PhD in Computational Biology - MBZUAI PhD in Computational Biology
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PhD in

Computational Biology

Overview

The goal of MBZUAI Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Biology is to prepare students to become leading scientists in academia and industry, educating them to be highly competent in their chosen area of research while also providing them with a broad knowledge foundation in bioinformatics and computational biology. Upon graduation students will have independently planned and conducted computational research in their chosen area, and will be able to conduct original interdisciplinary research across the life sciences. The program aims to be a collaborative hub for researchers and practitioners to drive global research and ethical and responsible innovation in the UAE and on a global scale.

  • icon Full time Mode
  • icon 60 Credits
  • icon On Campus Location

Deadlines for applications for Fall 2026:
15 January 2026 (5:00pm UAE time)

Welcome to the Department of Computational Biology at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).... Join us at MBZUAI in advancing the critical synergy between bioinformatics, biology and computational sciences.

Eran Segal

Department Chair and Professor of Computational Biology

Read Bio

Meet the Faculty

Aziz Khan

Aziz Khan

Assistant Professor of Computational Biology

Eduardo Beltrame

Eduardo Beltrame

Assistant Professor of Computational Biology

Imran Razzak

Imran Razzak

Associate Professor of Computational Biology

Natasa Przulj

Natasa Przulj

Professor of Computational Biology

Yu Li

Yu Li

Affiliated Assistant Professor of Computational Biology

  • PLO 01: Design scientific experiments, especially those related to biological systems, using the scientific method, while functioning as a team leader managing research projects of varying complexity.
  • PLO 02: Critically evaluate and understand scientific literature across computational biology, life sciences, and engineering.
  • PLO 03: Elaborate complete research manuscripts that demonstrate expert self-evaluation and advanced skills in communicating highly complex ideas.
  • PLO 04: Develop, analyze, improve and apply computational tools and technologies including Artificial Intelligence to solving problems of varying complexity.
  • PLO 05: Utilize methods and tools to integrate, analyze and interpret biological data from various sources, with respect to ethical norms and personal data privacy.

The minimum degree requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Biology program is 60 Credits, distributed as follows:

Number of Courses Credit Hours
Core 4 16
Electives 2 8
Internship At least one internship of up to six weeks duration must be satisfactorily completed as a graduation requirement 2
Introduction to Research Methods 1 2
Research Thesis 1 32

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Biology program is primarily a research-based degree. The purpose of coursework is to equip students with the right skill set, so they can successfully accomplish their research project (thesis). Students are required to take CB8103, CB8104, CB8105 and CB8106as mandatory courses.

Code Course Title Credit Hours
CB8103 Introduction to Single Cell Biology and Bioinformatics

this course provides a broad overview of bioinformatics for single cell omics technologies, a new and fast-growing family of biological assays that enables measuring the molecular contents of individual cells with very high resolution and is key to advancing precision medicine. The course starts with an accessible introduction to basic molecular biology: the cell structure, the central dogma of molecular biology, the flow of biological information in the cell, the different types of molecules in the cell, and how we can measure them. This course then introduces students to the diverse landscape of biological data, including its types and characteristics and explores the foundational principles of single-cell omics bioinformatics, encompassing key methodologies, tools, and computational workflows, with an emphasis on the development of foundation models for single cell omics data

4
CB8104 Introduction to molecular biology for machine learning

This interdisciplinary course is designed for students and professionals with a background in machine learning who seek to understand the fundamentals of molecular biology. The course explores key biological concepts and their applications to machine learning, particularly in the fields of bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology. By bridging the gap between molecular biology and machine learning, students will gain the knowledge to apply machine learning techniques to biological data and solve complex problems in medicine, genetics, and drug discovery.

4
CB8105 Analyzing Multi-Omics Network Data in Biology and Medicine

Computational biology has become an important discipline in the intersection of computing, mathematics, biology and medicine. Biological data sets produced by modern biotechnologies are large and hence they can only be understood by using mathematical modeling and computational techniques. Starting from analysis of genetic sequences, the field has progressed towards analysis and modeling of entire biological systems. A way of abstracting the vast amount of biomedical information is by modeling and analyzing these data by using networks (or graphs). Such approaches have been used to model phenomena in other research domains, apart from computational and systems biology and medicine.

4
CB8106 Computational Genomics and Epigenomics

This interdisciplinary graduate course introduces students to the core concepts, tools, and emerging methods in computational genomics and epigenomics. It is designed for students from biology, computer science, machine learning, and related fields who are interested in applying their skills to cutting-edge questions in biology and medicine. Students will explore how genomic and epigenomic data, such as DNA, RNA, chromatin accessibility, and methylation, are generated and analyzed using statistical and machine learning techniques. The course covers foundational topics such as genome organization, gene regulation, and high-throughput sequencing technologies. It extends to advanced applications including multi-omic data integration, deep learning for genomics, and cancer omics.

4

Students will select a minimum of two elective courses, with a total of eight (or more) credit hours. One must be selected from a list based on interest, proposed research thesis, and career aspirations, in consultation with their supervisory panel. The elective courses available for the Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Biology are listed in the tables below:

Code Course Title Credit Hours
ML801 Foundations and Advanced Topics in Machine Learning

this course provides a broad overview of bioinformatics for single cell omics technologies, a new and fast-growing family of biological assays that enables measuring the molecular contents of individual cells with very high resolution and is key to advancing precision medicine. The course starts with an accessible introduction to basic molecular biology: the cell structure, the central dogma of molecular biology, the flow of biological information in the cell, the different types of molecules in the cell, and how we can measure them. This course then introduces students to the diverse landscape of biological data, including its types and characteristics and explores the foundational principles of single-cell omics bioinformatics, encompassing key methodologies, tools, and computational workflows, with an emphasis on the development of foundation models for single cell omics data

ML802 Advanced Machine Learning

This interdisciplinary course is designed for students and professionals with a background in machine learning who seek to understand the fundamentals of molecular biology. The course explores key biological concepts and their applications to machine learning, particularly in the fields of bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology. By bridging the gap between molecular biology and machine learning, students will gain the knowledge to apply machine learning techniques to biological data and solve complex problems in medicine, genetics, and drug discovery.

ML803 Advanced Probabilistic and Statistical Inference

Computational biology has become an important discipline in the intersection of computing, mathematics, biology and medicine. Biological data sets produced by modern biotechnologies are large and hence they can only be understood by using mathematical modeling and computational techniques. Starting from analysis of genetic sequences, the field has progressed towards analysis and modeling of entire biological systems. A way of abstracting the vast amount of biomedical information is by modeling and analyzing these data by using networks (or graphs). Such approaches have been used to model phenomena in other research domains, apart from computational and systems biology and medicine.

ML804 Advanced Topics in Continuous Optimization

This interdisciplinary graduate course introduces students to the core concepts, tools, and emerging methods in computational genomics and epigenomics. It is designed for students from biology, computer science, machine learning, and related fields who are interested in applying their skills to cutting-edge questions in biology and medicine. Students will explore how genomic and epigenomic data, such as DNA, RNA, chromatin accessibility, and methylation, are generated and analyzed using statistical and machine learning techniques. The course covers foundational topics such as genome organization, gene regulation, and high-throughput sequencing technologies. It extends to advanced applications including multi-omic data integration, deep learning for genomics, and cancer omics.

ML806 Advanced Topics in Reinforcement Learning
ML807 Federated Learning
ML808 Advanced Topics in Causality and Machine Learning
ML812 Advanced Topics in Algorithms for Big Data
NLP801 Deep Learning for Language Processing
NLP802 Current Topics in Natural Language Processing
NLP803 Advanced Speech Processing
NLP804 Deep Learning for Natural Language Generation

Master’s thesis research exposes students to an unsolved research problem, where they are required to propose new solutions and contribute towards the body of knowledge. Students pursue an independent research study, under the guidance of a supervisory panel, for a period of one year.

Code Course Title Credit Hours
CB8199 PhD Research Thesis

This course provides the students a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence. It builds upon fundamental concepts in machine learning. Students will learn about supervised and unsupervised learning, various learning algorithms, and the basics of the neural network, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.

32

The MBZUAl internship with industry is intended to provide the student with hands-on experience, blending practical experiences with academic learning.

Code Course Title Credit Hours
INT8199 Internship

Master’s thesis research exposes students to an unsolved research problem, for which they are required to propose new solutions and contribute towards the body of knowledge. Students pursue an independent research study, under the guidance of a supervisory panel, for a period of 1 year. Master’s thesis research helps train graduates to pursue more advanced research in their PhD degree. Further, it enables graduates to pursue an industrial project involving a research component independently.

2

Bachelor of Science or equivalent from an accredited university or a university recognized by the UAE MoHESR. Students should have a minimum CGPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent and provide their complete degree certificates and transcripts (in English) when submitting their application. A degree attestation (for degrees from the UAE) or an equivalency certificate (for degrees acquired outside the UAE) should also be furnished within their first semester at the university. Please visit the UAE MOE website for more details on the attestation and equalization procedures.

Each applicant must show proof of English language ability by providing valid certificate copies of either of the following:

  • TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 90
  • IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 6.5
  • EmSAT English with a minimum score of 1550
  • TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic certificates are valid for two (2) years from the exam date, while EmSAT results are valid for eighteen (18) months.

Waiver requests are made for eligible applicants who are citizens (by passport or nationality) of the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand and have completed their studies from K-12 until they earned a bachelor’s degree.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General score is a plus and would be considered in evaluating the applicants. (optional).

In an 800-word essay, please explain why you would like to pursue a graduate degree at MBZUAI and include the following information

  • Motivation for applying to the university
  • Personal and academic background and how it makes you suitable for the program you are applying for
  • Experience in completing a diverse range of projects related to artificial intelligence
  • Stand-out achievements, e.g. awards, distinction, etc
  • Goals as a prospective student
  • Preferred career path and plans after graduation
  • Any other details that will support the application

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an entry exam that will include questions related to the following topics

  • Admission Interview

Prior coursework in natural sciences is considered an advantage.

Year 1

Semester 1

CB8103 Introduction to Single Cell Biology and Bioinformatics (4 CR)
CB8104 Introduction to molecular biology for machine learning (4 CR)
One elective from the list (4 CR)

Semester 2

CB8105 Analyzing Multi-Omics Network Data in Biology and Medicine (4 CR)
CB8106 Computational Genomics and Epigenomics (4 CR)
One elective from the list (4 CR)

Summer

INT8199 PhD Internship (2 CR)

Year 2

Semester 1

RES899 Advanced Research Methods (2 CR)
CB8199 Ph.D. Research Thesis

Semester 2

CB8199 Ph.D. Research Thesis

Year 3

Semester 1

CB8199 Ph.D. Research Thesis

Semester 2

CB8199 Ph.D. Research Thesis

Year 4

Semester 1

CB8199 Ph.D. Research Thesis

Semester 2

CB8199 Ph.D. Research Thesis

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