Programme Overview
Admission Requirements
Expected Learning Outcomes
Programme Course Units
Career Pathways
Programme Overview
The goal of the Master’s Programme in Microbiology is:
- To provide sound training in the basic disciplines and applied fields of microbiology.
- In addition to the acquisition of theoretical and methodological knowledge, particular emphasis is placed on scientific thinking and working skills to promote understanding of complex (micro)biological relationships
Admission Requirements
- Applicants for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology will be required to have a Bachelor’s Degree with at least second class Upper Division or a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 or its equivalent in Biological Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Education (Science) with Zoology-Botany option who have taken relevant units in Microbiology.
- Holders of a Second-Class Honours Degree Lower Division in the areas listed in 1. above or a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 on a scale of 4.00 with additional proven relevant training, or work experience/research ability evidenced by published work in refereed journals, or if in addition to the degree, they have a postgraduate qualification (certificate or diploma) in the relevant field.
Expected Learning Outcomes
After this course the student is expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate highly specialized knowledge in the fields of general and applied microbiology and ecology of microorganisms.
- Demonstrate their abilities in various fields of microbiology at the intersections of basic and applied research through their capacity to formulate and substantiate arguments scientifically and to find innovative solutions to problems
Programme Course Units
FIRST YEAR OF STUDY
SMESTER ONE
COURSE TITLE
- Advanced Research Methodology
- Bioethics and Biosafety
- Advanced Bacteriology
- Microbial physiology
- Microbial genetics
Electives I : Environmental microbiology
- Advanced Microbial Ecology
- Environmental Biotechnology and Bioremediation
Electives II : Industrial microbiology
- Advanced Microbial Ecology
- Food and Dairy Microbiology
Electives III : Medical microbiology
- Epidemiology 3
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases
SECOND SEMESTER
- Advanced virology
- Advanced Biostatistics
- Bioprocess engineering and technology
- Bioinformatics
- Microbial biochemistry
Electives I : Environmental microbiology
- Microbial Processes in Environmental Management
- Bio exploration and biomining
Elective II: Industrial Microbiology
- Bio exploration and biomining
- Applied biopharmaceutical biotechnology
Electives III: Medical microbiology
- Microbial chemotherapy
- Applied biopharmaceutical biotechnology
SECOND YEAR OF STUDY
- Proposal writing
- Research Project and Thesis Writing
Career Pathways
Upon completion, graduates can work as:
- Clinical microbiologists: They work in clinical laboratories, collaborating with healthcare teams to identify pathogens, interpret lab results, and advise on appropriate treatments.
- Research scientists: They work in a variety of settings including universities, government laboratories, and private industry. They may be involved in basic research, applied research, or product development.
- Faculty members in institutions of higher learning
- Quality control analysts: They work in industries like pharmaceuticals in ensuring product safety and quality. They monitor and analyze microbiological processes and samples to detect contamination and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Food Safety Analyst role: They ensure food safety by identifying and controlling microbial contaminants that can cause foodborne illnesses and spoilage throughout the food chain
- Biotech companies or organizations: Biotechnology companies and organizations utilize microbial expertise for various applications, including developing pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and industrial products.
- Government and Regulatory Agencies: They play a crucial role in microbiology by establishing and enforcing standards, guidelines, and regulations for various aspects of the field, including food safety, environmental protection, and public health.
Scientific writing or communication: It encompasses various forms of written communication, including laboratory reports, research articles, and review papers