the biological or life sciences. It deals with chemical processes taking place in all living organisms from viruses and bacteria to plants and animals. It specifically focuses on the study of biomolecules and vital processes that give rise to complexities of life. It comprehensively demonstrates human biochemical aspects pertaining to the wellbeing and in the pathological state.
BS Biochemistry has an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach enabling students to understand the core principles and experimental basis of Biochemistry. The scope of the discipline is extremely broad and graduates in Biochemistry can progress to a wide range of careers. They can work in national and international organization in either public or private sectors, biochemical industries, food production
companies, hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, pharmaceutical industries and research institutes etc. Biochemists may emerge as Genetic counselor, Forensic scientists, Healthcare officials, Sequencing data analyst, Research scientists, Project officers, Quality control officers, Genetic engineers etc.
The programme aims at developing human resources in the field of Biochemistry through appropriate education and research.
OBJECTIVES
Objectives of this programme are
- To equip students with the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for understanding basic as well as advanced and recent trends in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- To impart skills to carry out independent scientific and technical research in key areas of Biochemistry
- To equip students with laboratory procedures and techniques necessary to understand the life processes and enable them to serve in diagnostics and research labs
- To inculcate confidence among students to pursue higher
- education in their specialized areas of interest
Eligibility Criteria
F.Sc (Pre-medical) OR Equivalent “A” Level qualification with Biology as major subject.
Foreign certificate holders will need to produce equivalence certificate from IBCC to seek admission in 4 years BS Biochemistry.
Selection Process
Selected candidates will be granted admission subjected to fulfill eligibility criteria.
Duration
Medium of Instruction
Teaching Methodology
Face to Face Classes at AIOU main campus H-8 Islamabad
Total Credits Hours Required
|
Code
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab)
|
Category
|
|
BIO3507
|
Cell Biology
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
Major
|
|
ITHC3501 / HADH3501
|
Islamic Studies / Ethics
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General
|
|
PKST3502
|
Ideology & Constitution of Pakistan
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General
|
|
MATH3508
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 (3 + 0)
|
General
|
|
ENGL3505
|
Functional English
|
3 (3 + 0)
|
General
|
|
URD3503
|
Pakistani Adab – I
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General (Arts & Humanities)
|
|
BIO3509
|
Introductory Biochemistry
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
Major
|
|
Total
|
18
|
||
|
Code
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab)
|
Category
|
|
ENGL3504
|
Expository Writing
|
3 (3 + 0)
|
General
|
|
BIO3510
|
Fundamentals of Microbiology
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
Major
|
|
SOC3503
|
Civics and Community Engagement
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General
|
|
CS3503
|
Application of Information and Communication Technologies
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
General
|
|
MATH4505
|
Quantitative Reasoning II
|
3 (3 + 0)
|
General
|
|
SOC3506
|
Introduction to Sociology
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General
|
|
PKST3501
|
Pakistan Studies
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General
|
|
Total
|
18
|
||
|
Code
|
Course Title
|
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab)
|
Category
|
|
CHEM3501
|
Inorganic Chemistry
|
4 (3 + 1)
|
General
|
|
BIO4508
|
Diversity of Plants
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
Major
|
|
BIO4509
|
Diversity of Animals
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
Major
|
|
ENVS4501
|
Basics of Environmental Science
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
General (Natural Science)
|
|
MGT3503
|
Entrepreneurship
|
2 (2 + 0)
|
General
|
|
BIO4504
|
Genetics and Evolution
|
3 (2 + 1)
|
Major
|
|
Total
|
18
|
||
|
Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab) |
Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CHEM3502 |
Organic Chemistry |
4 (3 + 1) |
General |
|
BIO4505 |
Biosafety: Principles and Applications |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO4510 |
Biotechnology |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO4506 |
Animal Physiology and Ecology |
3 (3 + 0) |
Major |
|
BIO4507 |
Plant Physiology and Ecology |
3 (3 + 0) |
Major |
|
Total |
16 |
||
|
Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab) |
Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BIO5520 |
Amino Acids and Proteins |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO5521 |
Carbohydrates and Lipids |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO5525 |
Human Physiology |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO6525 |
Immunology |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO5519 |
Biochemical Techniques |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO5522 |
Microbial Genetics |
3 (2 + 1) |
Interdisciplinary |
|
TFSR3501 |
Fahm-e-Quran (Tajwid, Translation & Tafsir) |
NC |
|
|
Total |
18 |
|
Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab) |
Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BIO5530 |
Enzymology |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO5531 |
Nutritional Biochemistry |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO5526 |
Molecular Biology |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO6521 |
Metabolism – I |
3 (3 + 0) |
Major |
|
BIO5532 |
Clinical Biochemistry |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
SERT3501 |
Seerat-e-Tayyaba |
NC |
— |
|
Total |
15 |
|
Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab) |
Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BIO6516 |
Bio-membrane and Cell Signaling |
3 (3 + 0) |
Major |
|
BIO6524 |
Scientific Research and Report Writing |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
STAT3506 |
Biostatistics |
3 (3 + 0) |
Interdisciplinary |
|
BIO6523 |
Bioinformatics |
3 (2 + 1) |
Interdisciplinary |
|
BIO6522 |
Metabolism II |
3 (3 + 0) |
Major |
|
Total |
15 |
|
Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours (Theory + Lab) |
Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BIO6519 |
Capstone Project |
3 (0 + 3) |
Mandatory |
|
BIO6520 |
Internship / Field Experience |
3 (0 + 3) |
Mandatory |
|
BIO6528 |
Genetic Engineering |
3 (2 + 1) |
Major |
|
BIO6527 |
Epidemiology |
3 (2 + 1) |
Interdisciplinary |
|
Total |
12 |
1
2
Semesters
Workshop
Laboratory Workshops
Thesis
3 Credit Hours Capstone Project & 3 Credit Hours Internship
Practical
Either in the form of workshop during semester or continuous during semester depending upon schedule
Viva
After completion of thesis
Assessment Weightage
| For Theory Courses: | ||||
| S.No. | Components | Total Marks | Weightage | Passing Marks |
| 1 | Assignment | 10 | 20% | 50% (In aggregate) |
| 2 | Assignment 2 | 10 | ||
| 3 | Mid Term | 30 | 30% | |
| 4 | Attendance | 100 | Nil | 70% |
| 5 | Final Exam | 100 | 50% | 50% |
| For Theory-Practical Courses: | ||||
| S.No. | Components | Total Marks | Weightage | Passing Marks |
| 1 | Assignment | 10 | 20% | 50% (In aggregate) |
| 2 | Assignment 2 | 10 | ||
| 3 | Mid Term | 30 | 30% | |
| 4 | Practical | 15 | ||
| 5 | Attendance | 100 | Nil | 70% |
| 6 | Final Exam | 100 | 50% | 50% |
| For Practical/FYP Courses: | ||||
| S.No. | Components | Total Marks | Weightage | Passing Marks |
| 1 | Attendance | 100 | Nil | 70% |
| 2 | Final Exam | 100 | 100% | 50% |
Note: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reserves the right to amend the fee structure policy, course offering and assessment of courses when required. The existing course(s) will be adopted/adapted as per requirement. The department may change the sequence of the course(s) offering as per availability of course(s).