Postgraduate School
Master of Science in Biochemistry
M.Sc. Biochemistry
| Name | Status and Qualification | Research Interest |
| J. O. Adebayo | Professor & Head of Department B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Clinical Biochemistry, Toxicology, Malaria Research |
| Elizabeth A. Balogun | Professor B.Sc., M.Sc. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Toxicology, Medical Biochemistry, Phytomedicine |
| Sylvia O. Malomo | Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan) | Membrane Biochemistry, Toxicology, Enzymology |
| Adenike T. Oladiji | Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Nutritional Biochemistry |
| M. T. Yakubu | Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Toxicology, Reproductive and Developmental Biochemistry, Phytomedicine |
| R. O. Arise | Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Enzymology, Toxicology, Drug Development |
| Faoziyat A. Sulaiman | Reader B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Parasite Biochemistry, Molecular Biology |
| A. Igunnu | Reader B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Enzymology, Clinical Biochemistry |
| M.O. Nafiu | Reader B.Sc. (BUK, Kano); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Toxicology, Phytomedicine, Drug Discovery |
| M.O. Salawu | Reader B.Sc., M.Sc. (Lagos); Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Protein Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Invertebrate Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry |
| L. A. Quadri | Senior Lecturer B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Phytomedicine, Reproductive Biochemistry, Biochemical Toxicology |
| Rukayat A. Oyegoke | Senior Lecturer B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Toxicology, Phytomedicine, Food and Nutritional Biochemistry, Biochemistry of Gastroenterogical Diseases |
| Hamdalat F. Muritala | Senior Lecturer B.Sc. (Ilorin); M.Sc.(Ibadan); Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Biomembranes, Enzymology |
| Omolola Soji-Omoniwa | Lecturer I B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Functional Foods, Phytomedicine, Toxicology |
| Fatimah A. Abubakar | Lecturer I B. Tech. (FUT, Minna); M.Sc. (Ilorin); M.Phil. (LAUTECH, Ogbomoso); Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Phytomedicine, Malaria Research, Environmental Biochemistry |
| O. K. Bello | Lecturer I B.Sc. (Ilorin); M.Sc.(Ibadan); Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Nutritional Biochemistry, Industrial Biochemistry |
I. Introduction
This is a programme designed mainly to provide a highly intensive training for graduates of Biochemistry from any recognised University with a minimum of Second Class (Honours) Lower Division for the advancement of knowledge in the chosen field of Biochemistry.
C. Philosophy of the Programme
The philosophy of the programme is graduates of Biochemistry to be able to pursue in-dept knowledge of the subject and to give required exposure to the extent of self-realization and to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the nation.
D. Aim and Objectives
The aim is to produce students with adequate knowledge and skill base from which can be used for further studies in specialized areas of Biochemistry.
The objectives are to:
E. Admission Requirements
F. Duration of Academic Master Degree Programmes
G. Detailed Course Description
BCH 801 Advanced Metabolism and Control 2 Credits
Review of intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Recent advances in these areas. Regulations of metabolism; enzymatic and hormonal. Neurochemistry and neurological disorders 30h (T); C
BCH 802 Advanced Enzymology 2 Credits
Classification and nomenclature of enzymes. Isolation and purification of enzymes. Specificity of enzymes action. Kinetics of single substrate enzyme catalysed reaction. Enzyme inhibitions. Kinetics of multi-substrate enzyme-catalysed reaction. Investigations of the structures of active site of enzymes. Applications of enzyme technology; immobilized enzymes .Use of enzymes in industries, medicine, agriculture etc. Ligand binding. Kinetics of multi-binding sites, Adair‘s equation. Sigmoidal kinetics and allosteric enzymes. MWC and KNF models of allosteric regulation. Sigmoidal kinetics in the absence of cooperative binding. Kinetics of fast reactions. Structure and mechanism of catalysis. Recent Advances in enzyme Technology. 30h (T); C
BCH 804 Research Techniques in Biochemistry 3 Credits
Gradient centrifugation and ultracentrifugation, Immunochemical techniques: Radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay, etc Isotopic techniques, Electrophoresis, Chromatography: Ion- exchange chromatography, gel filtration, GC, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography etc. Absorption spectrophotometry (Principles, techniques uv, vis, fluorescence) applications to macromolecular structures. 30h (T);, 45h (P); C
BCH 805 Nutritional Biochemistry 2 Credits
Dietary essentiality of carbohydrate and lipids. Concept and biological value of proteins. Physiological function and biochemical mechanism of action of vitamins and inorganic nutrients. Metabolic interaction of nutrients. Proximate composition of foodstuff; estimation of fibre, additives, vita mins, trace minerals and amino acids. Food sensitivity and toxicology Biochemical assessment of nutritional status. Adaptive response to undernutrition. Alcohol, sugar and fibre nutrition, protein energy malnutrition (PEM). Micronutrients deficiency diseases. 30h (T); E
BCH 806 Medical Biochemistry 3 Credits
Biochemical concept of clinical state, metabolic derangement in diseased state e.g gout, cholera, cancer, anaemia, kwashiorkor. Biochemical basis of and lesion in genetic diseases e.g. sickle cell anaemia, etc. Case studies on metabolic defects e.g human haemoglobin and molecular diseases, e.g sickle cell anaemia. Glucose-6-phophate dehydrogenase deficiency. Disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms (Diabetes, plasma lipid and coronary heart disease, cholesterol partition in plasma lipoprotein). Inborn errors in metabolisms Molecular parasitology: Isolation, fractionation and culture of parasites. Comparative metabolic reactions of malarial parasite, trypanosome, and other parasites. Chemotherapy and resistance Plasma isoenzyme profile in disease state. Plasma protein and A/G ratio Liver function test Case studies on metabolic defects ;phenylketonuria, aorotic aciduria and pseudohypoparathyroidism. 30h (T);, 45h (P); E
BCH 807 Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 2 Credits
Bacterial and viral chromosomes. Bacterial plasmids. Replication, transcription and translation of prokaryotic genomes. Regulation of protein biosynthesis. Transposons as mobile genetic elements. Eukaryotic chromosome and its ultrastructural organization. DNA synthesis in eukaryotes. Biochemical aspect of cell division, cell cloning and cell fusion. Biochemistry of growth and differentiation in eukaryotes. Principle of PCR technique. Isolation and purification of RNA and DNA. Hybridization techniques. Recombinant DNA technology and proteomics applications (e.g, production of insulin, drugs etc). Microarray. Genetic engineering and its social implications. 30h (T); C
BCH 808 Advanced Membrane Biochemistry 2 Credits
Membrane structure and function. Membrane-linked phenomena; ion transport. Morphology of membranes. Membrane biogenesis. Membrane carbohydrates and cell surface specificity/antigenic projection. Ionophobic antibiotics. Membrane dynamics. Excitable membranes. Neurotransmitters. Membrane receptors and signalling/transduction. Photobiology. Photosynthesis and Calvin cycle. Recent advances in Membrane research, e.g. roles of liposomes etc. 30h (T); C
BCH 809 Biochemical Reasoning 1 Credit
Evaluation and design of experimental biochemistry from available information and data. Analysis, interpretation and inference-drawing from biochemical research data. Application of biochemical principles to explain some phenomenon in biological systems. 15h (T); C
BCH 810 Immunochemistry 2 Credits
The immune system. Structure and functions of primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Chemistry and biological properties of immunoglobulin. Antibody diversity, antigen, and the complement system. Inflammation, macrophages, leucocytes, phagocytosis. Abnormalities in the immune system; Immuno-oncology, HIV, etc. Immunochemical techniques. 30h (T); E
BCH 811 Xenobiochemistry and Toxicology 2 Credits
Natural and environmental toxicants. Food toxicology and carcinogens. Detoxification of toxicants. Drug and selective toxicity. Microbial and insects metabolism of xenobiotics. Resistance to drugs and pesticides. Metabolism as a determinant of toxicity. Assessment of toxicity. 30h (T); E
BCH 812 Bioinformatics 2 Credits
Scripting, use of computer programme, installation of programs and navigation. Sequence BLASTING, gene sequence alignment, primer design. Phylogenetic analysis, protein alignment. Data mining. 30h (T); E
BCH 813 Industrial Biochemistry 3 Credits
The biochemical industry: an overview of manufacturing and allied industries involving biochemistry at the various operation levels (viz, R D & P, raw materials processing, production, quality control/assurance, etc). Role of biochemistry in selected manufacturing and allied industries: dairy, brewing, cosmetics, food concentrates textile, laundry, etc (use of enzymes, natural products, etc). Raw materials biochemistry: science/technology of large-scale (commercial) production of industrial enzymes, vitamins, food additives, natural products, antibiotics, etc from plants, animals and microbes for the industry; expert market, economics etc. Science/technology of food concentrates, fruit juice etc. production. Biotechnology. Industrial analytical biochemistry: quality control and assurance; the public analysts; analytical kits RD&P. 30h (T);, 45h (P); E
BCH 815 Seminar 2 Credits
A seminar shall be written following extensive literature review on a current topic approved by the supervisor. 90h (P); C
BCH 816 Reproductive and Developmental Biochemistry 2 Credits
Anatomy and Physiologic overview of male and female reproductive systems. Male and female sexual behaviours. Male and female sexual dysfunction. Semen analysis and clinical applications. Biochemistry of fertilization, embryogenesis and development, Reproductive Dysfunction and Developmental Disorders, Abortifacient, Contraceptives, Aphrodisiacs, Infertility. 30h (T); E
BCH 818 Environmental Biochemistry 2 Credits
Identification and control of environmental hazards. Treatment and utilization of industrial effluents. Municipal and industrial waste management. Environmental pollution and monitoring techniques. Biochemical effects of chemicals in the environment. Water quality assessment. Water and wastewater treatment. Environmental pollution. Environmental law. Impacts of Biotechnology on the environment. Impacts of chemicals on land, water bodies, air, agriculture. Common environmental diseases. 30h (T); E
BCH 820 Parasite Biochemistry 2 Credits
General introduction to parasites and their hosts. Protein trafficking in parasites. Parasite surface antigens, Antigenic variation. Parasite induced-host immune response. Anti-parasitic drugs and their mechanism of action. Parasitic specific metabolic pathways. Parasite-vector molecular interaction. Isolation, fractionation and culture of parasites. Comparative metabolic reactions of malarial parasite, trypanosome and other parasites. Chemotherapy and resistance. 30h (T); E
BCH 822 Invertebrate Biochemistry 2 Credits
Overview of invertebrates, types and classification. Invertebrates as Vectors of some communicable diseases. Invertebrates as sources of proteins. Circulatory system in invertebrates. Cellular and humoral components of immunity in invertebrates. Haemolymph coagulation system in the horseshoe crab-Limulus polyphemus. Haemolymph coagulation system in land snails-Archachatina marginata. Haemolymph coagulation and phenoloxidase system in Sudanonautes africanus. Coagulation and phenoloxidase activities in the marine crab-Uca tangeri. Structure and functions of haemocyanins. Haemoglobin dtructure and function in invertebrates. Overview of defense mechanism in invertebrates. Haemolymph as blood in invertebrates. Pro-phenoloxidase and phenoloxidase cascade. Complement activation pathways in invertebrates. 30h (T); E
BCH 839 Dissertation 6 Credits
Independent research in selected areas of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the supervision of an academic staff. Students will be required to carry out literature survey on the topic, perform experiment and produce dissertation. The submitted project report shall be defended before a panel of internal and external examiners. 270h (P); C
SCI 801 Management and Entrepreneurship 2 Credits
The course will cover business environment, general management, financial management, entrepreneurship development, feasibility studies, marketing and managerial problem solving. 30h (T); C
SCI 801 Management and Entrepreneurship 2 Credits
This course should cover essentials of Spreadsheets, Internet technology, Statistical Packages, Precision and accuracy of estimates, Principles of scientific research, Concepts of Hypothesis formulation and testing, Organization of Research and Report Writing. 30h (T); C
STA 810 Statistics and Field Experimentation 3 Credits
Initial steps in the planning of experiments. Review of principles of Randomization, replication, blocking, Basic designs; CRD, RCBD and Latin Squares. Graeco-Latin square and Cross-Over Designs, Factorial Experiments. Confounding. Fractional Replication, Balanced and Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Designs. Introduction to Analysis of Variance-Bivariate case. The use of the computer for data analysis. 45h(T);
H. Graduation Requirements
In order to be awarded a Master degree in Biochemistry, the candidate must pass a minimum of 31 Credits as follows:
Courses Credits Core Courses = 27
Electives = 4
Total= 31
I. Summary
Core Courses
BCH 801(2), BCH 802(2), BCH 804(3), BCH 807(2), BCH 808(2), BCH 809(1), BCH 815(2) BCH
839(6), STA 810 (3) SCI 801(2), SCI 802 (2) Total Credits = 27
Elective Courses
Minimum of any TWO Elective Courses
BCH 805(2), BCH 806(3), BCH 810(2), BCH 811(2), BCH 812(2), BCH 813(3), BCH 816(2), BCH
818(2), BCH 820(2), BCH 822(2)
Minimum number of Credits from Elective Courses = 4 Minimum number of credits required for graduation = 31 Credits
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