PhD in Computational Biology
About This Programme
A University-funded (Year 1, pending a faculty advisor match) PhD in Computational Biology: biomedical AI, genomics and multi-omics research with a 32-credit thesis.
Course Highlights
- Ph.D. students are centrally funded by MBZUAI in Year 1 while matching with a faculty advisor, then funded by that advisor from Year 2, subject to a confirmed match and satisfactory progress.
- Research in biomedical AI, single-cell genomics, multi-omics and precision medicine.
- Links to the Emirati Genome Project.
- Qualifying and Candidacy exams then a 32-credit thesis.
What You'll Study
A 3–4 year full-time doctoral programme on the Masdar City campus combining advanced computational-biology coursework, electives, research methods and an internship, a Qualifying Exam (Year 1) and Candidacy Exam (Year 2), then an original 32-credit research thesis. Ph.D. students are centrally funded by MBZUAI in Year 1 while matching with a faculty advisor, then move to that advisor's funding from Year 2, subject to a confirmed match and satisfactory progress.
Core courses
Core: 4 courses, 16 credit hours, taken by every student.
- Introduction to Single Cell Biology and Bioinformatics (CBIO7101)4 credits
- Introduction to Molecular Biology for Machine Learning (CBIO7102)4 credits
- Analyzing Multi-omics Network Data in Biology and Medicine (CBIO7103)4 credits
- Computational Genomics and Epigenomics (CBIO7104)4 credits
Research methods, internship and thesis
- Graduate Research Methods (RES799)2 credits
- Internship (INT799)2 credits
- Computational Biology Ph.D. Research Dissertation (CBIO899)32 credits
Elective courses
Students select two elective courses totalling 8 credit hours.
Published elective list
- Advanced Topics in Continuous Optimization (ML804)4 credits
- Advanced Topics in Reinforcement Learning (ML806)4 credits
- Federated Learning (ML807)4 credits
- Causality and Machine Learning (ML808)4 credits
- Foundations of Machine Learning (ML8101)4 credits
- Advanced Machine Learning (ML8102)4 credits
- Algorithms for Big Data (ML8501)2 credits
- Predictive Statistical Inference and Uncertainty Quantification (ML8507)2 credits
- Collaborative Learning (ML8509)4 credits
- Current Topics in Natural Language Processing (NLP808)4 credits
- Advanced Speech Processing (NLP809)4 credits
- Generative AI-powered Educational Applications (NLP8506)4 credits
- Agent Systems Powered by Large Language Models (NLP8507)4 credits
Entry Requirements
Three references and an independent research statement. Screening exam and technical interview.
Careers
Graduates pursue computational-biology and biomedical-AI research across universities, research institutes and biotech.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (status Active on the CAA register).
Programme Details
Award
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computational Biology
Start Date
Annual Fall intake (August)
Typical Offer
Bachelor's CGPA 3.5 or master's 3.0 (STEM); IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Doctorate
Subject Area
Computational Biology
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person