PHD PROGRAM IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
3. PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
A PhD trainee in biology (Applied Microbiology):
- Possesses theoretical knowledge and practical skills in microbial world
- Has microbial resources management skills
- Has scientific knowledge, skills and positive attitude in restoration and rehabilitation programs using microbes
- Has commitment to teaching, undertakes research and provides services
- Contributes to national/regional/international development in various sectors
4. GRADUATE PROFILE
A PhD graduate in biology (Applied Microbiology):
- instructs Microbiological courses at higher learning institutions in his/her respective field of specialization.
- Identifies, designs and implements research projects independently or in leadership of a research team to seek practical solutions to societal 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 microbiological issues.
- facilitates the link between higher institutions, communities, and other stakeholders towards the common goals of fighting community problems and for sustainable utilization of our microbial resources
- transforms theoretical knowledge of Applied Microbiology into practice in local and global contexts.
- Understands and exploits complex biological systems, from microbes through ecosystems, to improve the sustainability of food and energy crop production.
- Works towards development of carbon neutral food and fuel
- manages programs and protocols related to his/her particular field of specialization to a wide range of clients
- Positively influences society, and serves as an agent of change in matters related to Applied Microbiology such as Food , Soil, Industry, health, Agriculture, Environment etc
5. PROGRAM PROFILE
The PhD program in Applied Microbiology is a three to five years study that includes theoretical knowledge and skills in research, conventional and modern techniques in Applied Microbiology and wide applications of microbial resources in diverse development programmes. The training consists of both the course work and the research component.
6. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A candidate should satisfy the following:
- M. Sc degree in Microbiology and related disciplines such as biomedical, Medical Microbiology, Veterinary Microbiology, Laboratory Technology, Biotechnology, Food Science and Environmental health) from recognized higher learning institutions. If the Department feels that a candidate is deficient in major area in the M.Sc program, non-credited remedial courses will be arranged.
- Successful performance (i.e. a minimum of 50 %) in the entrance examination that encompass language test, basic computer skills, research ethics and others. The purpose of the Candidacy Examination is to ascertain whether a Student is capable of the independent and thoughtful research required for the Ph.D.
- Meet the general JU admission requirements.
- Having publication(s) in a reputable journal(s) is a plus advantage.
7. DURATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAM
The planned duration of the studies is a minimum of three years with a maximum duration of five years. A candidate who fails to complete within the set schedule must present an acceptable justification in consultation with his/her research supervisor(s).
8. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
- A candidate should have a minimum course work of 12 credit hours and thesis work of 12 credit hours. A total of 6 credit hours per semester shall normally be regarded as typical full load for a regular candidate. One credit hour of a graduate program shall be one lecture hour or three laboratory hours per week per semester. Book reviews, laboratory reports, term papers, miniprojects etc. shall normally be required for each graduate course. If there is a chance to link a candidate’s project to foreign universities, a candidate in the sandwich scheme is required to spend at least 1 ½ years at the Department. Six credit hours of the 12 required graduate courses may be completed by residence courses taken at an accredited University or institute other than JU. However, the equivalence of the courses taken abroad will be evaluated against the course list of the launched program. The doctoral dissertation shall constitute individual effort in academic pursuits to identify and analyze problems by applying sound methodology. A doctoral dissertation shall constitute the partial fulfillment of the requirement to the PhD Degree program.
- A candidate should:
- publish at least two articles in reputable journals.
- Submit at least one manusctript to a publishrer and produce evidence of submission from editorial board
- make ready a manuscript at the time of defence.
- present a compiled monograph for final open public defence of his/her doctoral dissertation
- A candidate must fulfill the following requirements of Jimma University (JU) for graduation:
- All graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of (PhD) 3.0.
- No “D”, “F” grade(s) and more than one “C” in any course(s) taken.
- A candidate must get a “pass”[>B letter grade] mark in his/her thesis work. The student’s doctoral dissertation will be graded by the two examiners (External and Internal). The average of the two examiners will constitute the final grade. Submission of the Thesis: A Student must first submit the thesis, in an acceptable form, to the Advisor, who will return it, with any comments, within six weeks. The revised Doctoral thesis may then be passed to the Advisory Committee which will then determine whether the thesis is ready for submission to the School of Graduate Studies. The thesis will be further corrected as necessary, and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. Thesis Examination and Examiners: The public oral defense of the thesis is arranged by the Dean of Graduate Studies and conducted according to School of Graduate Studies regulations. The Student’s Advisor, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, recommends to Graduate Student and Program Review Committee (GSPRC) the names of at least four thesis examiners, who are normally members of the Advisory Committee. These examiners will include the Student’s Advisor, an examiner from outside , and two other persons, one of whom should be from outside Microbiology. The internal examiners must be members of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. After approval by GSPRC and the Department Head, the names of the examiners are forwarded to the School of Graduate Studies on the “Thesis Title and Examiners” form.
10. DEGREE NOMENCLATURE
The PhD Degree in Biology (Applied Microbiology) to be awarded upon successful completion of 12 credits of course work and credited Doctoral Dissertation shall be designated as:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biology (Applied Microbiology)
In Amharic: ¾dÔe Ê¡}_+Ç=Ó] ue’-Qèƒ(›ýLÃÉ Tßav¿KAÍ=) In general, the degree nomenclature follows mentioning of PhD Degree in Biology with specialization indicated in parenthesis.
11. LIST OF COURSES
16.1 List of Courses offered to PhD in Biology (Applied Microbiology) Program
| SNo | Course title | Course code | Cr hrs |
| 1. | Immunology of Infectious Diseases | Biol 917 | 2 |
| 2. | Advanced Epidemiology | Biol 918 | 2 |
| 3. | Microbial Bioconversion of wastes | Biol 819 | 3 |
| 4. | Advances in Diagnosis and pathogen identification | Biol 910 | 2 |
| 5. | Research Project in Applied Microbiology | Biol 814 | 2 |
| 6. | Emerging Microbial Pathogens | Biol 915 | 2 |
| 7. | Advances in Genomic and Disease Control | Biol 919 | 2 |
| 8. | Biotechnology of Biofertilizers | Biol 916 | 2 |
| 9. | Advanced Topics in Applied Microbiology | Biol 910 | 1 |
| 10. | Advances in Food Microbiology | Biol 813 | 3 |
| 11. | Advanced Techniques in Soil Microbiology | Biol 818 | 3 |
| 12. | Molecular Plant-Microbes interactions | Biol 817 | 3 |
| 13. | Advanced Microbial Ecology | Biol 816 | 3 |
| 14. | Microbial Resources management | Biol 815 | 3 |
| 15. | Food Safety and Regulations | Biol 810 | 3 |
| 16. | Seminar I | Biol 811 | 1 |
| 17. | Seminar II | Biol 812 | 1 |
| 18. | Methods in Biological data analyses | Stat 801 | 2 |
| 19. | Advanced Molecular Techniques in Microbiology | Biol 911 | 2 |
| 20. | Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis | Biol 913 | 2 |
| 21. | Doctoral Dissertation | Biol 951 | 12 |
COURSE SCHEDULE
Year I Semester I
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. hrs |
| Seminar I | Biol 811 | 1 |
| Elective I | Biol. | 2/3 |
| Elective II | Biol. | 2/3 |
| Total | 5/7 |
Year I Semester II
| Course Title | Course No | Cr. hrs |
| Seminar II | Biol. 812 | 1 |
| Research Project in Applied Microbiology | Biol | 2 |
| Elective III | Biol | 2/3 |
| Total | 5/6 |
Year II Semester I
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. Hrs |
| Elective IV | Biol | 2/3 |
| Doctoral Thesis | Biol | 12 |
| TOTAL | 14/15 |
Year II Semester II
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. Hrs |
| Doctoral Thesis | Biol | 12 |
| TOTAL | 12 |
Year III Semester I
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. Hrs |
| Doctoral Thesis | Biol | 12 |
| TOTAL | 12 |
Year III Semester II
| Course Title | Course No. | Cr. Hrs |
| Doctoral Thesis | Biol | 12 |
| TOTAL | 12 |
List of Elective courses
| SNo | Course title | Course code | Cr hrs |
| 1. | Immunology of Infectious Diseases | Biol 917 | 2 |
| 2. | Advanced Epidemiology | Biol 918 | 2 |
| 3. | Microbial Bioconversion of wastes | Biol 819 | 3 |
| 4. | Advances in Diagnosis and pathogen identification | Biol 910 | 2 |
| 5. | Emerging Microbial Pathogens | Biol 915 | 2 |
| 6. | Advances in Genomic and Disease Control | Biol 919 | 2 |
| 7. | Biotechnology of Biofertilizers | Biol 916 | 2 |
| 8. | Advanced Topics in Applied Microbiology | Biol 910 | 1 |
| 9. | Advances in Food Microbiology | Biol 813 | 3 |
| 10. | Advanced Techniques in Soil Microbiology | Biol 818 | 3 |
| 11. | Molecular Plant-Microbes interactions | Biol 817 | 3 |
| 12. | Advanced Microbial Ecology | Biol 816 | 3 |
| 13. | Microbial Resources management | Biol 815 | 3 |
| 14. | Food Safety and Regulations | Biol 810 | 3 |
| 15. | Methods in Biological data analyses | Stat 801 | 2 |
| 16. | Advanced Molecular Techniques in Microbiology | Biol 911 | 2 |
| 17. | Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis | Biol 913 | 2 |