BOTANICAL SCIENCES MSC PROGRAM
GRADUATE PROFILE
An M. Sc. graduate in biology (Botanical Sciences):
- 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 (Botanical Sciences) is a two years study that includes theoretical knowledge and skills in research, conventional and modern techniques in biological sciences and biodiversity conservations and management.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A candidate should satisfy the following:
- BSc/B.Ed degree in biology and related disciplines (such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry, natural resource management.) 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)
In Amharic: ¾dÔe Te}` Ç=Ó] ue’Qèƒ ( ›ýLÉ Tßav¿KAÍ=)
- M.Sc. Degree in Biology (Botanical Sciences )
In Amharic: ¾dÔe Te}` Ç=Ó] ue’Q¨ƒ (  dÔe)
- M.Sc. Degree in Biology (Botanical Sciences)
In Amharic: ¾dÔe Te}` Ç=Ó] ue’Q¨ƒ (›=¢KAÍ=”M “ c=e‚T+¡ ²<*KAÍ=)
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.
BOTANICAL SCIENCES STREAM
A. COMPULSORY COURSES
| S.No. | Course Title | Course No. | Cr.hrs |
| 1 | Biostatistics | Biol 601 | 3 |
| 2 | Biodiversity Management | Biol 602 | 3 |
| 3 | Advanced Plant Taxonomy | Biol 621 | 2 |
| 4 | Advanced Plant Physiology | Biol 622 | 2 |
| 5 | Survey of Angiosperm Families | Biol 623 | 2 |
| 6 | Introduction to Plant Biotechnology | Biol 624 | 2 |
| 7 | Advanced Plant Ecology | Biol 625 | 3 |
| 8 | Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition | Biol 627 | 2 |
| 9 | Techniques in Molecular biology | Biol 644 | 2 |
| 10 | Scientific Paper Writing | Biol 651 | 1 |
| 11 | Seminar | Biol 652 | 1 |
| 12 | DTTP | Biol 662 | 2 |
| 13 | M.Sc. Thesis | Biol 757 | 6 (P/F) |
| Total | 31 |
B. ELECTIVE COURSES
| S.No. | Course Title | Course No. | Cr. hrs |
| 1 | Environmental Impact Assessment | Biol 604 | 2 |
| 2 | Ethnobotanical Sciences | Biol 626 | 2 |
| 3 | Pteridophytes & Gymnosperms | Biol 628 | 2 |
| 4 | Ecological Genetics | Biol 642 | 3 |
| 6 | Project Design and Research Methods | Biol 654 | 2 |
| Total | 11 |
BOTANICAL SCIENCES STREAM
Year I Semester I
| Course Title | Course No | Cr.Hr. |
| Biostatistics | Biol 601 | 3 |
| Advanced Plant Taxonomy | Biol 621 | 2 |
| Survey of Angiosperm Families | Biol 623 | 2 |
| Advanced Plant Ecology | Biol 625 | 3 |
| Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition | Biol 627 | 2 |
| Scientific Paper writing | Biol 651 | 1 |
| Total | 13 |
Year I Semester II
| Course Title | Course No | Cr.Hr. |
| Biodiversity Management | Biol 602 | 3 |
| Advanced Plant physiology | Biol 622 | 2 |
| Introduction to Plant Biotechnology | Biol 624 | 2 |
| Techniques in Molecular Biology | Biol 644 | 2 |
| Seminar | Biol 652 | 1 |
| DTTP | Biol 662 | 2 |
| Elective | Biol. | 2/3 |
| Total | 14/15 |
Year II Semester I
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. hrs |
| M. Sc Thesis | Biol.757 | 6 (P/F) |
| TOTAL | 6 |
Year II Semester II
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. hrs |
| M. Sc Thesis | Biol.757 | 6 (P/F) |
| TOTAL | 6 |