Cellular and Molecular Medicine Doctorate Program

General Information

The Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine Doctoral Program at Lokman Hekim University was established by decision of the Higher Education Executive Board at its meetings on March 24, 2021, and March 31, 2021. The program duration is 4 years, and the language of instruction is Turkish. An average of 5 students are admitted to the program each year.

The cells and functional molecules that make up the human body are the most fundamental elements of health and disease. At the cellular level, interactions at the molecular level are the main players in the homeostatic mechanism. The molecular and cellular information provided at the basic science level in medical education is information that is frequently referred to in further education and professional life. Knowledge at the molecular level is rapidly increasing and paving the way for significant developments in the field of medicine. The underlying causes of pathologies developing in humans are particularly multifactorial and require interdisciplinary approaches to be understood. Parallel to this, interdisciplinary approaches are also very important in the treatment of diseases. For these reasons, understanding diseases at the molecular level enhances the diagnosis and treatment processes, and the advanced study of the functioning and interactions of cells and molecules contributes significantly to the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

Enriching the doctoral program with molecular and cellular research and publishing advanced doctoral thesis research in prestigious journals in our country and internationally will contribute to medical science and will also be beneficial for public health. Postgraduate education is key for this. The Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine doctoral program will contribute to the training of qualified scientists with a research mindset and healthcare professionals with superior capabilities.

Degree Awarded

Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Level of Education

Doctoral Level

Admission Requirements

Student applications for the proposed program, entrance exams (written/interview), calculation of the overall achievement score, and placement of students are carried out in accordance with the Lokman Hekim University Institute of Health Sciences Graduate Education and Training Guidelines. In addition, before each application period, the specific requirements for applicants, the entrance exam location and date are determined based on the recommendation of the relevant department and the decision of the institute's administrative board, and announced prior to the application.

Those who have obtained a degree of expertise in the field of Medicine-Medicine, graduates of Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy faculties, and those with a master's or specialist degree in Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry, Biology, Medical Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Molecular and Clinical Genetics, and Biomedical Engineering, are accepted if they meet the necessary requirements and can also benefit from the horizontal transfer quota.

Students who have graduated from undergraduate/master's programs in biology, chemistry, and physics, in addition to basic medical fields at universities, as well as those whose diplomas are deemed suitable by the Institute Council upon the recommendation of the Department Academic Council, may apply to the recommended programs. Turkish or foreign students who have completed a master's program in a foreign country must have a certificate of equivalence or recognition from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Furthermore, applicants to the program are expected to have an ALES (SAY / EA) score determined by the Institute Council, which must be at least 55. Furthermore, applicants must have obtained a score equivalent to the score determined by the Senate upon the recommendation of the Department Academic Board and the decision of the Institute Board, with a minimum score of 55, from central foreign language exams accepted by YÖK or international foreign language exams deemed equivalent by ÖSYM. Students who meet the application requirements are admitted to the scientific evaluation exam (written and/or interview). The overall success score is calculated based on the ALES score, foreign language score, master's degree GPA, and the results of the scientific evaluation exam. Students gain the right to final registration within the specified quota according to the overall success score ranking.

Requirements and Rules for the Degree Awarded

In order for the student to earn a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine, they must complete a minimum of 240 ECTS credits, including at least seven courses, seminars, a qualifying exam, a thesis proposal, and thesis work, with a total of twenty-one credits and no less than 60 ECTS credits per academic semester. To enable students to complete these credits, the program includes compulsory and elective courses. Students complete the total credits in eight (4 years) semesters. The duration of doctoral education can be extended to a maximum of 12 semesters. Doctoral program courses must be successfully completed within a maximum of two years with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Students who fail to successfully complete their courses within this period or who have a GPA of 3.00 or higher take the doctoral qualifying exam. To be eligible for the Doctoral Qualification Exam, students must have obtained a minimum score of 60 out of 100 on a central foreign language exam accepted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) or an equivalent score on an international foreign language exam accepted as equivalent by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). For students who pass the Doctoral Qualification Exam, a thesis monitoring committee (TİK) is appointed within one month at the latest, upon the recommendation of the relevant Institute Department Chair and the approval of the relevant administrative board, to approve the student's doctoral thesis proposal and monitor the doctoral thesis work process in the following periods. Students who successfully complete the doctoral qualification exam defend their thesis proposal, which covers the purpose, method, and future work plan of their thesis work to be completed within six months at the latest, orally before the TİK. Students who are successful in their thesis proposal begin research work related to their thesis topic under the supervision of their thesis advisor. At least three (TİK) reports must be submitted for the student's thesis to be completed. The thesis defense exam consists of the presentation of the thesis work and a subsequent question-and-answer session. Students whose theses are accepted are evaluated as successful.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is regulated in accordance with the Lokman Hekim University Graduate Education and Training Regulations.

Program Objective

Enriching master's and doctoral programs with molecular and cellular research and publishing advanced doctoral thesis research in prestigious journals in Turkey and internationally will contribute to medical science and be beneficial for public health. For this, post-graduation education is key. The Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine doctoral program will contribute to the training of qualified scientists with a research mindset and healthcare professionals with superior capabilities. In this context, the Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine Department, organized by faculty members specializing in different scientific fields within the scope of our University's Institute of Health Sciences, will continue this program, focusing on research goals as well as theoretical and practical training. Within this scope, the aim of this doctoral program, which is intended to be continued, is to train scientists in basic and applied medicine who have gained a holistic perspective in the field of medicine and can produce solutions that meet today's needs.

Key Outcomes of the Program

1. Develops the ability to conduct scientific research in the fields of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, thereby expanding and deepening knowledge, and developing the skills to evaluate, interpret, and apply that knowledge.
2. Develops the ability to integrate knowledge from different disciplines relevant to the application areas of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
3. Develops the ability to identify problems in the fields of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, develop methods to solve them, and apply the knowledge gained.
4. Develops the ability to develop new and original ideas and methods.
5. Develops the ability to access, critically interpret, and use existing scientific knowledge in the fields of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
6. Develops the ability to know new and emerging applications in the fields of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, use them when necessary, and teach them.
7. Develops the ability to conduct independent research to produce evidence-based information for the application areas of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
8. Develops the ability to systematically and clearly convey the scientific knowledge presented in national and international environments, either in writing or verbally.
9. Develops the ability to lead within the healthcare team, develop solution approaches in complex situations, and take responsibility.
10. Develops the ability to act in accordance with ethical and professional principles at all stages of education, practice, and research activities.

Employment Opportunities

The most important employment area for individuals graduating from the Interdisciplinary Cellular and Molecular Medicine Doctorate Program is to take positions in academic staff required by our country in departments offering education in cellular and/or molecular medicine or health sciences at universities. In addition, medical doctors and basic medical scientists with a doctoral degree can work as researchers in the relevant departments of public or private universities.

Transition to Higher Degree Programs

Candidates who have obtained a doctoral degree can apply for associate professorship in the relevant fields if they have completed the necessary academic work.

Assessment and Evaluation

The Lokman Hekim University Graduate Education and Training Regulations are used as the basis for grading all educational work and exams of the student.

Graduation Requirements

In order for a student to graduate from the Doctorate Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, they must have passed all courses in the program, earned a minimum of 240 ECTS credits, and have a minimum GPA of 3.00 out of 4.00. In addition, the student must pass the doctoral qualifying exam. To be eligible for the Doctoral Qualifying Exam, the student must have obtained a minimum score of 60 out of 100 on a central foreign language exam accepted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) or an equivalent score on an international foreign language exam accepted as equivalent by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Students who pass the qualification exam must prepare their doctoral thesis in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing under the guidance of their advisor and successfully present it orally before the jury members. After the thesis exam is completed, the jury decides by a simple majority to accept, reject, or request revisions to the thesis. The student's graduation date is the date on which they defend their thesis before the jury and are successful.

Work Format

The work format is full-time. If necessary, classes and exams may also be held after working hours on weekdays and/or on Saturdays and Sundays.

Program Coordinator and Contact

Prof. Dr. Belma TURAN

Head of the Interdisciplinary Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

E-mail: belma.turan@lokmanhekim.edu.tr

Tel: 444 8 548

Extension: 6133