DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY SENIOR ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL STAFF LIST

INTRODUCTION

Biology is the scientific study of living organisms. Biological knowledge is required in fields as diverse as Agriculture. Medicine, Town Planning, Environmental Science, Pharmacy. Space Travel. Politics, Philosophy, etc. There is hardly any area of Human endeavour which does not benefit from a biological view point.

Objectives of the Undergraduate Pro gram

The degree program in applied biology and biotechnology is intended for students whose career will be concerned with the practical application of biology with a technological bias. Applied Biology and Biotechnology has recently assumed worldwide cognizance when it was realized that it is the key to most of man’s problems. Its basic importance to social’studies and its contributions to the formulation of a philosophy of life are relevant to disease and pest control; population (human, animal plant) dynamics; food production and supply; biotechnology; environmental pollution and other scourges of the human society. Because of the broad scope implied by Applied Biology, the program is designed to give a broad based training embracing both classical, albeit fundamental biological science courses and their technological (applied) aspects. This covers subjects in physiology, aquaculture, anatomy, ecology, genetics, public health, pest and disease management. parasite logy, taxonomy and aspects of behavioral science cast against a technological background.

There is a wide range of interest areas in biology which enables persons with different backgrounds, aptitudes and temperaments to select satisfactory biological science-based careers e.g. genetic and biophysics for the mathematically inclined: taxonomy and ecology for those with a flair for outdoor activity; morphology, anatomy and cytology for those oriented towards microscopy; chemical taxonomy for the chemically disposed; micro-organisms pest and disease management for those interested in crop and animal production. These specializations come at postgraduate level, but first a fundamental knowledge of plants and animal is required. Apart from teaching and research in basic and applied areas, avenues are open in industries, where they serve as administrators in management positions. In Nigeria, opportunities for service at appropriate levels exist in the commodity research institute such as the Nigerian Institute for Oil’Palm Research, (NIFOR), near Benin, the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) in lyanomo near Benin; the Tropical Stored Products Institute in Lagos; National Root Crops Research Institute at Umudike; the Veterinary Research Institute at Vom, near Jos; the National Cereals Research Institute in Badeggi near Bida; Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) near Ibadan; the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan; the National Horticultural Research Institute, the Forestry Research Institute and the National Seed Services Organization, all in Ibadan; the various Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the river Basin Authorities, the Marine and Oceanography Institute in Lagos; and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA). Other possible employers of Applied Biology graduates are Federal Quarantine Service, Geological Survey, Oil Exploration Department of NNPC, Germplasm Collection Centers and Harbaria. Museums and Archaeology Institutes, Botanical and Zoological Gardens, parks and Reserves and in various secondary and tertiary institutions.

In the private sector our graduates will find positions in pesticide industries, large farms, agro-based industries and diagnostic laboratories. In the more advanced countries there are many more openings in industries such as pharmaceutical, petrochemical and lumber industries such as fermentation outfits (including breweries); seed companies, food and canning industries and biological supply houses.

Furthermore, prospects for self employment for biologists are quite bright. The areas include floriculture business, mushroom production, fish farming and consultancy services to ministries and various bodies utilizing biological product such as paper mills.

Code for the Designation of Course in Specialist (Core) Areas Number S peeialist (Core) Areas

• General (introductory, non specialist) Courses
• Entomology. Mycology, parasitology and pathology
• Biosystematics & Taxonomy. Cytology, Genetics & Evolution, and Anatomy
• Biochemistry & Physiology, Molecular Biology
• Aquatic Biology, Hydrobiology & Fisheries
• Biogeography, Conservation. Ecology, Environmental Biology
• Biotechnology
• Special Topics
• Seminar
• Research Proj ects & SI WES

Summary of Course Codes and Titles: Standard Degree Programme