INTRODUCTION

Knowledge of physical and biological characteristics of animals helps in designing tools for their management and conservation.  The current undergraduate programme in the Department offers such basic courses as Ecology, Genetics, Entomology, Evolution, Behaviour, Physiology, Vertebrate Biology, Parasitology, Biometry and Aquatic Biology, in addition to more applied career-oriented courses like Public Health, Fishery Biology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Applied Entomology, Innovation and Business Plan for Biologists and Advanced Genetics.  The latter focuses largely on modern concepts of molecular biology and genetic engineering.

The programme of the Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science comprises 5 major (thematic) areas of study and a general cross-cutting area.  The thematic areas are:  Genetics, Animal Physiology and radiation Biology, Aquatic Sciences, Conservation Sciences, Biology and Management of Animal Pests and Vectors of Medical importance.  The general area consists of courses that cut across all the five thematic areas.

The Department’s thematic areas offer several options for our students to make informed choices of their future careers in the life sciences.  Furthermore, the multi-disciplinary nature of the undergraduate programme enables the graduate in Animal Biology and Conservation Science to more readily identify several areas of postgraduate programmes to pursue their careers.  The student of Animal Biology and Conservation Science will be so adequately equipped with knowledge directed towards the complex interrelationships among humans, other animals, plants, and the physical environment and how to reduce the negative anthropogenic impact.  The structure of the programmes also makes them versatile to even move to other areas of endeavour.

Students offering BSc in Animal Biology and Conservation Science as Single Subject Major are expected to take all prescribed core courses (69 credits) from Levels 100 – 400 and make up their credit units from elective courses as per the instructions given.  Students offering BSc. in Animal Biology and Conservation Science as a Combined Major are expected to take the prescribed core courses (46 credits) from Levels 100 – 400 and make up their credit units from elective courses as per the instructions given.

LEVEL 100

FIRST SEMESTER

Core

SECOND SEMESTER

Core

SINGLE MAJOR IN ANIMAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE

LEVEL 200

FIRST SEMESTER

Core

Select 6 credits from other programmes

SECOND SEMESTER

Core

Select 4 credits from other programmes

LEVEL 300

FIRST SEMESTER

Core

SECOND SEMESTER

Core

LEVEL 400

FIRST SEMESTER

Core

SECOND SEMESTER

Core

COMBINED MAJOR IN ANIMAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE

LEVEL 200

FIRST SEMESTER

Core

SECOND SEMESTER

Core

LEVEL 300

 FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

**Core

LEVEL 400

FIRST SEMESTER

Core

SECOND SEMESTER

Core

Entry Requirements
A good first degree with adequate Biology or Zoology content.

EXAMINATION

For each course, there is a 2-3 hour examination, and for each examination, candidates are normally required to answer three questions out of five.

COURSES
Courses are to be taken by all students in the first year of the MPhil degree programme, to be followed in the second year by research and thesis writing. A minimum of 24 credits to a maximum of 36 credits is required for the first year. For the second year, the requirement is 36 credits

One course credit is equivalent to one hour of lectures or three hours of practical per week per semester, or a combination of lectures and practicals based on this weighting

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

The following three areas of specialization are available:

Entomology (Insect Science)
Parasitology
Biodiversity Studies

ENTOMOLOGY (INSECT SCIENCE)

Year I