PhD Biology

Overview

The Department of Biology offers a graduate programme leading to PhD in Molecular Biology. The goal of this programme is to produce independent researchers who can take up challenges of the 21st century biology. The state-of-the-art research labs, experienced faculty and a world class collaborative environment at LUMS contribute to our competitive advantage. Students take advanced classes and conduct independent research in partial fulfilment for their PhD degree. All PhD students receive generous financial support in the form of a tuition waiver and monthly stipend.

Research Opportunities

Research is an essential component of our graduate programme. Students will be exposed to a wide range of research programmes in Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics and Epigenetics, Biochemistry, and Biophysics, Structural and Computational Biology and will choose a dissertation project in the area of their interest. Research projects in the department are addressing fundamental questions in biology like how complex organisms develop from a single cell and how cell fates are determined, how gene expression is regulated in extremophiles, how cell cycle is controlled in stem cells and how organisms evolve over thousands of years. Mammalian, Drosophila

Drosophila, plants and bacterial systems are used to answer these questions through experimentation in the labs and through computational biological approaches in silico. Computational biologists are using mathematical and statistical tools to mine large sets of data and find solutions to complex biological questions as well as to model future drugs.

The department is equipped with state-of-the-art labs and equipment like fluorescent microscopes, fluorescence activated cell sorters (FACS), real time PCR machines, ultrasonic bioruptor, high speed centrifuges, tissue culture facility and cold rooms. Computer labs are equipped with modern computers for bio computing.

The medium of instruction at LUMS is English for all degree programmes offered. Assessments are accepted in English only.

Note:

Full Tuition Fee Waiver and a Monthly Stipend* awarded to all admitted students (for up to four years).
*Subject to adequate academic performance

Important Dates

PhD (Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Mathematics / Physics / Biology / Chemistry)

Activity	Date
Online Application Deadline (PST)	01 Apr 2020	05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents	02 Apr 2020
Online Application Deadline (PST) -- LUMS MS Continuing Students	01 Apr 2020	05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents - LUMS MS Continuing Students	02 Apr 2020
LGAT & SBASSE Subject Test for MS/PhD	12 Apr 2020
Deadline to take GRE	12 Apr 2020
Admission decisions	01 Jul 2020 to 31 Jul 2020

Notes:

The University reserves the right to change dates and deadlines for admissions. Please keep informed of any changes by visiting www.lums.edu.pk periodically as well as the LUMS online application site.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Fall 2020 Admissions

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Programme.

The Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) offers PhD Programme in Biology of four years’ duration.

Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:

Academic record;
Performance in the Admission Tests;
Research Statement & Completed and submitted application form and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline;
Interview Performance

Note:

This is the minimum criteria that applicants need to fulfil in order to be eligible to apply. Fulfilment of this criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS.

Academic Requirements for Fall 2020 Admissions

A minimum of 18 years of education is required for applying to the PhD Programme in Biology.

Applicants are expected to have obtained their Master's degree (MS or MPhil) from national or foreign institutions that are accredited or recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan. Applicants who have obtained their degrees from institutions that are not listed with the HEC, Pakistan, will be required to obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC.

As minimum academic performance, all applicants must have obtained a CGPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or First Division (in the annual system) in their Master's degree and at least a CGPA of 2.4 (on a scale of 4) or 60% marks in Bachelor’s degree. Applicants obtaining 2 years BSc. degree and 2 years MSc. degree must have secured at least 60% marks in both degrees. Applicants with professional degrees (including, MBBS, BDS, Pharm-D) must have Second Division or above in their professional degrees and must also meet the above-mentioned requirement for their Master's degree in order to be considered eligible.

Applicants who have their Master’s degree with a CGPA computed over any scale other than 4.0 will be required to submit a letter/revised transcript from their respective University or submit a letter from HEC affirming that the applicant meets the CGPA requirement for PhD admission. For further information, please visit: www.hec.gov.pk.

Applicants applying for the PhD Programme in Biology must have a Master's degree in any one of the following areas:

Biology
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Genetics
Other closely related disciplines

Note:

Applicants completing their last degree by June 30, 2020 are also eligible to apply for PhD Programme if they are meeting all minimum admission requirements at the time of submission of application.
Please note applicants need to provide the final official transcript by June 30, 2020 or they will not be considered for admission in PhD programme.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for LUMS Graduate Continuing Students

MS - PHD PROGRAMME

LUMS MS students graduating in 2020 or have graduated within the last 2 years from SBASSE with a minimum CGPA of ≥ 3.0 are eligible to apply for PhD Programme. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) and SBASSE Subject Tests are waived for LUMS students who plan to continue their studies within the same Department. The application deadline for this category of students is April 01, 2020. Please note that the exemption from the LGAT and LUMS Subject test will only be granted if the CGPA ≥ 3.0 requirement is met at the time of application submission.
LUMS MS students graduating in 2020 or have graduated within the last 2 years from SBASSE with a minimum CGPA of ≥ 3.0 applying across departments will be required to take the SBASSE Subject Test or GRE Subject Test (if available) in the subject they want to pursue their PhD in. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is waived off for this category of students but they must register for LUMS SBASSE Subject Test if they have not taken GRE Subject Test. The deadline to register for the LUMS SBASSE Subject Test and submit the complete application online is April 01, 2020. Please note that the exemption from the LUMS Graduate Admission Test LGAT will only be granted if the CGPA ≥ 3.0 requirement is met at the time of application submission.

Note:

LUMS SBASSE MS students with a CGPA of < 3.0 (at the time of application submission deadline) are not eligible to apply for PhD programme.
As per HEC requirements, PhD students, once admitted, may be required to take the GRE Subject Test or NTS GAT Subject Test (if GRE Subject Test not available) if they have not done so already.
Please note that shortlisted SBASSE MS students (with an incomplete degree at the time of application submission) will be required to complete their MS degree requirements with a CGPA 3.0 or above. In case this CGPA requirement is not met by June 30, 2020, the student will not be considered for PhD admission.
Please visit the following link to apply for this program: https://admissions.lums.edu.pk

Admission Test Requirement for Fall 2020 Admissions

a. Local Applicants

Applicants to the PhD Programme in Biology are required to take following two (2) admissions tests in order to be considered for Fall 2020 admission:

LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT); and
LUMS SBASSE Subject Test in Biology

Please visit the following link to apply https://admissions.lums.edu.pk.

Exemption for applicants who have taken Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Tests

Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examination GRE (General) (through the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA) during the last two (2) years (i.e. after April 01, 2018) and obtained an aggregate score of 300 in the quantitative and verbal sections may choose not to take the LGAT.
Applicants who have taken the GRE Subject Test in Biology or Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (through the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA) during the last two (2) years (i.e. after April 01, 2018) and obtained a score at the 60th percentile or above may choose not to take the SBASSE Subject Test in Biology.

b. International Applicants

Applicants residing outside Pakistan are required to take following two (2) admissions tests in order to be considered for Fall 2020 admission:

GRE - General Test; and
GRE - Subject Test in Biology or Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology

For GRE registration, please visit www.ets.org.

GRE scores must be reported to LUMS officially from the testing agency. The college code for reporting GRE (General) and GRE Subject Test scores to LUMS is 0679.

Note:

LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is comprised of Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical sections.
The LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) and the SBASSE Subject Test in Biology for Fall 2020 admission will be held ONLY ONCE on April 12, 2020.
LGAT and SBASSE Subject Test Scores will be valid only for One (1) academic year.
The LGAT and SBASSE Subject Test scores will be used for application evaluation, hence will not be disclosed to applicants.

Subject Test Guidelines:

Please visit the following link; Subject Test Guidelines

Research Statement & Supporting Documents Requirement for Fall 2020 Admissions

Research Statement

The Research Statement is a summary of your research accomplishments, current work, and future direction and potential of your work. Research statement is mandatory for all PhD applicants.

Supporting Documents

Applicants must complete and submit their online application form on or before April 01, 2020; 5:00 pm (PST). The application form can be accessed online at http://admissions.lums.edu.pk. In addition, all applicants are required to submit all supporting documents to the LUMS Admissions Office on or before April 02, 2020.

Application Processing & LUMS Test Registration fee (if applicable)

The application processing fee of Rs.1200 (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).
LGAT & LUMS SBASSE Subject Test Registration Fee of Rs. 1000 (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).
The application processing fee of $81 for International applicants (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).
The application processing and LGAT & LUMS SBASSE Subject Test Registration Fee of $89 for International applicants (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).

Payment Procedure

After the successful submission of the online application form through the LUMS Online account on or before the application submission deadline, applicants will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and LUMS Test Registration (if applicable) Fee payment voucher. For further details regarding Fee payment options Click here

Proof of Payment

A stamped copy of the payment voucher or a confirmation email of an online banking transaction constitutes proof of payment. Applicants are required to send a copy of payment proof along with all other required supporting documents as ONE package on or before the stipulated deadline.

Applicants must print and paste the “Mailing label” on the envelope before sending it to the LUMS Office of Admissions. Applications or documents received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.

Interview Performance

Interview session will comprise of your research presentation followed by Q & A session.

FAQs

What are the admission requirements for PhD Programme?

Please visit the following link for the minimum eligibility criteria; https://admission.lums.edu.pk/graduate-programmes

Do you require any test for admission to the PhD Programme?

Please visit the following link for admission test details; https://admission.lums.edu.pk/testing

How can I submit the application processing and test fee (if applicable)?

After the successful submission of the online application form you will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and LUMS Test Registration (if applicable) Fee payment voucher. Please print the fee voucher for making payments at Allied Bank Branches throughout Pakistan. The voucher can be paid:

Online, immediately by visiting https://admission.lums.edu.pk/student-payment-options-0 or
In cash by presenting the payment voucher along with the requisite amount at any Allied Bank branch throughout Pakistan.

By which date should applicants expect their Test Registration Cards to be delivered?

Test Registration Cards and instructions will be posted to the applicants' secure online application account and an email message will alert applicants that the Test Registration Card has been posted. It will be posted on applicants' online account one week before the test date.

I have submitted my online application & all required documents on time but I am unable to view my Test Registration Card?

If an applicant is unable to view his/her Test Registration Card despite completing all the requirements then he/she can write to us at helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk.

I have not yet received any confirmation email after the submission of my online application. What should I do?

You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your online application.

Is it possible to apply after the deadline?

Applications submitted after the deadlines are not accepted.

How do I inform about a change in the online application?

It is highly recommended to fill out the application form carefully. No changes can be made after the submission of online application. In sheer need an applicant can send the updated information to helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".

I have received my transcripts for Master's/MS/M. Phil but I do not have the degree. What should I do?

You should submit all your transcripts latest by the document submission deadline. Copy of your degree can be submitted later.

I have completed my 7th semester with a CGPA of less than 3. Am i eligible to apply for PhD Programme?

Applicants to the PhD Programme must have a CGPA of 3.0 or above (on a scale of 4) at the time of application submission.

Are there any specific quotas in admission?

Admission in LUMS PhD Programme is purely merit based and there are no quotas.

Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?

The recommendation letters can be from a faculty member who has had a reasonable opportunity to evaluate you academically.

Can my admission be deferred?

In truly exceptional circumstances the Graduate Programme Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.

How will you notify me regarding a decision on my application?

Final admission decision will be communicated through an official letter; however, you can also check your application status through your online account. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding your application status by telephone or e-mail.

Do you have any age limit for the admission to the PhD Programme?

No, there are no age restrictions.

May I appeal my admission decision or ask to have the decision explained?

The admission process is a well deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, all of them do not qualify because of the limited number of available seats. The decision regarding admission is final.

If your application is unsuccessful you will also receive a letter informing you of this. Due to the volume of applications the University receive, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Who is an International applicant?

A Foreign national who is not of Pakistani origin and does not have a Pakistani passport/NICOP/CNIC is eligible to apply to LUMS under its International Student Programme. Applicants holding dual nationality out of which one is Pakistani are not eligible to apply through LUMS International Student Programme.

What is the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan?

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is an independent, autonomous, and constitutionally established institution of primary funding, overseeing, regulating, and accrediting the higher education efforts in Pakistan.
HEC is responsible for formulating higher education policy and quality assurance to meet the international standards as well as providing accrediting academic degrees, development of new institutions, and uplift of existing institutions in Pakistan.