UNIVERSITY OF JOS
Admission to the course is either by direct entry or through JAMB examination.
(a) Concessional Entrance Examination (JME)
Admission requirements are as per University regulations but candidates mist have at least credit level/passes or equivalent in school certificate Biology, Chemistry, Physics and mathematics and a pass in English Language which qualifications must have been obtained in not more than two sitting.
(b ) Direct Entry
Is as per University regulations but candidates must have a minimum of principal level grade C pass or higher level grade in Biology, Chemistry and Physics which qualifications must be obtained in not more than two sittings.
Students wishing to read for the above degree must register for all the compulsory 100 and 200 level courses in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and mathematics. These compulsory courses are pre-requisites for registration for Biochemistry courses, which commence at 300 levels. Owing to the inter-disciplinary nature of biochemistry there is little room for electives from 100 to 200 levels. The fourth year or 400 level courses consist of compulsory courses include seminar on selected topics and a dissertation based on a research project. The student is strongly advised to study carefully the prerequisites on each course registered for.
Student admitted through direct entry enter the course directly at the 200 level of the programme. Such candidate must however register for the General studies courses.
Examinations are conducted at the end of each course in accordance with regulations approved from time to time by the senate. To be eligible to sit for any end of course examination, candidates must be duly registered for the course and shall have a minimum attendance as decided by the senate. Every course shall be examined during the academic year for which is taken.
End of course examination shall consist of one or more of the following:
(a) Written examination comprising all or a combination of any of the following
Biochemical calculations, multiple choice/short answer and essay type questions (minimum 70%) The format may be different in 400 level examinations.
(b) Practical and continuous assessment (maximum 30%) The proportions to be applied shall be announced to the students at the beginning of each session by the Department offering a given course. The Department of Biochemistry will only decide on and announce the proportions for the biochemistry courses. The following scoring system shall be applied to each examination:-
A 70% and above
B 60 – 69%
C 50 – 59%
D 45 – 49%
E 40 – 44%
F 0 – 39%
Pass mark for each course is 40%. The examination results have to be reported to and approved by the Faculty Board and Senate.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY
The programme operates on a SEMESTER CREDIT HOUR SYSTEM. One semester credit hour represents 15 on hour lecture period 30-hour of laboratory exercise
For the three-year programme, a minimum of 78 credit hours will be needed for graduation while 104 credit hours will be the minimum for the four year programme. In effect, a student is expected to accumulate a minimum of 30 credit hours per session. A student who fails more than 12 credit hours must rectify this deficiency before proceeding to the next level of the programme. Only credits obtained at 200, 300 and 400 levels will be used in determining the class of degree to be awarded. In arriving at the final average, 20%, 30% and 50% of the best 26 credits obtained respectively at the 200, 200 and 400 levels will be used.
COURSE OUTINE
100 LEVEL COURSE
|
Course Code |
Code Title |
Credit |
Pre-requisite |
Semester |
Compulsory Course |
||||
|
CHE 101 |
General Chemistry I |
4 |
Nil |
1sr |
|
CHEM 121 |
Inorganic Chemistry I |
4 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
CHEM 131 |
Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
ZOO 102 |
Comparative Mammalian Anatomy Physiology |
4 |
Nil |
|
|
BOT 103 |
Basic Microbiology Science |
2 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
MAT 13A |
Mathematic for Biological Sciences |
2 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
PHY 101 |
Physic for Life Sciences I |
2 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
PHY 102 |
Physic for Life Sciences II |
2 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
PHY 104 |
Practical Physics |
2 |
Nil |
2nd |
|
ZOO 101 |
Morphology and Life Cycles of Animals |
2 |
Nil |
1st |
|
CS 101 |
Computer Science |
2 |
Nil |
|
EFFECTIVE |
||||
|
BIO 151 |
Basic Biotecniques and Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics |
3 |
Nil |
1st |
|
BOT 102 |
Structure and functions of Flowering plants |
3 |
Nil |
1st |
|
BIO 152 |
Basic Principles of Ecology |
2 |
Nil |
1st |
G.S. Courses Compulsory |
||||
|
GST101 |
Use of English |
1 |
Nil |
1st |
|
GST 102 |
Philosophy & Logic |
1 |
Nil |
1st |
|
GST 103 |
Nigerian History & Culture |
1 |
Nil |
1st |
|
GST 104 |
Science for Development |
1 |
Nil |
1st |
|
MAT 101 |
|
|
|
1st |
|
MAT 103 |
|
|
|
2nd |
200LEVEL COURSES
|
Course Code |
Course Tittle |
Credit |
Pre-requisite |
Semester |
Compulsory Courses |
||||
|
CHE 210 |
Physical Chemistry II |
2 |
CHE 101 |
1st |
|
BCH 201 |
Introductory Biochemistry |
6 |
- |
2nd |
|
CHE 222 |
Inorganic Chemistry for Biological Sciences |
2 |
CHE 121 |
1st
|
|
CHE 211 |
Organic Chemistry II |
5 |
CHE 102 |
1st |
|
CHE 214 |
Analytical Chemistry II |
3 |
CHE 101 |
2nd |
|
BOT 202 |
General Microbiology |
2 |
BOT 103 |
2nd |
|
BOT 202 |
Plant Physiology I |
3 |
CHE 131 |
2nd |
|
ZOO 203 |
Tissue and organ History |
3 |
ZOO 102/101 |
1st |
|
CS 201 |
Computer Science |
2 |
CS 101 |
|
|
GS COURSES FOR DIRECT ENTRY 4 |
||||
EFFECTIVE |
||||
|
BIO 255 |
Community Ecology |
4 |
Bio 152 |
1st |
|
BOT 203 |
Anatomy and Embryology of Flowering plant |
3 |
BIO 151 |
|
Any course(s) in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology
BCH 202 INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY: 2 Credits
The cell as reaction vessel; organizational hierarchy of biomolecules (from monomers to tissue level) as exemplified by amino acids, proteins; simple biochemical and biophysical techniques for isolation and characterizations of major cell components
Chemistry and biochemistry of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.
BCH 302 INTRODUCTORY ENZYMOLOGY AND BIOENERGETICS
2 Credits
Biochemical thermodynamics, catalysis and thermodynamic functions. Enzymes as biologic catalysts. Properties including coenzymes and cofactors. Isolation and purification techniques, mapping of active sites, kinetics. Enzymes in plant and animal environments. Principles of bioenergetics; comparative study of energy exchange mechanisms in living and non-living systems.
Redox potentials: Nerst equation
BCH 320 MEMBRANE BIOCHEMISTRY 2 Credits
BCH 321 GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3 Credits
The liver as a major site of biochemical reactions, metabolism of amino acids, purine, pyrimidines, porphyrins, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, Biologic roles of mineral and vitamin nutrients. Principles of regulation of metabolism. Metabolism of drugs and foreign compounds. Absorptiometric and other biochemical techniques for monitoring metabolic reactions.
Prerequisites: CHE 211, CHE 212, CHE 231, CHE 241
Principles of polymer building in nucleic acids, unique structural properties of purine and pyrimidine bases: base pairing, stacking and planarity, structural roles of ribose and phosphate. Structure (including experimental evidence) and properties of DNA and RNA molecules comparison of microbial and eukaryotic DNA structure. Principles of laboratory isolation of nucleic acids; Biosynthesis of DNA and RNA molecules; characteristics of DNA and RNA dehydration/maturation processes. Effect of antibiotics and carcinogens on nucleic acid biosynthesis. Biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides; the Salvage pathways.
BCH 324 PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY 2 Credits
Chemistry and biochemistry of chemical substances unique to plants: oils, carotenoids, waxes, sterols, saponins; alkalids, shikimic acids, metabolites, terpenoids, isoprenoids and flavonoids; lectins (phytohaematogglutinins). Laboratory exercises on their isolation and identification
Pre-requisites: BOT 205, CHE 231.
Analytical principles and instrumentation techniques of use in biochemistry with emphasis on the isolation and characterization of the major sub-cellular units, enzymes, proteins, etc; monitoring of metabolic pathways. In particular, analytical technical embodies in the following investigation of fatty acids in lipids using GLC; separation of amino acids by high voltage electrophoresis and PC; simple amino acid sequencing by Sanger’s method, electrophoresis of serum proteins including densitometry; isolation of enzymes from animal tissue(s) (salt fractionation; preparative ultra-centrifugation), Changes in viscosity of DMN on heating; determination of protein nitrogen by micro-kjeldahl; polography;(e.g. O2 formed in photosynthesis using oxygen electrode); glucose tolerance curves; ascorbate saturation tests; separation of substances by gel-filtration; determination of metabolic pathway using radioisotope – labeled substrate; biochemical preparations (e.g. of DNA, trebalose, etc).
These 300 level courses are designed to afford the students in one session not only a smooth transition from pure chemistry to life chemistry, but also a comprehensive overview of the frontiers of biochemistry. Through laboratory exercise based on these courses, the student learns to adapt analytical chemistry techniques to the living system. He is thus well prepared for the specialized 400 level courses.
BCH 413 ADVANCED ENZYMOLOGY 3 Credits
Tissue distribution of enzymes and value in medicine and biochemical industry. Compartmentation of metabolic enzymes within cells and sub- cellular units (e.g. mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.); its regulatory role. Bioenergetics. Special features of regulatory enzymes and their modulators. Radioisotopes in enzyme studies. Enzyme stereochemistry.
Prerequisites: BCH 321 and CHE 303
BCH 414 HORMONE BIOCHEMISTRY & METABOLIC REGULATION
2 Credits
Nature of hormones. Hormonal regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Biochemistry of nerve impulse transmission; neurotransmitters. Regulation of muscle activity. Regulation of blood coagulation
Prerequisites: BCH 321 and CHE 303
BCH 415 SEMINAR 2 Credits
Review of current trends in selected areas of pure and applied biochemistry and its presentation at a Departmental seminar.
BCH 416 Blood Biochemistry 2 Credits
Supervised laboratory investigation on a specified problem and the presentation of a formal research report/dissertation.
Membrane biogenesis and turnover. Current views on membrane subunits, pores mosaics and enzyme sensitivity. Transmembrane transport of ions, sugar and amino acid; facilitated diffusion and active transport; oxidative and phosphorylation; Chemiosmotic hypothesis.
Prerequisite: BCH 201.
The chloroplast. Biosynthesis of chlorophyll. Biosynthesis of carbohydrates by photochemical ractions; role of carotenoids. Biochemistry of food storage; enzyme activity during dormancy and fermentation of seeds. Germinating seedlings ads sources of commercial enzymes. Herbicides, nitrogen fixation and nitrogen cycle.
BCH 426 NUTRITION AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2 Credits
Nutrient and toxicant compisition of local foodstuffs. Survey of local food storage and processing techniques with special emphasis on efficiency in preservation of food quality. The elimination of naturally occurring toxicants and extent of exposure of goods to contamination. Diseases associated with toxicants in local foods. Consequences of poor storage; contamination by mycotoxins. Modern food growing and processing techniques and increases exposure of man to chemical agents: Food additives and preservatives; residues of pesticides, fertilizers and weed killers. Principles of nutrition; infant, adult and institutional feeding. Biochemical basis of nutrient deficiency disease. Biochemical assessment of nutritional status.
BCH 427 XENOBIOCHEMISTRY 2Credits
Sources of environmental pollution. Fate of foreign chemical (including drugs and food toxicants) in the body; detoxification mechanisms. Biochemical basis of drugsaction; antimetabolites, antibiotics, drugs of dependence. Factors modifying drugs action. Biochemistry of drugs design; principles of manufacture of antibiotics and pesticide
BCH 428 BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS 2 Credits
Molecular basis of genetic – DNA as gene carrier. Nature of genetic code; triplet cordon, degeneracy; colinearity etc. Anticodon of RNA, Mutation – substitution and deletion. Experimental and historical evidance for genes; role of electrophoresis. Transcription and translation of genetic code during protein biosynthesis. Techniques in microbial genetics; genetic mapping, transudation by bacteriophage recominants, replication, etc. Industrial exploitation of microbial gene expression apparatus (genetic engineering). Regulation of microbial protein biosynthesis: transcription units and operones. Genetic polymorphism in humans; multipler alleles, silent alleles, sed-linkage, multiple- loci-genes, etc. as exemplified by haemoglobin and enzymes (e.g. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, serum cholinesterase, etc. Inborn errors of metabolism. Drug idiosyncrasy.
BCH 429 COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY 4 Credits
Comparative study of the major metabolic pathways and processes (including drugs-metabolism) in organisms at different levels of evolution with special emphasis on their adaptation to be habits and environmental conditions precailing in the various life forms. Man’s explotation of such differences in industry, agriculture and medicine (e.g. brewing industry is based on the modification of anaerobic glycolytiec pathway in yeast.
Nature of antigens and antibodies. Antigens and principles of antigen tolerance. Haptens antigen determinant sites; adjuvant and their mechanism of potentiating immune response. Immunoglobulin. Molecular structure antibody (including evidence); struture-activity relationship. Techniques for antibody separation and identification (e.g. Immune electrophoresis, precipitation reaction). The clones selection theory. Biochemistry of the complement system. Blood group substances Allergy.
BCH 431 BIOCHEMISTRY OF COMPLEX BIOMOLECULES 2 Credits
2. Biology (BIO, BOT, ZOO), chemistry, physics and mathematics course contents are as set out in the approved programmes of the respective departments in the faculty of natural Sciences copies or which are readily available.
UNIVERSITY OF JOS
B.Sc. BIOCHEMISTRY PROGRAMME
BCH 202 Introduction To Biochemistry: 2 Credits
BCH 302 Introductory Enzymology And Bioenergetics
2 Credits
BCH 320 Membrane Biochemistry - 2 Credits
BCH 321 General Biochemistry 4 Credits
Prerequisites: Che 211, Che 221, Che 231, Che 241
BCH 324 Plant Biochemistry 2 Credits
Pre-Requisites: Bot 205, Che 231.
BCH 413 Advanced Enzymology 3 Credits
Prerequisites: Bch 321 And Che 303
BCH 414 Hormone Biochemistry & Metabolic Regulation
2 Credits
Prerequisites: Bch 321 And Che 303
Review Of Current Trends In Selected Areas Of Pure And Applied Biochemistry And Presentation Of It At A Lecture
Prerequisite: Bch 201.
BCH 426 Nutrition And Food Chemistry - 2 Credits
BCH 427 Xenobiochemistry - 2credits
BCH 428 Biochemical Genetics - 2 Credits
BCH 429 Comparative Biochemistry - 4 Credits
BCH 431 Biochemistry Of Complex Biomolecules
2 Credits
|
NAME |
QUALIFICATIONS |
TITLE/RANK |
|
G.I. Adoga |
B.Sc., Ph.D. |
Professor/Head of Department |
|
G.A. Ubom |
B.Sc. M.Sc, PhD FNIH |
Professor |
|
G.E. Anekwe |
Ph.D, FNISH |
Professor |
|
Z.S.C. Okoye |
B.Sc., Ph.D |
Professor |
|
O. Ladeji |
B.Sc., M.Sc. Ph.D |
Senior Research Fellow |
|
V.A. Onwuliri |
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D |
Senior Lecturer |
|
R. Aliyu |
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. |
Senior Lecturer |
|
M. Solomon |
B.Sc., M.Sc. |
Lecturer II |
|
Dabak J. Dingkwoet |
B.Sc. |
Graduate Assistant |
|
Sarah H. Sambo |
B.Sc. |
Graduate Assistant |
|
Luka Carrol |
B.Sc. |
Graduate Assistant |
|
Gazuwa S.Y. |
B.Sc |
Graduate Assistant |
|
L. Odewumi |
IMLROM, AIMLT |
Chief Technologist |
|
C.E.. Onobun |
AIST, ANIST |
Chief Technologist |
|
R. Mohammed |
C & GI, GCII, HND (NIST) |
Asst. Chief Technologist |
|
P.D. Dayak |
OND(NIST) HND (NIST) |