Graduate School | Department of Biochemistry | PhD in Biochemistry

Last Updated: 21/09/2026

This program is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge of biochemistry and related fields and deepen their knowledge, develop their technical skills in laboratory practice, and gain critical thinking and solution skills. Students are obliged to take compulsory and elective courses and submit their theses depending on the research they have done after having passed the qualification examination. Students are supposed to defend orally defend their work in front of the five-person jury after they have submitted their thesis to the institute. There are 2 professors, 3 associate professors and 1 research assistant in the department of biochemistry.

Admission to graduate programmes is governed by the relevant legislation on graduate education, the Anadolu University Regulation on Graduate Education and Examinations, and the admission requirements announced by the relevant Graduate School. Depending on the programme, admission decisions may take into account the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES) score, foreign language proficiency, undergraduate or graduate grade point average, written scientific assessment examination, interview, portfolio, and/or other programme-specific selection criteria.
Candidates who are offered admission must complete their registration within the deadlines announced by the relevant Graduate School and submit all required documentation. Admission through horizontal transfer is carried out in accordance with the Anadolu University Regulation on Graduate Education and Examinations and the procedures established by the relevant Graduate School. The application and admission procedures for international applicants are conducted in accordance with the admission requirements and supporting documentation approved by the Senate of Anadolu University.
COMMON REQUIREMENTS1. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree for graduate applications, or a master's degree with thesis for doctoral applications. However, students enrolled in non-thesis master's programs before 06/02/2013 will also be able to apply to the doctoral program. Candidates who have a bachelor's or master's degree in different fields than the department they applied to, and those who have received their undergraduate or graduate degrees from another higher education institution can be taken into the "Scientific Preparation Program". In programs where the language of instruction is Turkish but the related undergraduate program is English, all of the scientific preparation program courses are opened in Turkish.2- In order to apply to graduate programs with education in a foreign language (except for programs in which the field of science is a foreign language), the candidates must have at least 60 points from the foreign language exams organized by ÖSYM or the Foreign Language Exam of Higher Education Institutions (YÖKDİL) or the international equivalence accepted by ÖSYM. must have received a score equivalent to this score from foreign language exams.3- Candidates who apply to the foreign language fields of master's and doctorate science must have a score of at least 80 in the foreign language they will study or the equivalent of this score from the international foreign language exams accepted by ÖSYM.4- In order to register foreign candidates who are entitled to enroll in programs whose medium of instruction is Turkish; Turkish Teaching Center (TÖMER) and European Language Portfolio (ADP) level equivalent; They must certify that they have received (C1) level points or get enough points from the Turkish Level Determination and Proficiency Exams to be held. Students who get 70 points or more in the "Placement Exam" are taken to the "Proficiency Exam". The Turkish language of the student who gets at least 70 points out of 100 in the "Proficiency Exam" is considered sufficient for the graduate program to which he applied. Turkish is considered sufficient for foreign nationals who graduate from undergraduate programs whose language of instruction is Turkish.5- Except for non-thesis graduate programs, more than one graduate program cannot be registered and continued at the same time.6- "Grade Point Averages" will be evaluated out of 100 in the success ranking. If the system in which the student is studying is 100, he / she has to enter his / her grade of 100, if it is 4, the grade of 4 The candidate who has "Grade Status Certificate" in both 100 and quadrant system must enter the "Grade Point Average" in the 4 point system into the system. Candidates whose "GPA" has been calculated according to a different base will be calculated by Anadolu University and will be calculated by Anadolu University, according to the Senate Decision, https://www.anadolu.edu.tr/ogrenci-isleri/orgun -information-and-documents / senate-and-board of directors-resolutions / turk-ve-kibris- universities-note-provision and https://www.anadolu.edu.tr/ogrenci-isleri/orgun-bilgi-ve -documents / senate-and-executive-board-resolutions / foreign-universities-grades-rewards links. Ranking success in evaluation; from the highest score to the lowest score. If the scores are equal in the ranking, priority will be given to the candidate with a high undergraduate diploma grade, and if there is an equality here, the younger candidate will be given priority.7- Principal and substitute candidates who are entitled to register as a result of the success ranking will be announced in the announcements section on the Institute website.8- Final registrations will be made in person or by the person who has been given a notarized power of attorney, and candidates with missing / false statements will not be registered. However, the final registration of the candidates who will enroll in distance education programs will be made to the relevant institute or Open Education Faculty Offices personally or by the application of the person who has given a notarized power of attorney.9- The student who wants to request credit and grade transfer for the courses he has previously studied at the higher education institution must submit a petition to the relevant institute along with a petition that can serve as a basis for credit and grade transfer. Credit and grade transfer requests are examined by the relevant institute for once, covering the entire education of the student, and are resolved by the board of directors within 3 weeks at the latest from the beginning of the courses.10- Students are required to choose the courses to be taken during the registration renewal period and have it approved by their advisor. Otherwise, it will be considered as not registered due to missing transactions.DOCTORATE PROGRAMME ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:Candidates' success grade;1. 20% of the foreign language score, provided that you get at least 55 points from the foreign language exams organized by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) or the Foreign Language Exam of Higher Education Institutions (YÖKDİL) or the equivalent of this score from the international foreign language exams accepted by ÖSYM (*), (**).2. If the transcript is prepared in the four-point system, 3.00 / 4.00 for undergraduate graduates, 2.50 / 4.00 for graduate graduates, 76/100 for undergraduate graduates, 65/100 for graduate graduates if prepared in a 100-point system. 30% of graduate GPA for post-doctorate, post-graduate doctorate,3. Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam The score of the program applied from ALES is at least 80 points, for those who apply with a master's degree at least 70 points, or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) It is calculated by taking 50% on condition that it gets the equivalent score accepted by the Board of Directors. (***).* All candidates who will enroll in master's and doctoral programs with education in a foreign language have a score of at least 60 or equivalent in the foreign language they will study Those who have a foreign language in their master's or doctorate field of science are required to get at least 80 points or equivalent in the foreign language they will study.** It must have been taken from one of the foreign language exams organized by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) or the Foreign Language Exam of Higher Education Institutions (YÖKDİL) or the international foreign language exams accepted as equivalent by ÖSYM. The validity period of YDS and e-YDS results is 5 years. The validity period specified by the institution conducting the exam will be taken into account in the scores obtained from other exams.*** ALES results are valid for 5 years from the date they are announced.DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION:1- “The original of the Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) Result Document or certified or the original or approved copy of "GRE or GMAT Exam Certificate",2- The original or certified copy of the "Foreign Language Level Determination Exam (YDS / e-YDS)" in the language of education of the registered program, the Foreign Language Exam of Higher Education Institutions (YÖKDİL) or one of the exams accepted as equivalent by ÖSYM, ( All candidates for master's / doctorate programs, at least 60, for foreign language programs, at least 80 for all candidates, and at least 55 for Turkish nationals who will enroll in doctoral / arts proficiency programs)*,3- The original or certified copy of the "Transcript" for the candidates applying to the master's program and post-graduate doctorate / proficiency in arts program, and the candidates applying to the post-graduate doctorate / arts proficiency program (Undergraduate and / or for foreign students The original of the "Graduate Certificate" (transcript) and its notarized Turkish translations translated by a sworn translator]**,4- The original or certified copy of the graduate diploma or graduation certificate for the candidates who apply to the master's program and the post-graduate doctorate / proficiency in arts program, for the applicants to the post-graduate doctorate / proficiency in arts program. original and notarized Turkish translations translated by a sworn translator)***,5- Three passport photos,6- T.R. Identity card / T.C. ID Card / Passport (It will be approved by the Institute.),7- New dated Military Status Certificate (for Turkish citizen male candidates) (It will be used in postponement procedures.),8- Turkish Language Proficiency Certificate approved by the "Anadolu University Turkish Teaching Application and Research Center" for foreign students who will enroll in graduate programs whose medium of instruction is Turkish.* "Foreign Language Equivalence Table" announced by ÖSYM; Available at http://dokuman.osym.gov.tr/pdfdokuman/2016/GENEL/EsdegerlikTablosu25022016.pdf.** "Grade Point Averages" will be evaluated out of 100 in the success ranking. In which system the student studied, the grade average in that system is essential. The "Grade Point Average" in the quadrant system of the candidate who has "Grade Status Certificate" in both 100 and quadrant system will be taken into consideration. As of the 2016-2017 academic year, the averages of the candidates whose "GPA" was calculated over 4.00, according to Table-2, which was accepted by the decision of Anadolu University's Board of Directors on 24/03/2016 and numbered 11/85. will be translated. The equivalent of the candidates whose GPA is calculated according to a different base will be calculated by Anadolu University and the Senate Decision on the subject will be available at https://www.anadolu.edu.tr/ogrenci-isleri/orgun-bilgi- and-documents / senate-and-executive-board-resolutions / Turkish-and-Cyprus-universities-grades-provisions. Ranking success in evaluation; from the highest score to the lowest score. If the scores are equal in the ranking, priority will be given to the candidate with a high undergraduate diploma grade, and if there is an equality here, the younger candidate will be given priority.*** For the graduation certificates obtained from abroad, the "Equivalency Certificate" / "School Recognition Letter" from the Higher Education Council will be requested.

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the relevant higher education legislation, the University's regulations governing education, examinations and assessment, and the institutional principles for exemption and credit transfer. Students may apply, within the specified deadlines, for exemption and credit transfer based on courses successfully completed at another higher education institution or on equivalent prior learning. Applications are evaluated by the relevant board or commission with due consideration of course content, credit/ECTS values, grades obtained, and their compatibility with the curriculum and learning outcomes of the relevant programme.

All students enrolled at Anadolu University are assigned a faculty academic advisor to provide guidance and support throughout their studies. Academic advisors offer counselling from the beginning of the student's academic programme until graduation, assisting students with academic, administrative, and other matters related to university life. In particular, advisors provide guidance during course registration and course selection processes, monitor students' academic progress, and support them in making informed decisions regarding their educational pathways.
For further information, please refer to the Academic Advising Directive of Anadolu University.

The programme is delivered in face-to-face / blended mode. Students are enrolled on the programme as (full-time / part-time) students. Teaching and learning activities are conducted in accordance with the programme curriculum, including the semester structure, scheduled class hours, practical components, and, where applicable, online learning environments.

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Grade	Coefficient
AA	4,0
AB	3,7
BA	3,3
BB	3,0
BC	2,7
CB	2,3
CC	2,0
CD	1,7
DC	1,3
DD	1,0
FF	0,0

A student with an MA/MS degree is required to successfully complete a minimum of 7 courses, not less than 52,5 ECTS credits on the other hand student without an MA/MS degree enrolling in the doctorate programs is required to successfully complete a minimum of 14 courses not less than 105 ECTS credits. Both groups of students are required take the required Field Specialization course, pass the qualifying exam, have an accepted dissertation proposal and successfully compete doctorate dissertation work with a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 and no letter grades lower than CC and no YT, DZ grades.
1. The thesis to be prepared at the end of the doctorate study; bring innovation to science, develop a new scientific method and apply a known method to a new field.2. Doctorate program; For a student with a master's degree with thesis, it consists of at least 7 courses, not less than 60 ECTS credits, a seminar course, proficiency exam, and a thesis proposal not less than 180 ECTS credits, specialization field course and thesis work. For students admitted with a bachelor's degree, it consists of a minimum of 14 courses, not less than 120 ECTS credits, a seminar course, a proficiency exam, and a thesis proposal of not less than 180 ECTS credits, a specialization course and a thesis study.3. In the doctorate program, more than 60 ECTS courses cannot be taken in one semester.4. It is compulsory to take at least 1 course that includes scientific research techniques and research and publication ethics during graduate education.5. The doctorate program, excluding the time spent in scientific preparation, starting from the semester in which the courses related to the program they are enrolled in are 8 semesters, and the maximum completion period is 12 semesters; 10 semesters for those admitted with a bachelor's degree and the maximum completion period is 14 semesters.6. The maximum period of successfully completing the credit courses required for the doctorate program; 4 semesters for those admitted with a master's degree with thesis, 6 semesters for those admitted with a bachelor's degree. At the end of these periods, the student who cannot successfully complete the ECTS credit courses and seminar course (only doctoral program students) in the curriculum, or who has the course (s) received a letter grade CD, DC, DD, FF, YZ or DZ, or who cannot achieve a 3.00 GPA is dismissed from the program.7. Successfully completing the credit courses; A student who is successful in the doctoral qualifying exam and whose doctoral thesis proposal is accepted, but fails to complete his doctoral thesis and original studies required for proficiency in art by the end of the 12 or 14 semesters specified in clause (a), is dismissed from the program.8. In order for a PhD student to be considered successful, he / she must obtain a letter grade of YT, CC or above from all courses and provide a minimum 3.00 GPA.9. Doctoral qualifying exam; It is held between the dates of the final exams specified in the academic calendar. The student takes a doctoral qualifying exam once a semester, at most twice a year.10. From the moment the student who has been accepted with a master's degree successfully completes the courses and at the latest in the 5th semester; Students admitted with a bachelor's degree must take the doctoral qualifying exam by the end of the 7th semester at the latest.11. Students who fail the qualifying exam for the doctorate; After the written and / or oral exam he failed, he will take the exam again in the next semester. The student who fails in this exam is dismissed from the doctoral program.12. Successful completion of the doctoral qualifying exam; submits the written thesis proposal to the members of the doctoral dissertation monitoring committee at least 15 days before the oral defense until the end of the final exams in the following semester. The student defends this proposal verbally in front of the committee.13. Doctoral thesis monitoring committee; Decides the acceptance, correction or rejection of the thesis proposal presented by the student with absolute majority. 1 month is given for correction. The decision of the committee and the written thesis proposal are reported to the relevant institute within 3 days after the thesis proposal defense by the head of the institute department.14. A student whose doctoral thesis proposal is rejected has the right to choose a new thesis supervisor and / or thesis topic. In such a case, a new doctoral thesis monitoring committee may be appointed. Students who want to continue the program with the same thesis supervisor within 3 months; The thesis supervisor and the student who changes the thesis subject are taken to the thesis proposal defense within 6 months. The student whose doctoral thesis proposal is rejected in this defense is dismissed from the program.15. Doctoral program student defends his thesis verbally before the jury until the deadline for the submission of the make-up exam letter grades specified in the academic calendar in the fall and spring semesters.16. The student who has completed his thesis; submits his thesis to the thesis advisor. Thesis advisor; examines the thesis's compliance with the spelling rules in the Guide. Consultant; sends the thesis together with the written opinion that the thesis is defensible to the institute through the head of the related department / department.17. In order for the student to defend his doctoral thesis / proficiency in arts thesis, at least 3 thesis monitoring committee reports must be submitted.18. Jury members meet at the specified day and time within 1 month at the latest from the date the thesis is submitted to them and take the student to the exam. Exam in the doctoral program; It consists of the presentation of the thesis study and the following question-answer section. Doctorate defense examination; It is open to lecturers, students and listeners who are experts in the field.19. After the exam is completed, the jury; It gives the decision of acceptance, rejection or correction of the doctoral thesis by absolute majority, without the student and the audience.20. A student whose doctoral dissertation is accepted is considered successful. The student whose doctoral dissertation study is rejected is dismissed from the program. For the doctoral thesis for which a correction decision is made, the student makes the necessary corrections within 6 months at the latest and submits his doctoral thesis to his advisor again. With the advisor's opinion that the doctoral thesis is defensible, the doctoral thesis is submitted to the institute through the head of the department. The student defends the corrected doctoral thesis in front of the same jury. A student who fails at the end of this defense and whose doctoral thesis is not accepted is dismissed from the program.21. In the doctoral program; The date on which the copy of the thesis signed by the jury is submitted to the institute is the date of graduation.22. In order to promote and discuss the publications of the doctorate program student nationally and internationally, to increase the number of publications of the University, to increase the quality and to encourage publication; At least one article in the relevant department must be published or accepted for publication in one of the refereed journals scanned in the indexes determined by the relevant institute board of directors.

To be awarded a Doctoral Degree (PhD), students admitted with a Master's degree must successfully complete at least seven courses, a seminar course, and the doctoral qualifying examination, corresponding to a minimum of 60 ECTS credits. Students admitted directly with a Bachelor's degree must successfully complete at least fourteen courses, a seminar course, and the doctoral qualifying examination, corresponding to a minimum of 120 ECTS credits. In addition, both groups must successfully complete a thesis proposal, specialisation courses, and the doctoral dissertation, corresponding to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, and successfully defend the dissertation before an examination committee.
To qualify for graduation, students must obtain a grade of Satisfactory (YT) or CC or above in all courses, achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, and have at least one article published or formally accepted for publication in an indexed peer-reviewed journal relevant to their field of study.

Students who successfully fulfil all programme requirements are awarded a Doctoral Degree (PhD) Diploma in PhD in Biochemistry.. Graduates obtain a Level 8 (Doctoral Degree) qualification within the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF).

Graduates can also work at international or national pharmaceutical industries or laboratories in the field of biochemistry-related research and development. If students receive the required scores from ALES and language proficiency exams, they can also be employed as academic staff in higher education institutions.

The Doctoral Degree (PhD) represents Level 8, the highest academic qualification within the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF). Accordingly, there is no higher academic degree following the completion of a doctoral programme. Graduates may pursue academic careers as faculty members, researchers, or continue their scholarly development through postdoctoral research programmes at national or international higher education and research institutions.


PROF. DR. GÜLŞEN AKALIN ÇİFTÇİ