MSc Parasitology

(a)    List of Courses
Course code                Course Title             Credit
SCI 810        Management and Entrepreneurship                2
SCI 811        Issues in Biological Warfare                    2
SCI 822        Research Methodology/ICT                    2
SCI 814        Bioinformatics                            3
ZOO 811        Research Techniques/Methods in Parasitology    2
ZOO 831        Basic Principles and Concepts in Parasitology    3
ZOO 832        Transmission and diseases of Protozoan parasites       3
ZOO 833        Physiology and Biochemistry of parasites          3
ZOO 841        Parasite Immunology                        3
ZOO 842        Transmission and diseases of Helminth parasites        3
ZOO 843        Epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases
in the tropics                         3
ZOO 845        Seminar                                1
ZOO 899        Research Projects                            6

(b)    Summary of Departmental Graduation Requirements For MSc. Parasitology.
Students must register and pass a minimum of 30 credit units. The courses must include: SCI 810 (2), SCI 811 (2), SCI 814 (3), SCI 822 (3), SCI 823 (3), ZOO 811 (2), ZOO 825 (1), ZOO 899 (6).

(c)    Course description for MSc Parasitology
SCI 810    Management and Entrepreneurship            2 Credits
    The course will cover business environment, general management, financial management, entrepreneurship development, feasibility studies, marketing and managerial problem solving.

SCI 811    Issues in Biological Warfare                2 Credits
Definition, History and Agents of Biological Warfare.  Selection criteria of effective biological warfare agents.  Bioengineering principles and guidelines for effective biological warfare.  Targets and effects of biological warfare agents.  Principles and guidelines on the acquisition, development, production, packaging, storage and development of biological warfare agents.  Merits and limitations of biological warfare.  Conventions, problems, politics and prospects of biological warfare.

SCI 814    Bioinformatics                        3Credits Scripting. Use of computer programmes. Programme installation and navigation. Data mining. Statistical analysis. Primer design. Sequence analysis. BLAST. Phylogenetic analysis. Protein alignment.

SCI 822    Research Methods/ ICT                    3 Credits
This course should cover essentials of Spreadsheets, Internet technology Statistical Packages, Precision and Accuracy of Estimates, Principles of Scientific Research, Concepts of Hypotheses Formulation and Testing, Organization of Research and Report Writing.

ZOO 811    Research Techniques/Methods in Parasitology      2 Credits
These include methods and techniques needed in planning and conducting research in Parasitology and Entomology.
ZOO 831    Basic Principles and Concepts in Parasitology            3Credits Hetero-specific associations among animals. Types of parasitism, parasites and their hosts. The effects of parasitism on the parasite and host. Distribution of parasites in a host population. Factors influencing parasite density and distribution. Host-parasite specificity; the species problem and the evolution of parasitism in the animal kingdom.

ZOO 832    Transmission and diseases of Protozoan parasites   3 Credits
Parasitic Protozoa of medical and veterinary importance. Transmission patterns and types of diseases caused by protozoan parasites in the tropics. The role of vectors in the transmission of protozoan diseases. The role of host behaviour in the transmission of protozoan parasites.

ZOO 833    Physiology and Biochemistry of parasites          3 Credits
Habitat and physicochemical requirements, nutrition, absorption, energy stores, energy metabolism in parasitic protozoa and helminths. Purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism and membrane biology in parasitic protozoa and helminths.  Moulting, arrested development, self cure phenomena.  Parasitic adaptations and propagation of parasites. Ultra-structure of parasites and its relationship to physiological processes. 
ZOO 841    Parasite Immunology                    3 Credits
Basic concepts; natural and acquired immunity. Cell types in immune systems;  immunity to parasites (Protozoa and Helminths). Evasion of host immune response; Advances in immunization against parasitic infections. Immunological methods.

ZOO 842    Transmission and diseases of Helminth parasites    3Credits Helminth parasites of medical and veterinary importance, including life history of parasites. Food  and vector-borne parasitic infections. Type of diseases caused by helminth parasites. The role of host behaviour in parasitic helminth transmission. Circadian rhythms in the transmission of helminth parasites  (filarial periodicity).   Control strategies.

ZOO 843 Epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases in the tropics   3 Credits
Introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology.  Types of epidemiological surveys (Descriptive, experimental and analytical). Patterns of disease occurrence in the tropics. Measurement of parasitic infections in a host population. Epidemiology and recent developments in the control of major parasitic diseases and their vectors in tropical Africa. Ethical consideration in epidemiological studies.

ZOO 845     Seminar                                1 Credit
 This involves a critical review of current literature in specific areas of specialization. Each student is expected to write and make an oral presentation on a topic in his/her area of specialization and must participate in all departmental seminars.


ZOO 899    Research Project                            6 Credits  
 A research project in the relevant area of specialization which must be defended before a panel of external and internal examiners.



LIST OF ADDITIONAL COURSE(S) NOT IN THE NUC BMAS   

S/No    Course code        Course Title                       Credit Units
1.    SCI 811        Issues in Biological Warfare                2
MSc Biotechnology

(a)    List of Courses
Course code                Course Title            Credit
SCI 810        Management and Entrepreneurship                2
SCI 811        Issues in Biological Warfare                    2
SCI 822        Research Methodology/ICT                    2
BTE 811        Advanced Cell Biology                             2
BTE 812        Advanced molecular Biology                    3
BTE 813        Bioethics                                2
BTE 814        Microbial Technology                        2
BTE 815        Bioinformatics                            3
BTE 816        Medical Biotechnology                        2
BTE 821        Research Techniques in Biotechnology            3
BTE 822        Genetic Engineering                        2
BTE 823        Plant Biotechnology                        2
BTE 824        Animal Biotechnology                        2
BTE 825        Seminar                                2
BTE 899        Research Project                            6

(b)    Summary of Departmental Graduation Requirements For MSc. Biotechnology.
Students must register and pass a minimum of 30 credit units. The courses must include: SCI 810 (2), SCI 811 (2), SCI 812 (3), BTE 811 (2), BTE 812 (3), BTE 813 (2), BTE 814 (2), BTE 815 (3), BTE 825 (1) and BTE 899 (6).

(c)    COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR MSC BIOTECHNOLOGY
SCI 810    Management and Entrepreneurship            2 Credits
    The course will cover business environment, general management, financial management, entrepreneurship development, feasibility studies, marketing and managerial problem solving.

SCI 811    Issues in Biological Warfare                2 Credits
Definition,  History and Agents of Biological Warfare.  Selection criteria of effective biological warfare agents.  Bioengineering principles and guidelines for effective biological warfare.  Targets and effects of biological warfare agents.  Principles and guidelines on the acquisition, development, production, packaging, storage and development of biological warfare agents.  Merits and limitations of biological warfare.  Conventions, problems, politics and prospects of biological warfare.

SCI 822    Research Methods/ ICT                    3 Credits
This course should cover essentials of Spreadsheets, Internet technology Statistical Packages, Precision and Accuracy of Estimates, Principles of Scientific Research, Concepts of Hypotheses Formulation and Testing, Organization of Research and Report Writing.

BTE 811    Advanced Cell Biology                     2 Credits
Plant and animal cells. Carbohydrate , fat and protein metabolism. Concepts of DNA, RNA and proteins. Plant and animal DNA, RNA. DNA and RNA synthesis. Protein Synthesis. Genes, gene transcription and translation. Subcellular protein targeting. Protein stability and turnover. Cell death. Plant and animal hormones and Vitamins intracellular and intercellular communication. Regulation of tissue growth. 


BTE 812    Advanced Molecular Biology                 3 Credits
Principles of gene amplification. Polymerase chain reaction. Multiplex PCR. DNA and RNA extraction and purification. Expression vectors, promoters, plasmids and clones. Principles of plasmid ligation. Restriction digestion analysis. Principles of microarray and DNA chip analysis. Sequencing. Hybridization techniques. Gene transfer methods (electroporation, protoplastfusion). Gene addition and subtraction. Gene regulation. Genetic mapping. Gene and DNA markers: Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), Short tandem repeats or microsatellites (STR), Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), Expressed sequence tags (EST). Genetic fingerprinting and footprinting. Methods of DNA cloning and protein expression. DNA analysis in agriculture, medicine, forensic science and archeology.

BTE 813    Bioethics                                  2 Credits
Environmental impact of biotechnology. Use of genetically modified organisms (GMO), earosols, insecticides, etc. Social, ethical and legal considerations. Regulation of biotechnology. Issues in biosafety. Biosafety regulations.

BTE 814    Microbial Technology                      2 Credits
History of microbial technology. Microbial biodiversity. Protein production by bacteria. Production of fuel alcohol, beer, wine, dairy products, etc. Biomass transformation and microbiology of pulp and paper. Polymer synthesis and biodegradation. Use of viruses in biotechnology.

BTE 815    Bioinformatics                         3 Credits
Scripting. Use of computer programmes. Programme installation and navigation. Data mining. Statistical analysis. Primer design. Sequence analysis. BLAST. Phylogenetic analysis. Protein alignment.

BTE 816    Medical Biotechnology                    2 Credits
Gene therapy and gene delivery methods. Immunoenhancing technology. Nucleic acid vaccines. Therapeutic ribozymes. Synthetic drugs. Tissue engineering with reference to skin, liver, and pancreas. Xenotransplantation. Antibody engineering. Cell-adhession based therapy. Drug delivery.

BTE 821.    Research Techniques in Biotechnology         3 Credits
RT-PCT. Real-Time PCR. Multiplex PCR. Vertical gel electrophoresis for proteins. Horizontal gel electrophoresis for nucleic acids. Northern and Southern blot analysis for nucleic acids. Gel-shift and gel retardation of DNA-protein complex analysis. Western blot analysis for proteins ELISA.Transformation, transfection and cloning. Rapid amplification of DNA ends (RACE). Cell and tissue culture. Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF, etc.). Chromatographic analysis. Microarray and DNA chip analysis of transcriptomes and proteoms.

BTE 822    Genetic Engineering                     2 Credits

Definition. Aims of genetic engineering. Nucleic acid structure and function. Genomic structure: genes, exons and introns. Cloning and gene therapy. Analysis of specific genes and genomes. Mutagenesis and DNA repair. Trangenesis. Use of antisense technology. Terminator technology. Production of recombinant proteins (recombinant hormones, enzymes, vaccines, etc.). Genetically modified plants and animals. Gene pharming.

BTE 823    Plant Biotechnology                    2 Credits
Plant tissue culture and applications. Micropropagations, somatic embryogenesis, somaclonal variations. Chemicals and plants interactions. Application of genetic engineering in crop improvement, herbicide resistance, insect resistance, environmental tolerance, virus resistance, and agricultural food production.

BTE 824    Animal Biotechnology                    2 Credits
Gene transfer methods in animal production. Microinjection, embryonic stem cell. Transgenic animal models. Animal diseases and gene therapy. Animal propagation through artificial insemination and cloning. Dolly the Sheep. Embryo transfer. Regulation of transgenic animal production. Genetically engineered animals. Protein engineering from live animals. Risk assessment of biotechnology in animals.

BTE 825    Seminars in Biotechnology                 2 Credits
Designed to give practice in critical reading of research articles in journals and in the oral and visual presentation of scientific information.

BTE 899    Research Project                        6 Credits
A candidate for the M.Sc. degree shall undertake an independent research in the particular field of specialization under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Department Postgraduate committee and approved by the Postgraduate School and the University Senate. A report on the research project shall be submitted to the Department. The candidate shall be examined orally by a panel of internal and external examiners.
LIST OF ADDITIONAL (COURSE(S) NOT IN APPROVED BMAS.

SCI 811    -    Issues in Biological Warfare        -    2 credit




MSc Medicinal and Toxic Plant Studies

(a)    List of Courses
Course code            Course Title                Credit
SCI  810        Management Entrepreneurship                     2
SCI  811        Issues in Biological Warfare                    2
SCI  812        Science, Environment and Innovations            3
SCI  813        Evolution and Diversity of Major Plant Groups        3
SCI  814        Bioinformatics                            3
SCI  822        Research Method/ICT                        3
SCI  823         Environmental Impact Assessment                3
BOT 811        Biodiversity and Conservation                    3
BOT 812        Environment Pollution and Protection                2
BOT 813        Advanced Genetics and Plant Breeding            3
BOT 824        Field Course                                2
BOT 835        Ecological Plant Physiology                    2
BOT 836        General Plant Systematics                    3
BOT 837        Plant Metabolism                            2
BOT 845        Plant Toxicology                            3
BOT 846        Phytotherapy                            3
BOT 847        Pharmacognosy                            2
BOT 848        Ethno - botany and Herbal Medicine Practice        3
BOT 849        Seminar                                1
BOT 899        Research Project                                           6

(b)    Summary of Departmental Graduation Requirements For MSc. Medicinal and Toxic Plant Studies.
Students must register and pass a minimum of 30 credit units. The courses must include: SCI 810 (2), SCI 811 (2), SCI 812 (3), SCI 813 (3), SCI 822 (3), SCI 823 (3), BOT 811 (3), BOT 812 (2), BOT 813 (3), BOT 824 (2), BOT 825(1) and BOT 899 (6).



(c)    Course description for MSc Medicinal and Poisonous Plant Studies
SCI 810    Management and Entrepreneurship            2 Credits
    The course will cover business environment, general management, financial management, entrepreneurship development, feasibility studies, marketing and managerial problem solving.

SCI 811    Issues in Biological Warfare                2 Credits

Definition,  History and Agents of Biological Warfare.  Selection criteria of effective biological warfare agents.  Bioengineering principles and guidelines for effective biological warfare.  Targets and effects of biological warfare agents.  Principles and guidelines on the acquisition, development, production, packaging, storage and development of biological warfare agents.  Merits and limitations of biological warfare.  Conventions, problems, politics and prospects of biological warfare.

SCI 812    Science, Environment and Innovations        3 Credits
Ecology of global warming, environmental protection issues, biodiversity, pollution, species at risk, social and ethical implications of science, enterprise and productivity, intellectual property rights, private public partnership and investment will be covered in this course.
SCI 813    Evolution and Diversity of Major Plant Groups    3 Credits
Origin of plants: Green algae – multicellular and moses as ancestors. Movement of lands: moses and liverworsts. Characteristics of first terrestrial plants. Origin of seeds. Evolution of higher plants and their diversity. Importance of plant diversity. Relationship between families of flowering plants. Diversity and evolution of gymnosperms. Reticulate evolution of higher plants. Evolution of flower. Ecological importance of species diversity.

SCI 814    Bioinformatics                        3Credits Scripting. Use of computer programmes. Programme installation and navigation. Data mining. Statistical analysis. Primer design. Sequence analysis. BLAST. Phylogenetic analysis. Protein alignment.

SCI 822    Research Methods/ ICT                    3 Credits
This course should cover essentials of Spreadsheets, Internet technology Statistical Packages, Precision and Accuracy of Estimates, Principles of Scientific Research, Concepts of Hypotheses Formulation and Testing, Organization of Research and Report Writing.

SCI 823    Environmental Audit and Impact Assessment    3 Credits
Basic concepts, principles and history of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Relationship between EIA and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Indicator species and organisms of value in environmental assessment. Essentials in EIA. Potential problems of EIA and their solutions. Cost benefits as a tool for environmental decision-making. Field case studies of impact assessment in Nigeria.

BOT 811    Biodiversity and Conservation                3 Credits
Diversity among plants and animals in their natural habitat (wild life).  Alpha diversity and Beta diversity.  Scientifically induced diversities (breeding, genetically modified organisms (GMO).  Species richness and rarity management.  Factors enhancing loss of species richness and loss of aquatic biodiversity.  Natural resources conservation and ecological restoration (Aquatic and terrestrial). Wetlands (Importance and locations). Management methods of exploitation; Forest and savanna resources (Plants and animals), Aquatic resources (Fishing gears and aquaculture).

BOT 812    Environmental Pollution and Protection        2 Credits
Definition of pollution.  Sources of pollution into the environment: Civil and military sources.  Water pollution, air pollution, terrestrial pollution.  Noise pollution, radioactive pollution.  Effects of pollution on organisms.  Pollution assessment.  Pollution control strategies.  The problem of solid wastes.  Environmental management.
BOT 813    Advanced Genetics and Plant Breeding        3 Credits
Goals of plant breeding.  Plant introduction and germplasm collections.  Centers of genetic diversity and origin of cultivated plants.  Genetic basis of selection:  pure line theory, quantitative inheritance and heritability.  Apomixis, incompatibility and sterility.  Haploidy and polyploidy and their significance in plant breeding.  Uses of anueploids in plant breeding. Breeding methods for self and cross-fertilized crop species.  Backcross breeding, mutation breeding, resistance breeding for diseases, pests and drought.  Quality breeding, seed testing and certification.  Cell fusion and anther culture in plant breeding. Crop domestication and utilization in medicine.

BOT 824    Field Course                        2 Credits
An intensive field investigation into the taxonomy and ecology of critical groups of vascular and non-vascular plants.  Indicator species for major biomes in Nigeria. Threatened and Endangered plant species in Nigeria. Invasive plants; Exotic invasives (Management, law and legislation).

BOT 835    Ecological Plant Physiology                2 Credits
Indepth consideration of the physiological aspects of plant/animal – physical/chemical environment relationships.  Emphasis is placed on field problems such as productivity limitations and environmental stress.
BOT 836    General Plant Systematics                        2 Credits
Plant systematics in relation to medicinal and poisonous plants in general and Nigerian plants in particular.

BOT 837    Plant Metabolism                         2 Credits Anabolic and catabolic physiological processes in plants as basis for the sources, nature and mechanisms of action of plant based drugs and toxins.

BOT 845    Plant Toxicology                          3 Credits Introduction, classification of toxins and toxicities in animals and human subjects.  Higher and lower phytotoxins and phytoalergens.  Mechanism of action, treatment, prevention and control.

BOT 846    Phytotherapy                         2 Credits Phytochemical preparations, measures and quantities.  Emphasis on treatment of ailments with herbal medicines of Nigerian plant origins.

BOT 847    Pharmacognosy                        2 Credits
Herbals and pharmacopoeas, crude drugs, official drugs.  Evaluation and adulteration of drugs.  Drugs of animal origin, Biologics, pesticides, carcinogens and anticancer agents.

BOT 848    Ethno-botany and Herbal Medicine Practice        3 Credits History of Herbal Medicine, the whole person and homeostasis, vitalism, health and disease, essentials of health, rational therapy, herbal approach to treatment, pain and its rational treatment, micro-organisms and disease, the germ theory, poisonous and safe medicines. The Herbal Practitioner and the Law, Supply of Remedies. Code of Ethics and Rules of Practice in relation to biodiversity prospecting and conservation on medicinal plants.

BOT    849    Seminar                            1 Credit 
This involves a critical review of current literature in specific areas of specialization. Each student is expected to write and make an oral presentation on a topic in his/her area of specialization and must participate in all departmental seminars.

BOT 899    Research Project                        6 Credits   
A research project in the relevant area of specialization which must be defended before a panel of external and internal examiners.

LIST OF ADDITIONAL COURSE(S) NOT IN THE NUC BMAS   

S/No.    Course code            Course Title                 Credit Units
1.    SCI 811        Issues in Biological Warfare                2
2.    BOT 835        Ecological Plant Physiology                2
3.    BOT 837        Plant Metabolism                        3
4.    BOT 846        Phytotherapy                        2
                       


PGD BIOTECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM

Course Code        Course Title                          Units

PGDBT 601        Research Methodology and Scientific Writing        4
PGDBT 602        Guided Seminar in Biotechnology                3
PGDBT 603        Introductory Biotechnology                    3
PGDBT 604        Fundamentals of Cell and Developmental Biology        3
PGDBT 605        Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics                3
PGDBT 606        Metabolism of Fuel Compounds                3
PGDBT 607        Microbial Physiology                        3
PGDBT 608        Computer Application in Biotechnology            3
PGDBT 609        Bioentrepreneurship                        3
PGDBT 699        Research Project                           
PGDBT 610        Industrial/Laboratory Visit                    2

Course Description for PGDBT in Biotechnology
PGDBT 601: Research Methodology and Scientific Writing (3 Units)

Conceptual Framework of Scientific Research with particular emphasis on Biotechnology; Indices of a Good Research and Researcher; Experimental Design & Hypothesis Testing; Concept of 3Rs and Mutation of Theories;  Art of Scientific Writing; Components of Project Report;

PGDBT 602:  Guided Seminar in Biotechnology (3 Units)

This should be carried out under supervision where a candidate is given a topic either by the Department, Supervisor or that which submitted by him/her.  Such topics must be in line with recent advances in Biotechnology.  As much as possible power point facility should be provided for use during the seminar./  This will help the students to develop a communication skill which is essential in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge.
PGDBT 603:  Introductory Biotechnology (3 Units)

Basic Definition of Biotechnology; Classification of Biotechnology; Multidisciplinary nature of Biotechnology; Role of microorganisms in the Development of Modern Biotechnology; Biochemical Pathways and Products formation in living things; Bioreactor Design and Operation; Recovery or Products from Bioreactors; Tissue Culture Techniques.

PGDBT 604:  Fundamentals of Cell and Developmental Biology   (3 Units)

Structure and Functions in Living Cells; DNA, RNA and Protein interaction in Cells; Cell Growth; Uptake and Discharge of Molecules from Cells;  Compartmentalization in Eukaryotic Cells Functions of Biological membranes; Membrane Models; Protein-Membrane interactions; Cytoskeleton and Extracellular Matrix; Microtubules; Chromosomal Organization of DNA.

PGDBT 605:  Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics   (3 Units)

Mendelian and Molecular Genetics Compared; Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes; DNA and RNA as Genetic materials; Structure and Functions of DNA and RNA; Gene Expression; Mutation and Selection of Mutants; Genetic Exchange; Regulation of Gene Expression.




PGDBT 606:  Metabolism of Fuel Compounds   (3)
Basic Definition of Metabolism; Enzymes and their Classification; Biological Roles of Vitamins and Minerals; Generation and Utilization of Fuel Compounds; Protein Synthesis; Bioenergetics;
PGDBT 607:  Microbial Physiology    3 (Units)
Ultra Structure of a Typical Microbial ell; Functions of Cellular Components (organelles); Physiological Requirements for Microbial Growth; Physiology of Survival of Microbes in Extreme Environments; Biotechnologic Potential of Microbes in Extreme Environments; Microbial Nutrition; Nutritional Types of different bacteria in relation to their energy Metabolism and Biosynthetic Activity
PGDBT 608:   Computer Application in Biotechnology   (3 Units)

Scope and Definition of Bioinformatics; Hands-on Training in Computer Operation; Primary Structure of Proteins; Protein Sequence Analysis; DNA/RNA Sequences and Restriction Analysis; Transcriptomics; Accessing Protein and Gene Sequences fro Web Resources and their Biological Relatedness; Sequence Alignments (BLAST Operation; Phylogenetic tree.
PGDBT 609:  Bioentrepreneurship   (3 Units)

Basic Definition of Bioentrepreneurship; Living Organisms as Economic Commodities, Mushroom Farming; Biomass Technologies; Forest Biomass Resource and Uitilization; Microbial Biomass Propagation for Use as Single Cell Proteins (SCP); Starter Cultures; Aerosols for Environmental Clean-up; Substrates for Biofuels Production.
PGDBT 699:    Research Project
A research project in the relevant area of specialization must be written and presented by the students before a panel of internal examiners

PGDBT 610:  Industrial/Laboratory Visit (3 Units)
Students are expected to make a visit to standard Biotech Labs situated in different of Nigeria (NADBA, SHESTCO, FIIRO, CBRT, IITA etc).  This is aimed at exposing them to the realities of Biotechnology Application.  This trip is to be guided by the Programme Coordinator or any other staff assigned by the Head of Department.