ECOLOGICAL AND SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY MSC PROGRAM
GRADUATE PROFILE
An M. Sc. graduate in biology (Ecological and Systematic Zoology):
- 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
PROGRAM PROFILE
The M. Sc program in biology (Ecological and Systematic Zoology) is a two years study that includes theoretical knowledge and skills in research, conventional and modern techniques in biological sciences, biodiversity conversations and wildlife management.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A candidate should satisfy the following:
- BSc/B.Ed degree in biology and related disciplines (such as natural resource management, anima; sciences.) 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.
ECOLOGICAL AND SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY STREAM
- COMPULSORY COURSES
| S. No. | Course Title | Code | Cr.hrs. |
| 1. | Bio-statistics | Biol 601 | 3 |
| 2. | Biodiversity Management | Biol 602 | 3 |
| 3. | Advanced Invertebrate Zoology | Biol 631 | 3 |
| 4. | Animal Systematic | Biol 633 | 2 |
| 5. | Advanced Animal Ecology | Biol 635 | 3 |
| 6. | Advanced Applied Entomology | Biol. 638 | 2 |
| 7. | Techniques in Molecular Biology | Biol 644 | 2 |
| 8. | Scientific Paper Writing | Biol 651 | 1 |
| 9. | Seminar | Biol 652 | 1 |
| 10. | DTTP | Biol 662 | 2 |
| 11. | M.Sc. Thesis | Biol 757 | 6 (P/F) |
Total 28
B. ELECTIVE COURSES
| S. No. | Course Title | Code | Cr.hrs. | |
| 1 | Environmental Impact Assessment | Biol 604 | 2 | |
| 2 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and | Physiology | Biol 630 | 3 |
| 3 | Wildlife Management | Biol 632 | 2 | |
| 4 | Fish and Fisheries | Biol 634 | 2 | |
| 5 | Ornithology | Biol 636 | 2 | |
| 6 | Mammalogy | Biol 637 | 2 | |
| 8 | Animal Behavior | Biol 639 | 2 | |
| 9 | Ecological Genetics | Biol 642 | 3 | |
| 11 | Project Design and Research Methods | Biol 654 | 2 | |
| Total | 20 |
ECOLOGICAL AND SYSTEMATIC ZOOLOGY STREAM
Year I Semester I
| Course Title | Course No | Cr.hrs. |
| Biostatistics | Biol 601 | 3 |
| Advanced Invertebrate Zoology | Biol 631 | 3 |
| Animal Systematics | Biol 633 | 2 |
| Advanced Animal Ecology | Biol 635 | 3 |
| Scientific Paper Writing | Biol 651 | 1 |
| Total | 12 |
Year I Semester II
| Course Title | Course No | Cr. hrs. |
| Biodiversity Management | Biol 602 | 3 |
| Advanced Applied Entomology | Biol 638 | 2 |
| Techniques in Molecular Biology | Biol 644 | 2 |
| Seminar | Biol 652 | 1 |
| DTTP | Biol 662 | 2 |
| Elective 1 | Biol | 2 |
| Elective 2 | 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 |