Metadata
Title
PhD in Biological and Environmental Sciences
Category
graduate
UUID
73d4699cf9fc4854a21e4a45c134d64f
Source URL
https://www.qu.edu.qa/en-us/colleges/artssciences/departments/bioenv/programs/ph...
Parent URL
https://www.qu.edu.qa/en-us/students/admission/graduate/academic-programs
Crawl Time
2026-03-24T04:33:08+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

PhD in Biological and Environmental Sciences

Source: https://www.qu.edu.qa/en-us/colleges/artssciences/departments/bioenv/programs/phd-boi-env-science Parent: https://www.qu.edu.qa/en-us/students/admission/graduate/academic-programs

Page Image

Biological and Environmental Sciences/Programs/PhD in Biological and Environmental Sciences

InfoPrintShare+-

PhD in Biological and Environmental Sciences

Page Content

About the Program

The PhD program in Biological and Environmental Sciences is in line with the current vision and mission of  QU, and is essential in developing new ideas, approaches and findings in Biological and Environmental Sciences, as well as  the advancement at the national and international levels through excellence in research and education. “Qatar University is the national institution of higher education in Qatar. It provides high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare competent graduates, destined to shape the future of Qatar”.

In view of the rapid economic growth of Qatar, the future of Qatar is dependent on the local capacity building and innovation. This PhD program is a compulsory element required to carry out research & development in a country that supports innovation and building knowledge-based society. This PhD is a rigorous program, taught by world class scientists/experts in the field. The PhD provides substantial training and prepares students for careers in education, research, Industry, and governmental agencies.

It is the first PhD program in Biological and Environmental Sciences in Qatar. It is a flexible interdisciplinary program, with broad area of specialties. It is designed to address environmental and health concerns in Qatar, and the other Gulf Countries, and it supports areas of national research priorities.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission

The PhD. program in Biological and Environmental Sciences (Ph.D. BES), is an interdisciplinary program, that builds on the current MSc. in Environmental Science and the new MSc. in Biological Sciences. This program serves other biology based master’s degree holders, upon approval of the program committee. This is the first PhD in Biological and Environmental Sciences in Qatar, and the second PhD program at Qatar University. This program is in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which challenges the flagship university to create  new, innovative, interdisciplinary, and high quality PhD programs. That can accommodate small numbers of students, with different scientific backgrounds, nonetheless, supporting freedom for specializations in areas of national research priorities such as health and environmental domains.

Its mission is to provide students with the most advanced research skills enabling them to carry out research independently, communicate their findings through publishing, and foster  innovations and creativity.

Vision

Qatar University Graduate Program is being shaped to be recognized nationally, and internationally. As a result, attracting the highest caliber students for research is becoming a real objective. The PhD Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences has a social, and academic community, so that students engage in the program based on their research interests. Through this PhD program, professionals and leaders in the field will be available for regional, national and global competitiveness. This program is set to train students to become professionals and leaders in the field, thereby making distinctive and significant contributions to their societies.

Objectives

Qatar is building a knowledge-based economy as stated in Qatar National Vision 2030. The need for highly professional human resources and critically-thinking problem solvers is extremely high to solve environmental and health challenges.

The Ph.D. degree in Biological and Environmental Sciences was established, to meet the significant demands for the use of applied biological and environmental research, and knowledge to improve health care, and answer environmental challenges of importance to the communities in Qatar. This program prepares students for research in biological and environmental sciences, for academic, or technical positions at universities, Industries,  governmental, and non-governmental agencies.

The main objectives of the program are:

The development of capacities in the Biological and Environmental sciences will lead to:

Opportunities

There is a strong demand for this degree due to the increasing need for researchers, in areas of national research priorities, in health, biological and environmental professions. Different governmental, non-governmental and private  sectors are establishing research centers in fields of biotechnology, biomedical and environmental science.

Accreditation

There is no specific accreditation body in the USA for Biological and Environmental Sciences; however, most of the American Universities accredit their programs through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). One of which is The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Alternatively, the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), in the UK provide a fast track professional accreditation scheme for Honors and graduate programs offered by CHES members of Higher Education Institutions. The program coordinator and the steering committee have to decide later on the specific accreditation body. The department is currently a member of CHES. The Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences - Institution of Environmental Sciences. CHES-IES accredited both the  Master and the bachelor programs in Environmental science at the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences.

Information on CHES membership can be found at the CHES web site (www.ches.org) or by contacting the IES. CHES (Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences) is the collective voice of environmental sciences and related programs in higher and further education in the UK. “IES is an active networking organization and serves to enhance quality of outcomes in environmental education. It aims to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between relevant bodies within the UK and worldwide”.

Admissions Requirements

Admission Criteria

In addition to the general requirements set forth by QU’s  Office of Graduate Studies, applicants are required to:

Have a  Master’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3 out of 4 (or equivalent), from a university or college accredited by an international accrediting association, or by the Ministry of Higher Education (or equivalent in that country).

Students are expected to be proficient in English. Applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency as part of the admission process by satisfying either of the following:

(*) Earned a previous degree from an institution of higher education in a program where English was the language of instruction.

OR

(**) Achieved a minimum score of 520 on the paper-based TOEFL or equivalent test taken within 2 years of the start of the intended semester of admission.

A satisfactory performance in the personal interview with the Admission committee.

GRE-General test score within less than 2 years prior to the start date intended, is not required but will strengthen the application.

During the admission process, students will be accepted in the desired concentration according to their former Master’s and Bachelor majors.

Requirements

All applicants to the PhD degree in Biological and Environmental Sciences program are required to submit the following documents to the Admissions Department:

  1. Admissions Application and Signature Page
  2. Final, official and certified university transcripts
  3. Official TOEFL score report or equivalent score report
  4. Official GRE score report (not required but will strengthen the application)
  5. Three confidential recommendation letters from Graduate professors or employers (Recommendation Letters (using CAS template) should be sent by the professor to the following address: headdepbiological@qu.edu.qa ).
  6. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
  7. Health Certificate
  8. Photocopy of the applicant’s Qatar ID card
  9. (Non-Qatari applicants must provide a copy of their passport)
  10. Two recent passport sized photographs
  11. Application Fees: QR 350

More info

Admission to the PhD degree in Biological and Environmental Sciences program takes place in the Fall semester only.

For further details and clarification in this regards, kindly contact:

Dr. Nabil ZouariGraduate Program Coodinator

Office: +974 44034559 Email: nabil.zouari@qu.edu.qa

Brochure & Curriculum

Brochure & Curriculum

The PhD Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences is composed of 4 concentrations in:

The emphasis is on the development of core required courses and electives particularly relevant to the needs in Qatar and the curriculum is developed in the context of the Benchmark Statement of Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the United Kingdom as well as incorporating the Quality standards of the commission on colleges of the southern association colleges and schools(SACS).

The anticipated completion time of the course of study for the PhD, assuming no academic probation(s), is 8 full semesters. There is no provision made for part-time graduate students.

Core Requirements (12 credit hours)

Supporting Electives (18 credit hours: 6 courses are requested)

\ \