Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics was founded in 1998 as “Biology Department” and received its first undergraduate students in 1999 with National University Entrance Exam. A year later, in January 2000, department’s curriculum was revised and department's name was changed to “Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics” following the recommendations and encouragement of University Senate and since then, 493 B.Sc. students have graduated. The education language was changed from 30% English to 100% English in 2011. Double major programs with Chemistry, Physics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering and Environmental Engineering are available. The department now boasts a total of 346 undergraduates in the program and 12 faculty members, 18 research assistants and a specialist (as of 2017).
In 2001, “Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology” interdisciplinary graduate program was established together with members of Chemical Engineering Department, to provide an interdisciplinary working environment for graduate students. The graduate program which begun with the support of State Planning Organization as a part of “Advanced Technologies in Engineering”, still continues under the Graduate School of Science, Engineering and Technology. The scope of our program is diverse and accepts students from different backgrounds such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering and other Engineering departments to provide qualified work force in the areas of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology, to contribute to scientific community with world-class research and to translate this knowledge to new industrial technologies. In the last 14 years (from 2003 to 2017), 147 M.Sc. and 40 Ph.D. students received their degrees and 57 M.Sc. and 69 Ph.D. students are currently enrolled. Our academic staff also participates in interdepartmental graduate programs such as Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Program.
Molecular Biology and Genetics Program
Department's web site: Molecular Biology and Genetics
Research Areas