Courses
Genetics and Medical Biotechnology, 4 ECTS

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Arta Armani
Email: [email protected]

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Esra Menfaatli
Email: [email protected]
Faculty: Medicine
Department: Medical Biology and Genetics
Course Description:
Medical Biotechnology, with the growth in Genetic Engineering technology and the advancement of research in Biotechnology, is experiencing rapid growth in recent years. This natural science field leads to opportunities for the development of innovative technologies to improve human health through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic diseases. In this line, Medical Biotechnology has revolutionized the health system and combines engineering technologies with biological sciences to regulate systems and living organisms. Genome sequencing, cloning, stem cell research, and gene therapy combined with CRISPR/Cas9 technology are the most important benefits of genetic engineering that make this field indispensable in the modern world.
The course aims to teach advanced lessons in the biological processes meant for medical biotechnology and other purposes. During the course, the concept of medical biotechnology and its connections with human genetic diseases will be covered systematically from the central dogma of genetics and then generalized with the recent applications in biotechnology with special topics.
The course is designed in two parts which will provide students the opportunity to learn not only the theoretical part of the course but also apply the practical part in our laboratories by using Genomic DNA Isolation and Measurement Procedures, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), RFLP, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, Sequencing, and Bioinformatics Tools. A unique aspect of this course is its focus on biotechnology in medicine.
Requirements: Basic Genetics and Computer Skills
Who can participate: Students from the Faculty of Medicine, Genetic Engineering, Science and Arts (Genetics, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, Biochemistry) department.
Participation Limit: 20 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
The Biotechnology Century and Its Workforce | Introduction to Genes and Genomes, Genomic DNA Isolation, and Measurement | Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA Technology and PCR Experiment | Proteins as Final Products of Genes and RFLP Experiment | Medical Biotechnology and Its Applications: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Cancer Genetics Pharmacogenomics and Bioinformatics Tools | Gene Primer Design: Cloning and Sequencing | The Greatest Discovery: The Human Genome Project and Sequence Analysis | Gene Therapy and CRISPR/Cas9 Technology | Ethics and Medical Biotechnology |
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Current Issues in International Politics, 3 ECTS

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Tarık Oğuzlu
Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
Twitter: @TarikOguzlu
Faculty: Administrative Sciences
Course Description:
This course is designed as an introduction to current issues in international politics that appear to have a great impact on the dynamics of peace and cooperation across the globe. The goal is to help students engage in various issues on the global agenda from conceptual, theoretical, political, and practical perspectives. Making sense of today’s international environment in light of key issues concerning humanity is a vital task.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, students will be able to;
- Analyze current issues in international politics from conceptual, theoretical, political, and practical perspectives
- Develop an intellectual capacity to see where our world is headed to
Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in social sciences, international relations, humanities, arts, communication, political science, economics, management, journalism, and business administration.
Prerequisites, if any: Desire to enhance knowledge and improve critical thinking skills in international politics.
Course Materials: Readings will be shared with students.
Participation Limit: 30 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Decoding the Evolving Dynamics of the Post-liberal International Order | Changing World Order and Debates on American Grand Strategy | Changing World Order and Debates on the International Identity of the European Union | Changing World Order and the Rise of China in Global Politics | Decoding the Dynamics of Russia’s Uneasy Relationship with the Liberal International Order & Student Presentations |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Making Sense of NATO, BRICS, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Today’s World | Changing Dynamics of Political, Security, and Economic Order in the Greater Middle East | The Growing Importance of Middle Powers in Global Politics-traditional vs. New-age Middle Powers | Revolutions in Energy, Technology and Military Affairs and the Future of Humanity | The Future of Globalization: Are We Heading Toward the Second Cold War? & Student Presentations |
Assessment and Evaluation
Mid-term exam: Student presentations at the end of the 1st week and 2nd weeks (40%)
Final exam: Take-home exam at the end of the 2nd week (60%)
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Multi-Criteria Decision Making, 3 ECTS

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Nima Mirzaei
Email: [email protected]
Faculty: Engineering
Course Description:
We live in a complex world with diverse people, firms, and governments whose behaviors aggregate to produce novel, unexpected phenomena. We need to make strategic decisions in uncertain and complex situations in which information is ambiguous. Effective decision-making requires the adoption of decision approaches that fit the complexities of these situations and the efficient management of decision-making processes. Within the two weeks, participants will be able to learn popular decision-making methods and software to assist them in decision-making when facing a real-life problem.
This course deliberates decision-making under uncertainty by addressing Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques. MCDM is a collection of methods for trading-off different alternatives’ performance on multiple conflicting objectives; methods discussed include the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Analytic Network Process (ANP), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. Both qualitative and quantitative factors are considered to evaluate alternatives.
Finally, SuperDecion software is introduced in this course as a complementary tool for the decision-making approach.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completing the course, the students will be able to;
- Configure the problems by analytical thinking and classify the problems
- Cooperate with a group for a decision-making process
- Implement an MCDM approach to a real-life problem and apply the method in professional practice
- Apply AHP, ANP, and TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making techniques
- Use computer programs (SuperDecion and Excel) to model and solve a problem
Requirements: The students must have at least an intermediate level of English and a basic level of mathematics and statistics.
Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in engineering, social sciences, humanities, communication, architecture, business, and marketing.
Course Materials:
Microsoft PPT, Books, articles, and videos. (Instructors will provide PPT slides)
Participation Limit: Max 20 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Basic Concepts of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) | Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) | Case studies and Computer Applications for AHP (SuperDecion Program) | Analytic Network Process (ANP) | Midterm Exam |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Case studies and Computer Applications for ANP (SuperDecion program) | Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, model practice, advantages, and disadvantages | Application of TOPSIS in Excel | Real-life Case Studies Evaluation and Discussion | Final Exam |
Assessment and evaluation:
Midterm exam: Paper-based exam or project submission at the end of the 1st week (50 %)
Final exam: Paper-based exam or project submission and presentation at the end of the 2nd week (50 %)
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Digital Marketing, 3 ECTS

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatma Nazlı Köksal
Email: [email protected]
Faculty: Administrative Sciences
Course Description: This course is about the exciting world of digital marketing. The importance of digital marketing has been outlined by Ryan (2017) as:
“Digital marketing has become the most powerful form of marketing ever known to mankind.” The growth of the Internet, in terms of the number of websites online and the number of people with Internet access, is unstoppable. It’s estimated that there are more people online today globally than offline. As the potential audience grows, so too does the allure of digital marketing. Digital marketers around the world need to understand new ways of understanding and engaging with their customers who are becoming better informed, better connected, more communicative, and more in control than ever.
In this course, we are going to look at how businesses can harness the power of the online revolution to connect and engage with their customers successfully. One of the key things to remember is digital marketing is not about understanding the underlying technology, but rather about understanding people, how they are using that technology, and how you can leverage that to engage with them more effectively. Yes, today’s marketers have to learn to use technology; but understanding people is the real key to unlocking the potential of digital marketing.
The Digital Marketing Summer Program will blend brief theoretically grounded seminars with practical lectures given by subject-matter specialists. Reputable guest speakers from top corporations will impart their knowledge and experiences on focus topics (such as influence marketing and digital advertising). The delivery of the sessions will combine lectures, group projects, and keynote speaker speeches.
Learning Outcomes: Participants in this intensive summer program will become familiar with the digital marketing resources required to create winning digital marketing plans and direct the implementation of digital marketing strategies. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the transition from marketing to digital marketing
- How digital technology is influencing consumer behavior
- How to assess the effectiveness of websites and create compelling web content
- Engage consumers through email, mobile, and social media marketing
- Comprehend what search engine marketing is and how it works
Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in social sciences, business, marketing, humanities, arts, communication, political sciences, philology, and journalism.
Participation Limit: 30 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Introduction to Digital Marketing Era | Customer-centric Marketing | Digital Marketing Channels: Websites, Social Media, Organic Search (SEO), … etc. | Digital Marketing Channels: Video Marketing, Influencer Marketing, … etc. | Midterm Assignment |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Digital Marketing Fundamentals | Digital Marketing Strategy and Development | Campaign Planning for Digital Media | Case Learning from Amazon’s Culture of Metrics | Final Exam |
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Neuroscience, 4 ECTS

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Hakkı Dalçık
Email: [email protected]

Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Turan Onur Bayazıt
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in Medical Neuroscience designed to include the basic principles of organization and function of the Central Nervous System. The course will focus primarily on the cerebral cortex and the subcortical areas of the human brain to illustrate the core concepts in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurobiology, and neuropharmacology. The cellular composition and molecular structure of the brain and the functions of the synapses and neural signaling will be described and practical sessions will be held.
This course will also refer to specific neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases of the Central Nervous System and give the basic molecular principles of their pathophysiology and treatment.
The overall goal of this course is to provide the foundation for understanding the structures and functions of the brain underpinning human behavior, emotions, cognition, and learning to give a dynamic picture of the rapidly evolving field of neuroscience and its clinical applications.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the neocortex, subcortical brain, and the functional areas of the brain
- Understand cortical neuronal networks that integrate movement, cognition, and emotion
- Gather essential information about synaptic transmission and mechanisms of neurotransmitter modulation of neuronal activity
- Understand the pathophysiology of cognitive decline
- Discover how cortical neuronal circuits are used to inspire the artificial neural network
- Understand how neuroscience is connected to artificial intelligence
Who can participate: Medical and other Health Sciences, Computer, and Electrical Engineering undergraduate and graduate students.
Prerequisites, if any: Basic knowledge of biology and enthusiasm.
Course Materials: Lecture notes, books, lab videos, problem sets, and reading of original papers.
Participation Limit: Max 20 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Anatomical Organization of the Central Nervous System and Lab Demonstration-I | Functional Areas of the Cerebral Cortex and the Corticospinal Tracts and Lab Demonstration-II | Subcortical Structures: Limbic System and the Basal Ganglia and Lab Demonstration-III | Neurons, Neuroglia, Nerve Fibers, and Blood-Brain Barrier | Midterm Exam |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Action Potentials, Synaptic Transmission, and Brain Imaging Techniques | Neurotransmitters and their Pathways, Genes, and Behavior | The Molecular Neurobiology of Cognitive Function and Neurodegenerative Disorders | The Molecular Neurobiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Addiction | Final Exam |
Assessment and Evaluation
Midterm and final examinations, homework problem sets, and classroom participation.
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Exploration of Turkish Art via Museums, 3 ECTS

Instructor: Mesut Batuhan Cankir
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
Istanbul, one of the oldest cities in the world, a city located on two continents, is the biggest city in Turkey. Also the new center of modern and contemporary art with its historical and cultural roots. In this beautiful city, we would like to show Anatolian Civilizations and Arts, Traditional and Contemporary Turkish Arts by visiting museums in an interactive manner.
Within the two weeks, students will learn quite a little information about Anatolian and Turkish art through presentations in classrooms then they will prove this information in museums experimentally. The Course contains Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian arts, traditional arts; calligraphy, miniature, tiles, the best works of contemporary Turkish artists, and many more.
The museums that will be visited are Istanbul Archeological Museums, Topkapı Museum, Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Pera Museum, Proje 4L Museum, İstanbul State Art and Sculpture Museum, and Istanbul Modern Museum.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to;
- Identify Anatolian, Traditional, and Contemporary Turkish art
- See and Discover Istanbul’s Museums
- Understand the Differences Between Art Disciplines also Movements
Who can participate: The course is open to all undergraduate and graduate students
Prerequisites: –
Course Materials: –
Participation Limit: 20 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Meeting & Anatolian Civilisations | Traditional Turkish Art | Visiting Sabancı Museum | Visiting Topkapı Palace | Visiting Istanbul Archaeological Museums |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Contemporary Turkish Art | Visiting Elgiz Museum | Visiting Pera Museum & Taksim Galleries | Visiting Istanbul Modern & İstanbul State Art and Sculpture Museum & Final Exam | Graduating |
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Brand Management, 3 ECTS

Instructor: Prof. Dr. İlkay Karaduman
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the subjects of brands, brand equity, and strategic brand management- the design and implementation of marketing programs and activities to build, measure and manage brand equity.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understanding the role of brands, the concept of brand equity, and the advantages of creating strong brand equity
- Understanding three main ideas to build brand equity as choosing brand elements, designing marketing programs, and leveraging brand associations
- Understanding branding strategies such as brand hierarchies, portfolios, extensions
Who can participate: All students interested in brand management and marketing colorful world
Prerequisites, if any: –
Course Materials: The main book of the course is “Strategic Brand Management” by Kevin Lane Keller published by Pearson Global
Participation Limit: 30
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Meeting / Introduction to the Course | Marketing Overview | Brands and Brand Management | Customer-based Brand Equity and Brand Positioning | Midterm Online Examination |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
How to Build Brand Equity? | How to Manage Brand Equity? | Brand Extensions | Brand Resonance | Final Examination (Homework and PPT) |
Assessment and Evaluation:
Mid-term exam: Take home online quiz 40% (at the end of the 1st week)
Final exam: Take-home exam 60 % (at the end of the 2nd week)
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
Integrated Marketing Communications, 6 ECTS (Blended Online Mobility Erasmus+)

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali Efe İRALI
Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
Twitter: @aliefeirali
Course Description:
The course aims to provide the ability to make comments and understand the main principles of marketing which includes operations and strategies. In the course, it is planned to explain the main operatives of marketing and consumer parties in the context of digital technologies, traditional factors, and the linked elements related to the supply chain.
Within this scope, the unique models of marketing will be mentioned and financial principles will be detailed under critical headlines such as physical, virtual, and other production places of the digital environments.
Learning Outcomes: Students who take the course will be able to interpret general marketing principles through multi-disciplinary ecosystems and explain business planning & analyzing processes together with models and methods in terms of marketing operations.
Who can participate: The course is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students who are interested to work in marketing-related areas, especially in social sciences, international relations, humanities, arts, communication (new media, journalism, and radio-tv and cinema, public relations), political science, economics, business administration, design-oriented disciplines (game, graphics, animation), computer engineering.
Prerequisites, if any: Although some of them will be mentioned briefly during the course, the knowledge of basic principles that include supply and demand theorems would be a plus.
Course Materials: Readings will be shared with students.
Participation Limit: 30 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Overview of Communication Mediums, Marketing & IMC | Understanding of Consumer Behavior | Individual & Organizational Sales Strategies | Interactive Media & Digital Environments | Entertainment as a Promotion Tool in IMC |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Physical and Virtual Products in Retail Marketing | Advertising and Promotion Techniques, Sales, Sponsorships, Publicity & Public Relations | Evaluation Methods & Key Performance Indicators for IMC | Cutting Edge Technologies like Virtual and Augmented Reality Based Applications in IMC | Sentimental & Content Analysis Procedures for IMC in the Context of Natural Language Processing Tools |
Assessment and Evaluation:
Mid-term exam: Student presentations at the end of the 1st and 2nd weeks (40%)
Final exam: Take-home exam at the end of the 2nd week (60%)
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)
The Taste of Istanbul and Anatolian Food Culture, 3 ECTS

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Nasim Kian Pour
Email: [email protected]

Instructor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Zehra Yardı
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
A big part of traveling and experiencing a new culture is exploring the local cuisine. In the case of Turkey, there is a rich variety of tastes and influences. Turkish cuisine is largely the heritage of Ottoman cuisine, which can be described as a fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Balkan cuisines. Turkish cuisine has in turn influenced other cuisines in the region and beyond.
This course provides an introduction to the rich Turkish Culinary Culture by way of theoretical information, practical lessons in the state-of-the-art kitchens of Istanbul Aydin University’s Gastronomy Department, and a tasting trip to Istanbul.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify different staples of Turkish food culture with its history and cultural influences; know the ingredients, preparation techniques, and serving methods of various food groups, and be able to cook some popular Turkish dishes.
Who can participate: Anyone who wants to know Turkish Cuisine better.
Prerequisites, if any: Interest in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts.
Course Materials: Readings will be shared with students.
Participation Limit: Max 20 students
Curriculum:
Week 1 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Introduction to Turkish Culinary Arts | Turkish Mezze | Workshop: Pide and Lahmacun | Baklava Factory Visit | Workshop: Börek Midterm exam |
Week 2 | ||||
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
Workshop: Mediterranean Food and Olive Oil Cuisine | Tasting Trip: Fatih | Workshop: Turkish Delights and Turkish Coffee | Workshop: Turkish Desserts with Syrup | Final Exam |
Assessment and Evaluation
Midterm Exam: Preparation of Selected Turkish Food
Final Exam: An Assignment About Turkish Food
IAU reserves the right to cancel any of the courses if insufficient enrollment occurs (Less than 10 participants)