APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY MSC PROGRAM
GRADUATE PROFILE
An M. Sc. graduate in biology (Applied Microbiology):
- Instructs biology courses at higher learning institutions in his/her respective field of specialization.
- Identifies pertinent community problems and seeks practical solution to the problems
- Develops and executes proposals and projects, and designs programs and interventions as part of professional team
- Provides advice and consultancy service to government, non-government and the private sectors on biological issues.
- Serves as an agent of change in matters related to applied biology fields
- Facilitates the link between higher institutions, communities, and other stakeholders towards the common goals of fighting community problems and for sustainable utilization of our natural resources
- Transforms theoretical knowledge of Applied Biology into practice in local and global contexts.
PROGRAM PROFILE
The M. Sc program in biology (Applied Microbiology) is a two years study that includes theoretical knowledge and skills in research, conventional and modern techniques in biological sciences..
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A candidate should satisfy the following:
- BSc/B.Ed degree in biology and related disciplines (environmental health, health sciences, etc.) from recognized higher learning institutions.
- Successful performance (i.e. a minimum of 50 %) in the entrance examination; undergraduate cGPA accounting for 60% and entrance examination for 40% to be eligible for entry to the program.
- Meet the general JU admission requirements.
- If the Department feels that a candidate is deficient in major area in the undergraduate program, remedial courses will be arranged.
DURATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAM
The planned duration of the studies is a minimum of two academic years with a maximum duration of three academic years. A candidate who fails to complete within the set schedule must present an acceptable justification in consultation with his/her research supervisor(s).
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
- A candidate should have a minimum course work of 24 credit hours and thesis work of 6 credit hours.
- A candidate must fulfill the following requirements of the School of Graduate studies (SGS) of Jimma University (JU) for graduation:
- A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 must be obtained in the course work
- No “D” and “F” grade(s) in any course(s) taken as well as not more than one “C” grade is tolerated.
- A candidate must get “pass” in his/her thesis work. The student thesis will be assigned only “pass” or “Fail” by the examiners and the student research advisor; and will not be rated using letter grades or as excellent, very good, good etc. If the student’s thesis is rated “Fail”, he/she may be allowed to re-correct his/her work in a maximum duration of 6 months grace period.
DEGREE NOMENCLATURE
The M. Sc programs in Biology streams are run under the Department of Biology and, thus, the degree will be given the title:
- M.Sc. Degree in Biology (Applied Microbiology)
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- M.Sc. Degree in Biology (Botanical Sciences )
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- M.Sc. Degree in Biology (Ecological and Systematic Zoology)
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In general, the degree nomenclature follows mentioning of M. Sc Degree in Biology with specialization indicated in parenthesis. In the future, however, the degree nomenclature will fully consider the area of specialization provided that the streams are running at Department level.
COMPULSORY AND ELECTIVE COURSES
- COMPULSORY COURSES
| S. No. | Course Title | Code | Cr.hrs. |
| 1. | Biostatistics | Biol 601 | 3 |
| 2. | Industrial Microbiology | Biol 610 | 2 |
| 3. | Fundamentals of Virology | Biol 611 | 2 |
| 4. | Microbial Physiology | Biol 612 | 3 |
| 5. | Food Microbiology | Biol 613 | 3 |
| 6. | Techniques in Microbiology | Biol 614 | 2 |
| 7. | Environmental Microbiology | Biol 615 | 3 |
| 8. | Biology of Pathogenic Microorganisms | Biol 616 | 3 |
| 9. | Applied Mycology | Biol 618 | 2 |
| 10. | Scientific Paper Writing | Biol 651 | 1 |
| 11. | Seminar | Biol 652 | 1 |
| 12. | DTTP | Biol 662 | 2 |
| 13. | Introduction to Biotechnology | Biol 741 | 2 |
| 14. | M.Sc. Thesis | Biol 757 | 6 (P/F) |
| Total | 35 |
- ELECTIVE COURSES
| S. No. | Course Title | Code | Cr.Hrs. |
| 1. | Principles of Plant Pathology | Biol 711 | 2 |
| 2. | Agricultural Microbiology | Biol 713 | 2 |
| 3. | Principles of Immunology | Biol 715 | 2 |
| 4 | Microbial Ecology | Biol 717 | 2 |
| Total | 8 |
COURSE SCHEDULE
Year I Semester I
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. hrs |
| Biostatistics | Biol. 601 | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Virology | Biol. 611 | 2 |
| Food Microbiology | Biol. 613 | 3 |
| Environmental Microbiology | Biol 615 | 3 |
| Scientific Paper Writing | Biol. 651 | 1 |
| Total | 12 |
Year I Semester II
| Course Title | Course No | Cr. hrs |
| Industrial Microbiology | Biol.610 | 2 |
| Microbial physiology | Biol 612 | 3 |
| Techniques in Microbiology | Biol. 614 | 2 |
| Biology of Pathogenic Microorganisms | Biol.616 | 3 |
| Applied Mycology | Biol 618 | 2 |
| Seminar | Biol.652 | 1 |
| DTTP | Biol.662 | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
Year II Semester I
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. hrs |
| Introduction to Biotechnology | Biol 741 | 2 |
| Elective | Biol | 2 |
| M. Sc Thesis | Biol.757 | 6 (P/F) |
| TOTAL | 10 |
Year II Semester II
| Course Title | Course No | Credit hr |
| M. Sc Thesis | Biol.757 | 6 (P/F) |
| TOTAL | 6 |