BSC DEGREE PROGRAM IN BIOLOGY
Upon completing the undergraduate study program in Biology, a graduate is supposed to acquire the following skills and knowledge:
- Critical thinking and problem- solving ability.
- Graduates will be able to solve problem by implementation of the scientific process of forming hypotheses, gathering and critically evaluating information from the literature, the use of technology etc.
- Employing experimental design in laboratory, field settings and synthesizing and analyzing information by using numerical and statistical technique.
- Graduates will be able to create their own business enterprise by applying the knowledge they will grasp from their education journey.
Scientific concepts (Knowledge)
- Proficiency in a range of basic biological concepts such as: molecular, cellular and organismal perspectives.
- Demonstrate knowledge of material and an understanding of a range of concepts and issues in those areas of Biology.
Effective communication
- Graduates will be able to engage in effective scientific communication in a professional setting, including technical writing, oral presentation and use of available technology.
Ethical responsibility
- Apply ethical practice and behavior in all aspects of biological scientific endeavors and demonstrates the ethical aspects of science, their conduct as a scientist and their conduct as a citizens.
- Respects the diversity of culture, ethnicity, religion etc. of the others.
Cultural diversity
- Graduates will be able to approach and solve biological problems critically with scientific literacy in individual and group settings and incorporate a diversity of ideas and approach.
- Interact professionally in situation with others having different background culture, education and interests.
Upon completing the undergraduate study program in Biology, a graduate should develop scientific concepts, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving ability, effective communication skills and ethical responsibility with the appreciation of cultural diversity. Specifically the graduate can:
- Use and handle basic biological lab equipment, chemicals and reagents effectively.
- Transfer basic knowledge concerning cellular biology.
- Transfer knowledge of the anatomy, morphology, physiology and adaptation of plants and animals for different environmental conditions.
- Value the economic and ecological importance of plants and animals.
- Apply botanical techniques on gardening, cultivation, collection and preservation of plant specimens.
- Categorize and classify animals based on their Phylogenetic relationships.
- Establish business enterprise on apiculture and sericulture products.
- Design and formulate insect pest and vector management strategies.
- Plan and implement sustainable management strategies in the conservation and utilization of aquatic resources.
- Design and apply aquaculture techniques in the commercial production of aquatic organisms.
- Apply microbial techniques in isolation, identification, cultivation and characterization of microorganisms used in Agriculture, Medicine, Industries, Environment and related sectors.
- Identify and systematically categorize organisms based on evolutionary relationship.
- Apply herbarium and zoological museum techniques.
- Document indigenous knowledge on conservation and utilization of natural resources.
- Enhance the capacity of national parks and environmental protection agencies.
- Apply mitigation measures on environmental changes.
- Design preventive and management measures against infectious diseases.
- Assist in immunodiagnostic research activities.
- Participate in awareness creation in HIV/AIDS and other epidemic diseases.
- Develop project proposals, conduct Biological researches and write scientific report in Agricultural, Medicinal, Industrial and related sectors.
- Apply and use molecular and biotechnological techniques in various sectors to solve societal problems.
- Apply biological field techniques and experimental design.
- Assist in experimental and practical applications of the principles in plant and animal hybridization.
- Use tissue culture and biotechnology techniques in experimental and practical applications.
- Identify different behavioral patterns displayed by animals.
- Pursue postgraduate trainings in national as well as international higher learning institutions.
- Teach biology in high schools and higher learning institutions after receiving basic pedagogical trainings.
- Provide professional service and leadership in biological disciplines, positively influence the society and serve as agent of change in matters related to biological sciences such as conservation and management of natural resources, disease control, and food security.
Program Requirements
In order to be admitted to the Undergraduate Program of the Department of Biology, a candidate must:
- Have successfully completed freshman program (First year courses); as per the admission rules and regulations of the university and ministry of Science and Higher Education or
- Have diploma in biology or other related biological disciplines from any accredited higher learning institutions.
In order to qualify for graduation, a candidate should collect the following credit hours: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 out of 4 is required for graduation. No graduation is allowed with an “F” grade in any one of the courses.
Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate will be awarded the following degree.
- In English “Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology” and
- In Amharic “የ ሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በስነ-ህይወት”.
- English
- The Biology Bachelor Program is a 4-year program divided into eight equal semesters.
Course breakdown/semester
First year Semester I
| Course Title Course Code Course Credit ECTS Communicative English language Skills I FLEn 1011 3 5 General Physics Phys 1011 3 5 General Psychology Psch 1011 3 5 Mathematics for Natural Sciences Math 1011 3 5 Critical Thinking LoCT 1011 3 5 Physical Fitness SpSc 1011 2(P/F) 3 Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn GeES 1011 3 5 Total 18 33 |
First year Semester II
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Communicative English language Skills II | FLEn 1012 | 3 | 5 |
| General Biology | Biol 1012 | 3 | 5 |
| General Chemistry | Chem 1012 | 3 | 5 |
| Social Anthropology | Anth 1012 | 2 | 3 |
| History of Ethiopia and the Horn | Hist 1012 | 3 | 5 |
| Introduction to Emerging Technologies | EmTe 1012 | 3 | 5 |
| Moral and Civic Education | MCiE 1012 | 2 | 3 |
| Total | 19 | 31 |
Second year Semester I
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Inclusiveness | Incl 2011 | 2 | 3 |
| Economics | ECON 2011 | 3 | 5 |
| Biological laboratory and field techniques | Biol 2021 | 2 | 3 |
| Cell Biology | Biol 2023 | 3 | 5 |
| Phycology | Biol 2031 | 2 | 3 |
| General Microbiology | Biol 2061 | 3 | 5 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Chem 2101 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 18 | 29 |
Second year Semester II
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Bryophytes and Pteridophytes | Biol 2032 | 2 | 3 |
| Global Trends | GlTr 2012 | 2 | 3 |
| Mycology | Biol 2062 | 2 | 3 |
| Invertebrate Zoology | Biol 2042 | 4 | 7 |
| General Entomology | Biol 2044 | 3 | 5 |
| Soil Science | Biol 2082 | 2 | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry | Chem 2102 | 3 | 5 |
| Practical Analytical Chemistry | Chem 2104 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | 31 |
Third year Semester I
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Vertebrate Zoology | Biol 3041 | 4 | 7 |
| Applied Entomology | Biol 3043 | 3 | 5 |
| Seed Plants | Biol 3031 | 3 | 5 |
| Principles of Parasitology | Biol 3061 | 3 | 5 |
| Principles of Genetics | Biol 3051 | 3 | 5 |
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | Chem 3101 | 3 | 5 |
| Practical Organic chemistry | Chem 3103 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 20 | 34 |
Third year Semester II
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Mammalian Anatomy & Physiology | Biol 3042 | 4 | 7 |
| Biochemistry | Biol 3052 | 3 | 5 |
| Introduction to Ethnobiology | Biol 3034 | 3 | 5 |
| Virology | Biol 3062 | 2 | 3 |
| Plant Anatomy and Physiology | Biol 3032 | 4 | 7 |
| Principles of Ecology | Biol 3086 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 19 | 32 |
Fourth year Semester I
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Aquatic Science and Wetland Management | Biol 4071 | 3 | 5 |
| Wild life Ecology and Management | Biol 4081 | 2 | 3 |
| Research Methods and Report Writing in Science | Biol 4023 | 2 | 3 |
| Internship | Biol 4021 | 1 | 2 |
| Applied Microbiology | Biol 4061 | 3 | 5 |
| Molecular Biology | Biol 4051 | 2 | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Biostatistics | Stat 4101 | 3 | 5 |
| Entrepreneurship | MGMT4011 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 19 | 31 |
| Course Title | Course Code | Course Credit | ECTS |
| Senior Project | Biol 4028 | 3 | 5 |
| Principles of Taxonomy | Biol 4022 | 2 | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Biotechnology | Biol 4052 | 3 | 5 |
| Introduction to Immunology | Biol 4062 | 2 | 3 |
| Conservation and management of Natural Resources | Biol 4084 | 2 | 3 |
| Fisheries and Aquaculture | Biol 4072 | 3 | 5 |
| Evolution | Biol 4056 | 2 | 3 |
| Elective I | Biol 409X | 2 | 3 |
| Total | 19 | 30 |