Undergraduate programs
In order to earn a Bachelor degree and graduate from SSH, a student must complete a degree program. Each program includes a number of required courses to be taken at various levels as well as a large number of courses to be taken outside of the degree program.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Sciences program comprises both state-of-the-art theoretical and hands-on laboratory courses in modern areas of the biological and biomedical sciences and technology including but not limited to, cell and molecular biology, bioinformatics, cell, recombinant, microscopy and imaging technologies, molecular genetics, microbiology, immunology, neurosciences, and a various others.

Duration: 4 years

Full information on the program is available on the department page.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Sciences program comprises both state-of-the-art theoretical and hands-on laboratory courses in modern areas of the biological and biomedical sciences and technology including but not limited to, cell and molecular biology, bioinformatics, cell, recombinant, microscopy and imaging technologies, molecular genetics, microbiology, immunology, neurosciences, and a various others.

Our program aligns with the Modernization 3.0 strategy to train a professional, competitive workforce able to succeed nationally and internationally and to promote research and development in Kazakhstan. The integrated teaching, research and innovation approach provides an outstanding preparation for careers in research, academia, medicine, industry, and related fields. Biological Sciences graduates, who have taken advantage of their elective choices, can find work in different fields related to Kazakhstan's economy, education, environment and health. In these fields they can grow into senior positions in either scientific/technical or non-technical areas.
Graduates of this program will have multiple options to continue their education and acquire a graduate degree from Nazarbayev University or internationally, in various areas of life sciences, medical sciences, or public health.

Until now about two-thirds of graduates with a BSc in Biological Sciences were admitted to Medical Doctor, Master of Science, or Master of Public Health programs at Nazarbayev University School of Medicine. About 10% of graduates pursued graduate education at reputable foreign institutions in Europe, North America, Japan, Singapore and Korea. The remaining graduates chose to enter other graduate programs at Nazarbayev University including our Master of Science program in Biological Sciences and Technologies or were offered jobs.
English Language Requirements (for all applicants)
  • IELTS – no less than 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each sub-score)
  • TOEFL IBT – 79 and more (Reading – no less than 13, Listening – no less than 12, Speaking – no less than 18, Writing – no less than 21)
  • TOEFL PBT * - 574 and more

Academic Requirements
Minimum requirements for graduates or students of the final year of secondary school, colleges, UK Foundation program and graduates of the A-level program
  • SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 OR ACT – 26 composite score. Writing part is not required, no minimum score.

Minimum requirements for graduates and holders of NIS Grade 12 Certificate
  • NIS 12 Grade Certificate – A B B (any subjects)
  • NIS Grade 12 Certificate holders can also participate in the competition in the "Graduates of secondary schools" category with IELTS and SAT results (see the minimum requirements for this category above).

Minimum requirements for graduates and holders of IВ Diploma Program
  • IB DP 30 total score and 4, 4, 5 for 3 subjects of HL
  • IB DP holders can also participate in the competition in the "Graduates of secondary schools" category with IELTS and SAT results (see the minimum requirements for this category above).

Minimum requirements for the winners of the republican subject olympiads category for all schools' participants:
  • winners of the following republican mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and informatics olympiads
  • gold and silver medals (I, II place) for the current academic year
  • IELTS/TOEFL is required, no minimum score
  • Interview with Admission Committee is required

Minimum requirements for the winners of the international subject olympiads category for all schools' participants:
  • winners of the following olympiads: International Mathematics Olympiad - IMO, International Physics Olympiad - IPHO, International Chemistry Olympiad - IChO, International Biology Olympiad - IBO, International Olympiad in Informatics - IOI, International Zhautykov Olympiad in Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, International Mendeleyev Chemistry Olympiad
  • gold, silver and bronze medals (I, II, III place) for the last three years
  • IELTS/TOEFL is required, no minimum score
  • Interview with Admission Committee is required

Minimum requirements for transfer students:
  • SAT Reasoning Test – 1240 OR ACT – 26 composire score.
  • GPA - 2.75 out of 4
  • Applicants/students who have successfully completed at least one academic year of an undergraduate program at a university with the English language as an official language of instruction and included in the list of top 200 universities according to the Times Higher Education World University or QS World University ranking at the time of application, are exempt from submitting SAT and IELTS/TOEFL results.

The Nazarbayev University applies the Superscoring for SAT scores.
TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not considered.
TOEFL PDT is admitted only from international applicants from the countries where an official IELTS or TOEFL iBT are not available.
Graduates of this program will have multiple options to continue their education and acquire a graduate degree from Nazarbayev University or internationally, in various areas of life sciences, medical sciences, or public health.

Until now about two-thirds of graduates with a BSc in Biological Sciences were admitted to Medical Doctor, Master of Science, or Master of Public Health programs at Nazarbayev University School of Medicine. About 10% of graduates pursued graduate education at reputable foreign institutions in Europe, North America, Japan, Singapore and Korea. The remaining graduates chose to enter other graduate programs at Nazarbayev University including our Master of Science program in Biological Sciences and Technologies or were offered jobs.
As per NU policy and Bologna guidelines, the undergraduate degree program requires a minimum of 240 total ECTS credits. Apart from Biological and Chemical courses, students have to take couple courses from other disciplines during 1t to 3rd years of study like Kazakh language and History of Kazakhstan courses, Calculus, Programming for Scienctists and Engineers course etc. Full program outline can be found on School's website. Some courses may change from year to year.
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