Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Biology is fundamentally aligned with the principles of sustainable development, aiming to produce researchers and leaders who can create new knowledge for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The program's core mission to generate internationally recognized research makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through its deep focus on ecology, taxonomy, and conservation. By investigating biological resources and processes, the curriculum supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through advancements in plant science and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) via research in medical microbiology and parasitology. The program's emphasis on environmental science and pollution monitoring directly addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). As a doctoral-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and fosters the innovation and partnerships essential for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Alignment Summary: This program supports the goal of achieving zero hunger by advancing knowledge in plant science. Research in areas such as plant physiology, molecular biology, and nutrient science contributes to developing more resilient and productive crops, which is essential for ensuring sustainable food production systems and food security.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 135 | Plant Nutrition | Directly contributes to sustainable food production (Target 2.4) by studying the essential nutrients for plant growth, which is critical for improving crop yields and agricultural sustainability. |
SC 157 137 | Plant Molecular Biology | Supports the goal of ending hunger by providing the molecular tools to develop genetically diverse and climate-resilient crops (Target 2.5). |
Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to good health and well-being by advancing the understanding of diseases and their environmental determinants. Courses in medical microbiology, parasitology, and toxicology equip graduates to conduct research that is vital for combating communicable diseases and reducing illnesses from environmental pollution.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 512 | Medical Microbiology | Directly supports efforts to end epidemics of communicable diseases (Target 3.3) by studying the microorganisms that cause disease in humans. |
SC 157 513 | Medical Parasitology | Contributes to combating communicable diseases (Target 3.3) by focusing on the parasites that are major causes of illness in tropical regions. |
Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum is the epitome of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert researchers and academics by providing advanced training in research methodologies and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, thereby contributing to the creation of new knowledge for sustainable development.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 159 001 | Research Methods and Scientific Writing | Provides the core research skills that define high-quality doctoral education, equipping students for high-level employment and lifelong learning in scientific research (Target 4.3 and 4.4). |
SC 159 99X | Dissertation | Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4). |
Alignment Summary: The program is central to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water by training experts in aquatic biology and toxicology. The curriculum equips graduates to assess water quality, understand the impacts of pollution on aquatic ecosystems, and contribute to the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 300 | Aquatic Toxicology | Directly supports Target 6.3 by studying the effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms, which is crucial for improving water quality. |
SC 157 309 | Freshwater Biology | Aligns with protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems (Target 6.6) by providing a deep understanding of freshwater biodiversity and ecological processes. |
SC 157 311 | Freshwater Zooplankton | Contributes to monitoring water quality (Target 6.3) as zooplankton are key biological indicators of the health of aquatic ecosystems. |
Alignment Summary: The curriculum drives innovation in biotechnology and environmental industries. By providing advanced training in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biological resource management, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of sectors focused on sustainable development.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 137 | Plant Molecular Biology | Enhances scientific research and innovation (Target 9.5) by applying cutting-edge molecular techniques with applications in agriculture and biotechnology. |
SC 157 516 | Bioinformatics | Supports scientific research (Target 9.5) by providing essential computational skills for analyzing large biological datasets, which is critical for innovation in the life sciences. |
Alignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable communities by training experts who can assess and manage environmental impacts. Knowledge of pollution and biodiversity is crucial for urban planning that safeguards natural heritage and reduces the environmental footprint of cities.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 210 | Environmental Pollution | Directly addresses Target 11.6 by focusing on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities through the study and management of pollution. |
Alignment Summary: The curriculum promotes responsible consumption and production by fostering an understanding of the environmental impacts of human activities. Courses on pollution and toxicology equip graduates to contribute to the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 210 | Environmental Pollution | Contributes to the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes (Target 12.4) by providing a deep understanding of the sources and effects of pollution. |
Alignment Summary: The program contributes to climate action by training experts who can study the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems. This research is crucial for developing adaptation strategies and for improving education and awareness on climate-related issues.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 210 | Environmental Pollution | Supports Target 13.3 by improving education and awareness-raising on climate change mitigation and impact reduction, as pollution is a key driver of climate change. |
Alignment Summary: The program is fundamentally aligned with the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems. Through specialized courses in aquatic toxicology, freshwater biology, and taxonomy, it provides the scientific foundation for protecting marine and freshwater biodiversity, managing aquatic resources sustainably, and mitigating the impacts of pollution.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 300 | Aquatic Toxicology | Directly contributes to preventing and reducing marine pollution (Target 14.1) by studying the effects of pollutants on aquatic life. |
SC 157 309 | Freshwater Biology | Supports the conservation and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems, which are intrinsically linked to marine ecosystems (Target 14.2). |
SC 157 310 | Aquatic Insects | Contributes to the conservation of aquatic biodiversity (Target 14.2) by focusing on a key component of freshwater food webs. |
SC 157 311 | Freshwater Zooplankton | Provides skills for monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems (Target 14.1), as zooplankton are important bioindicators. |
Alignment Summary: The program is at the core of efforts to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The curriculum provides a deep understanding of biodiversity, ecology, and conservation, equipping graduates with the skills to combat desertification, halt biodiversity loss, and manage ecosystems sustainably.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 157 122 | Taxonomy of Vascular Plants | Directly contributes to halting biodiversity loss (Target 15.5) by providing the essential skills for identifying and classifying plant species. |
SC 157 200 | Ecology | Provides the foundational knowledge for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.1). |
SC 157 313 | Zoogeography | Supports efforts to protect biodiversity (Target 15.5) by studying the distribution of animal species and the factors that influence it. |
SC 157 314 | Biology of Amphibians | Contributes to halting biodiversity loss by focusing on a group of animals that are highly sensitive to environmental change (Target 15.5). |
SC 157 320 | Biology of Reptiles | Contributes to halting biodiversity loss by focusing on a diverse group of terrestrial vertebrates (Target 15.5). |
SC 157 508 | Population Genetics and Human Evolution | Supports the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources (Target 15.6). |
Alignment Summary: The program's research-intensive nature fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminars and the dissertation process, students engage with the global scientific community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for achieving global environmental and health goals.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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SC 159 001 | Research Methods and Scientific Writing | Enhances capacity-building for sustainable development (Target 17.9) by providing students with the skills to collect, analyze, and report data, which is essential for monitoring SDG progress. |
SC 159 002 | Seminar in Biology 1 | Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing. |
SC 159 99X | Dissertation | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to solve critical sustainability challenges. |