PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVE
The B.Sc. programme is designed to encourage and promote the training of students in all aspects of Botany. The students are expected, at the end of their programme to be aware of their environment and appreciate the delicate balance between plant life and the existence of the Earth. Above all, it is the core goal of the Department to produce graduates who can relate to the needs of the society through their knowledge of the amazing facets of plant life and plant products.
In line with the diversification of the University programmes of the Orthodox London and Cambridge University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka’s Department of Botany has sought out ways of training the students to fit into the demands of a developing country. More and more the old spirit of white-collar job is fast phasing out and Botany has to be made relevant to the needs of the individual in particular and the nation at large.
To this extent, the course system has been planned out to give the students the broad education which would enable them to see Botany in the wider contest of science education. It is not now based on cutting the plant and studying its anatomy or memorizing as many plant names as possible, but ensuring that the role of plants in the life of the individual and the nation’s economy and existence is adequately emphasized.
SCOPE
The Department of Botany offers a 4-year programme by entrance and a 3-year programme by direct entry leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours degrees with emphasis in Botany.
In addition to the University minimum entry requirements, both categories of students (entrance and direct) are expected to obtain credit in English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics in the West African School Certificate Examination or G.C.E., O’ level or its equivalent. Direct entry students are also expected to obtain passes at principal level in the Higher School Certificate Examination or G.C.E. level or its equivalent in Chemistry and Biology or Botany or Zoology.
The programmes are designed to give an understanding of the basic principles of biological sciences and give depth in various aspects of Botany including Plant Anatomy, Plant Taxonomy, Biosystematics, Plant Morphology, Mycology, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology, Plant Ecology, Cytology and Genetics. The Department also offers courses in Plant Micro-technique and Photography, Fungus Physiology, Plant Virology, Dendrology, Economic Botany, Plant Morphogenesis, Tree Growth, Fresh Water Algology, Bryology, Embryology of Angiosperms and Palynology.
Students majoring in Botany are required to take courses in Zoology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, English, Humanities and Social Sciences and may be required to take elective courses in Physics, Geology, Zoology, Microbiology, Crop Science, Soil Science, Mathematics and Statistics. In the final year, all Botany majors are required to undertake a special independent study involving experimental investigations of relevant botanical problems.
All students of Botany (Majors and Combined degree students) are expected to participate in regular field trips and occasional excursions.
The Department also offers service courses to students of Agriculture and other interested students of other Departments or Faculties. The Department of Botany in collaboration with other departments also offers B.Sc. Combined degree programmes in Botany/Zoology; Botany/Chemistry; Biology/Education, and Botany/Biochemistry.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The student of Botany had tended to feel that his/her professional destination was either a classroom or a research station. The present programme is, therefore, to equip the students for other jobs than those previously known for Botanists.
Students graduating from Department of Botany may choose careers in teaching and/or research in colleges, universities and research institutions, government, agriculture, forestry, conservation and wild-life management, wood technology and industries, such as sugar, rubber, paper puip, fertilizer and oil (vegetables and minerals), petroleum refinery, etc.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The B. Sc. Programme of the Department is based on the following stress areas:
0 General Botany
1 Morphology and Taxonomy/Biosystematics
2 Anatomy
3 Physiology
4 Mycology
5 Genetics
6 Ecology
7 Economic Botany
8 Research/Project
W A T
