Brief History
To restore the dignity of man is the guiding principle on which the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology (formerly Department of Zoology) was founded. This was way back in 1961. The Department was envisioned to be the first indigenous citadel of learning where zoology courses were taught to young Nigerians, Africans and global youths. The Department came out with the clear objective of giving effective training to Nigerians, Africans and global young men and women thus filling the need for the national and international production of high quality, competent and competitive Zoologist who possesses the attitude and attributes essential for the building of the nation to a desired focused direction and excellent level of intellectual development. These objectives were articulated with great clarity aimed at producing graduates who are versatile and of excellent intellectual fibre in addition to acquiring through passage within the university, a sound and impeccable moral character and a burning desire and willingness to devote themselves and their energies towards making great the Nigerian nation where excellence, truth and justice prevails. Against this background, the founding fathers in 1961 established the foundation Faculties of Science, Arts and The use of Library and Study Skill in addition to Engineering, and for the first time in Nigeria the School of General Studies. Within the Faculty of Science the Departments of Zoology, Botany, Physics and Chemistry were inaugurated as service and foundation Departments essential for man power development.
The Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology offers courses leading to the B.Sc (Hons.) Degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology. Admission is by University Matriculation Examination (UME) or by Direct-Entry. Candidates admitted by UME shall undergo a four-year degree programme while those admitted by Direct-Entry shall undertake a three-year degree programme.
Philosophy
In accordance with the Philosophy of the University, the Zoology and Environmental Biology programme is planned to promote general and practical education in Zoology and Environmental Biology. Animals’ existence is totally dependent on the abiotic and biotic variables of its environment. The knowledge of Zoology and Environmental Biology is the central theme in such emerging areas like Ecotoxicology, Animal Biotechnology, Biodiversity studies, Ecosystem monitoring, Environmental Management and Animal Bioinformatics. Environmental biology encompassing such multidisciplinary area has become an important issue in animal biodiversity prospecting and environmental management. Hence, it is imperative that the student should be properly trained to enable her play the expected pivotal roles in these emerging fields of learning. Thus to play this role, adequate knowledge of environmental biology is imperative and has been built into the curriculum.
Objectives
1. The objective of the programme is to train students to respond to the global challenges and the needs of the Nigerian society in particular, through broad training/education in the areas of General Biology, General and Applied Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology; Animal Developmental Biology, Histology, Genetics and Animal Breeding, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Animal biotechnology, Animal Ecology, Systematic and Evolutionary Zoology, Animal Behaviour, General Physiology and Environmental Biology.
2. To equip students with adequate practical knowledge that will enable them be self reliant and captains of biomedical, agro-aquacultural, petrochemical, environmental and human development industries.
3. To equip students with adequate research techniques that will enable them function as research officers in biomedical, agro-aquacultural, petrochemical and environmental sectors of both national and global economies.
4. To give adequate, effective and resourceful training needed for the national and international production of high quality, competent and competitive Zoologist that possess the attitude, character and attributes essential for building the Nigeria nation to excellent level of societal development.
Scope
Student are train in the areas of General Biology, General and Applied Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology; Animal Developmental Biology, Histology, Genetics and Animal Breeding, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Animal biotechnology, Animal Ecology, Systematic and Evolutionary Zoology, Animal Behaviour, General Physiology and Environmental Biology. Students are also required to take ancillary courses in; Chemistry, Biochemistry, Statistics and Computer Science as well as elective courses in Mathematics, Physics, Agriculture, Geology, Computer Science, Microbiology, Soil Science, Plant Science and Biotechnology and Modern Languages.
In the final year the students are expected to branch out into one of the special areas (Parasitology, Fisheries Biology, Physiology, Entomology, Environmental Biology Genetics and Animal biotechnology, and take advanced courses in these areas that offer them greater exposure and in-depth knowledge in their chosen options. In addition, the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme has been incorporated in the programme. It is scheduled for the second semester of the third year.
Areas in Zoology and Environmental Biology programme which are of particular National importance/interest include such areas as Fisheries Biology, Parasitology, Entomology (Pure and Applied), General and Comparative Animal Physiology as well as Environmental Biology, Animal Genetics, Animal biotechnology, Molecular Biology that are offered in greater detail in the third and the final year.
Zoology and Environmental Biology courses may be combined with others in relevant disciplines for the B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology/ Plant Science and Biotechnology, Zoology and Environmental Biology/ Chemistry, Zoology and Environmental Biology / Biochemistry, Zoology and Environmental Biology / Microbiology, Education/Biology, etc.
Entry Requirements
1. UME Entry Requirements: Five O level credit passes at not more than two sitting to include Biology, English Language, Mathematics or Physics and Chemistry are mandatory; at School Certificate or its equivalent are acceptable.
2. Direct-Entry Requirements: Principal level passes at HSC or GCE A/L in Biology or Zoology and one other Science subject plus a credit pass in Mathematics or Physics in School Certificate or its equivalent; Diploma in Applied Biology from recognized institutions plus 4 credit level passes including Chemistry and Biology and a credit pass in English Language in School Certificate or its equivalent. A degree in relevant fields plus UME requirements, HND and NCE credit pass are acceptable.
Job Opportunities
Graduates of Zoology and Environmental Biology can find employment in different specialized sectors of the national and global economy. Relatively few of these sectors include; medical and biomedical sector such as hospitals, clinic, public health facilities, pharmaceutical companies, diseases vectors control departments, World Health Organization and medical and biomedical research institutions etc, for professional in public health and parasitology, entomology, animal biotechnology and physiology.
In agricultural establishments, pest control and crop protection units, aquaculture facilities, Institute of Marine and Oceanographic Research, Institute of Freshwater Fish Research, Institute of Topical Agriculture, fisheries unit of Ministry of Agriculture, veterinary clinics, snailry, laboratory /small animal production facilities, Food and Agricultural Organization, Food and Drugs Administration Agencies etc for professional entomologist, fisheries scientist, aquaculturist, animal biotechnologist and hydrobiologist.
Urban and municipal waste management, sewage management, sanitation projects, pollution and Environmental Protection Agencies, environmental impact assessment facilities, wild life and games resorts, zoological parks, biodiversity prospecting projects, museums of natural history and petrochemical industries (Oil and Gas industries) etc, for ecologist, hydrobiologist, mammalogist, environmental biologist, conservationist, animal biotechnologist etc.
They can also find work in industries such as breweries, feed production, food processing and educational facilities as auxiliary teachers, and in agricultural and commercial banks as bankers.
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