MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY (MICROBIOLOGY & PARASITOLOGY

Programme overview

Microbiology, or the study of microscopic-sized organisms, has become an increasingly important field in Biology and in the larger biomedical community. Most microbes are harmless. Some of them are essential for life on Earth, e.g. through their ability to fix nitrogen. Biotechnology, which is truly the industry of our times, takes advantage of microbes for the production of a variety of complex substances, and it mass-produces natural and engineered microbes for human use. This program covers a range of diverse areas of microbiology, including virology, bacteriology, and applied microbiology. Students will learn about other major sub-fields of microbiology, including environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and microbial food preparation. This course will focus on the medical, veterinary and agricultural aspects of microbiology, as research in these aspects together with parasites has been the primary motivators in microbiology and parasitological research. Parasite studies hence form the second component of this programme. Parasites are, by definition, organisms that benefit only at the expense of their living hosts. Protozoa are usually single-celled organisms that have highly complex life cycles. Helminths (also known as parasitic worms) live inside their hosts, often in intestinal tracts, where they hijack their host's nutrient absorption pathway. Field placement training is conducted after the first semester of the coursework year and practicum report written. Students are expected to complete a written, publication-quality dissertation based in part in the second year in the program.

Program Rationale

Microbiology is an applied science, helping agriculture, health and medicine and maintenance of the environment, as well as the biotechnology industry. Microorganisms are extremely important in our everyday lives. Together with parasitology, both the micro and macro parasites and their host interaction cause disease. Parasitic diseases are among the most common chronic infections in the world's poorest persons and have a tremendous impact on global health. According to the World Health Organization parasitic diseases result in tremendous morbidity and mortality worldwide. Even with increased global awareness and increased allocation of resources from governmental and non-governmental organizations worldwide, the incidence of parasitic diseases continues to increase with the poorest nations disproportionately impacted. The control of parasitic diseases requires professionals to accurately identify the causative agents and requires them to have sufficient knowledge of parasite life cycles, transmission, and treatment in plants, animals and human beings. Without these skills and knowledge, attaining global control of parasitic diseases will continue to remain distant. The course aims to fulfil the trainees’ expectations with acquired useful knowledge used in diagnostics, for teaching and search activities.

Careers Employment Opportunities

Career prospects include but not limited to; lecturer in Biological Science at tertiary level, Research Scientist at molecular/microbiological laboratories in various Research institutes/organizations, Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Biosafety in the mushrooming Foods, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, Agricultural production and Fisheries Quality Regulatory organizations, Environmental health, Organizations that deal with provision of clean and safe water and Entrepreneurial biotechnology

Overall Aim

To build a critical mass of scientists in microbiology, parasitology for disease control, biosafety provision in food, beverage and pharmaceutical industry, and safe and quality water provision and research in academia.Specific Objectives

1. To provide graduates with knowledge and skills pertaining to microbiology and parasitology
2. To build in the graduates the spirit of professionalism that will form the basis for integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to advancing field microbiology and parasitology
3. To prepare students to conduct innovative research in the fields of microbiology and parasitology