GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at JUST was established on 1/9/1999 to be the sixth academic Department of the Faculty of Science and Arts. The decision to establish the Department at Jordan University of Science and Technology is considered as one of the most important steps the university is taking to keep up with the overall growth and rapid advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering, and to prepare the students for rewarding careers in the fields of biotechnology, whether in industry, academia or government.
The program at the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering brings a unique combination of skills and wide range of scientific disciplines together and maximizes the benefit of both teaching and research. The specialization of the Departmental staff spans a broad range of basic sciences, from Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular biology, Plant physiology, and Immunology. The Department consists of 12 faculty members and 516 undergraduate students
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
Career prospects for graduates of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering program are
promising. They will have the opportunities to be employed in different positions including:
Research assistants for conducting experiments both in the laboratory and in the field.
Lab specialists in biotechnology, food, pharmaceutical, medical and agrotechnology
industries.
Forensic and medical laboratory specialists for conducting DNA analysis related to criminal investigations and diagnosis of genetic diseases respectively.
Environmental consultants to assess and monitor environmental contamination and help in developing and implementing environmental bioremediation programs.
Scientific journalists and media presenters by writing articles and help in preparing
broadcast programs to communicate the importance of scientific development to the public.
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Sales representative / marketing professional to sell and provide advice about special scientific products to clients in research, help to solve specific problems related to equipment applications and experimental procedures. |
THE FUTURE:
The long-range goals for the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering are to achieve recognition as a center of excellence both in its teaching and research programs at national and international levels. A substantial emphasis will be placed on research but without sacrificing the current quality of undergraduate education.
The future research thrust of the department will be in the areas of cellular and molecular biology of microbes, plants, but without neglecting our long-standing strengths in some other areas.
In order to reach these goals, we will depend on increased productivity and competitiveness by established faculty members.
Furthermore, we also need development of strong research programs which will be easier when we fill future positions with people who have high potential for research success as well as teaching ability.
Through new technologies of Biotechnology, the new curriculum in Molecular biology, improved (or streamlined) curricula in Biology, the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering will be in an excellent position to educate students for the jobs of the future, solve basic and applied research problems, and to extend new information to the citizens of Jordan.