​Biological and Biomedical Sciences

The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) in the Medical College came about from the merger of four independent disciplines - Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology and Pharmacology - in 2001, with the aim to: 

• develop an integrated and challenging undergraduate medical curriculum
• design optimal methods for instructing students
• enhance collaboration between basic sciences and clinical departments
• effectively utilize institutional resources ​

The Department is uniquely positioned through its affiliation with the University hospital. With expertise in basic sciences to tackle pressing health problems in a translational manner the faculty equipped to train and teach across programmatic levels. It has succeeded in the delivery of a well-designed curriculum and cutting-edge research aligned with the University’s thematic areas. 

Going forward, the department is committed to enhance scholarship and research responsive to the needs of the country and enhance the success of its students through transformative learning experiences. 

With investment in infrastructure and standardized processes and through energized graduate programmes, including the new MPhil in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, BBS is positioned to become a thriving habitat for quality research and training.​

​Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Basic Sciences have always served as the backbone of any undergraduate or graduate programme in medical sciences.  Since the inception of the Aga Khan University (AKU) Medical College in 1983, the disciplines of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology and Pharmacology have been imparting high-quality basic education to its medical students in an effort to train them as competent physicians and researchers for tomorrow. In April 2001, the merger of these four independent disciplines resulted in the establishment of the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS).  The main objectives of the merger were to: develop an integrated and challenging undergraduate medical curriculum, design optimal methods for instructing students enhance collaboration between basic sciences and clinical departments and effectively utilize precious institutional resources.

Ever since its establishment, BBS has relentlessly pursued excellence in both teaching and research through delivery of well-designed curriculum and cutting-edge research in the University approved thematic areas. The Department strongly focuses on multidisciplinary research and has successfully established collaborative research projects with the clinical departments at AKU.

Vision 

"To position AKU as a leading international center of biomedical sciences, undertaking quality teaching, research and training​"

Mis​​sion

• Develop students' ability to use basic principles in biology to understand and solve problems related to health and disease in Pakistan.

• Promote and establish a research milieu, which is conducive to learning and creating new knowledge.

• Strengthen the PhD Programme in Health Sciences by offering graduate courses and mentorship to doctoral students.

​Message from the ​Chair

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