MSc in Plant Biotechnology

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Objectives 
The M.Sc. program in plant biotechnology is aiming at contributing to the development of the country’s agriculture through the use of new tools and techniques in plant biotechnology.
The specific objectives of the program include:
  • To train students that are well equipped with the skill and knowledge in plant biotechnology
  • To conduct biotechnology based research that help in solving the the county’s crop production constraints
  • To generate and desseminate new technologies that contribute to the improvement of the country’s crop production system.
Entry requirements   
  • To be eligible for the M.Sc. program in plant biotechnology, students must have a Bachelor degree or equivalent in Biotechnology, Plant sciences/Crop sciences, Horticulture, Forestry,  Biology and Biochemistry,  with a minimum CGPA of 2.0, and
  • Applicants must pass written entrance examination
Graduate profile
The graduates of the M. Sc. Plant biotechnology program are expected to be:
  • equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical  skills of plant biotechnology
  • capable to carry out both basic and applied research in the area of plant biotechnology in academic and/or industry
  • able to teach plant biotechnology course at an undergraduate level and give short term training
  • work as agents in transferring plant biotechnology knowledge and skill and contribute to the developments and wider application of the technology in the country
  • able to work as consultants and entrepreneurs 
Graduation requirement
To be eligible for graduation:
  • A student must take a minimum of 24 credit hours course work
  • A student must score a CGPA of 3.0, with a maximum of one course with a C grade,
  • A student must complete his/her M.Sc. research work successfully

Degree nomenclature: Master of Science Degree in Plant biotechnology

Course Breakdown: Plant biotechnology (M.Sc)
Year- I semester- I
Course code
 Course Title

 Credit hours
PLBT 501
Principles of Genetics

3 (3+0)
PLBT 511
Molecular Genetics                                             

3  (2+1)
PLBT 521
Biochemistry

3 (2+1)

PLBT 531

Biostatistics

3 (3+0)

PLBT 541

Techniques in Microbiology & plant-microbe interactions                                                             

2 (1+1)

 

Elective 1

2 (2+0)

 

 Total

14 (16)

 Year- I semester- II                                                                            

Course code

 Course  Title

Credit hours

PLBT 502

Plant Tissue Culture

3 (2+1)

PLBT 512

Genetic Engineering

3 (2+1)

PLBT 522

Molecular Markers & their Applications                                                               

2 (1+1)

PLBR 532

Advanced Plant Breeding                                                                     

3 (2+1)

PLBT 542

 Bioinformatics

2 (1+1)

 

Elective 2

2 (2+0)

 

 

 

 

 Total

13 (15)

E* = elective

Year- II semester- I                                                                            

 Course code

 Course  Title

Credit hours

CPTP 582

CBTP

2 (0+2)

PLBT 601

Current topics in plant biotechnology

1(0+1)

PLBT 611

Thesis research

6(0+6)

   

 Total

10

Year-II semester- II                                                                        

Course No

 Course  Title

Credit hours

PLBT 611

Thesis research (continued)

 

Elective courses

Course No

 Course  Title

Credit hours

BLBT 552

Applications of biotechnology in medicine, industry, and environment

2 (2+0)

MBA 612

Entrepreneurship

2 (2+0)

BLBT 572

Biosafety & Intellectual Property Rights

2 (2+0)