M. Sc. Microbiology

Department of Microbiology Master of Science in Microbiology

M. Sc. Microbiology

List of Academics Staff

Name	Status and Qualifications	Research Interest
Bolanle K. Saliu	Reader & Ag Head of Department B.Sc. (Ilorin); M.Sc. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Food and Industrial Microbiology; Microbial Biotechnology
G.P. Oyeyiola	Professor B.Sc. (Maiduguri); M.Sc. (Ibadan); M.Phil. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (BUK, Kano)	Food Microbiology; Environmental Microbiology
O.M. Kolawole	Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Medical Microbiology; Environmental Microbiology
Patricia F. Omojasola	Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Food and Industrial Microbiology; Pharmaceutical Microbiology
Risikat N. Ahmed	Reader B.Sc. (BUK, Kano); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Pharmaceutical Microbiology; Microbial Physiology
I.O. Sule	Reader B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Environmental Microbiology
T.O. Agbabiaka	Reader B.Sc. (Benin); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Environmental Microbiology; Antimicrobials
O.O. Adebisi	Reader B.Sc., M.Sc. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (Lancaster)	Environmental Science; Microbial Biotechnology; Ecotoxicology
A. O. Udeze	Senior Lecturer B. Sc., M. Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan)	Virology
Amina M. Ahmed El-Imam	Senior Lecturer B. Sc., M. Sc. (ABU, Zaria); Ph.D. (Nottingham)	Food and Industrial Microbiology; Biotechnology
Muinat O. Kazeem	Senior Lecturer B. Sc. (Ilorin); M. Sc. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (UPM, Selangor)	Industrial Microbiology, Enzyme Bioprocess Technology; Microbial Biotechnology
A. K. Ajijolakewu	Senior Lecturer B. Sc., M. Sc. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (USM, Penang)	Industrial Microbiology; Microbial Physiology; Biotechnology
D. O. Adetitun	Senior Lecturer B. Sc., M. Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Environmental Microbiology; Hydrocarbon and Molecular

		Microbiology
Mutiat B. Odebisi- Omokanye	Senior Lecturer B. Sc., M. Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Medical Microbiology
S. A. Laba	Lecturer I B. Sc (UNAAB, Abeokuta); M. Sc. (Ibadan)	Food and Industrial Microbiology; Mycology; Biotechnology
Rahmat F. Zakariyah	Lecturer I B. Sc (UDUS, Sokoto); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Industrial Microbiology; Pharmaceutical Microbiology

B. Introduction

The Department of Microbiology teaches and trains postgraduate students in various aspects of Microbiology. The M.Sc. programme is to enable the students acquire the necessary skills that will make them qualify for a higher degree in Microbiology. These aspects include Industrial Microbiology, Medical and Veterinary Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Physiology, Plant Pathology, Mycology, and Microbial Biotechnology.

C. Philosophy of the Programme

The philosophy of the programme is to produce cultured graduands with trained minds in general while seeking to expose them to core aspects of microbiology and at the same time developing them toward specialization in an aspect of microbiology.

D. Aim and Objectives

The aim is to train students to acquire academic excellence and competence in various aspects of Microbiology for a career in research and teaching in higher institution of learning.

The objectives are to:

train students to develop confidence in appreciating and solving problems in general;
develop self confidence in handling problems with minimal or no supervision;
build students‘ capacity to fit into the appropriate level of manpower to which their qualification will allow them in various employment opportunities available to microbiologists;
produce microbiologists that can be self-employed and possibly employer of labour; and
train students to be able to progress into Ph.D. degree training without difficulty.

E. Admission Requirements

Graduates of Microbiology with a minimum of B.Sc. Second Class Lower Division
Applicants will be required to write and pass a qualifying examination (pass mark is 55%), with the exception of those with First Class and Second Class (Upper Division) of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin.
Candidates must also have a minimum of five (5) Credits in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and English language at SSCE, GCE, NABTEB or NECO, at not more than two sittings.

F. Duration of the Programme

Full Time: 18 months – 24 months

G. Detailed Course Description

MCB 801 Graduate Seminar 3 Credits

One seminar to be delivered by each student on an approved topic in Microbiology. 135h (P); C

MCB 829 Advanced Microbial Metabolism 3 Credits

Respiration in Microorganisms. Fermentative pathways. Biosynthesis of nucleic acids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Regulation of biosynthetic processes. 30h (T); 45h (P); C

MCB 830 Advanced Environmental Microbiology 3 Credits

Dynamics, distribution and survival of microbial populations in air, water and soil. Biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and chemical elements. Use of microorganisms in water purification, waste management and pollution control. Advances in biotransformation and bioremediation.30h (T); 90h (P); C

MCB 831 Advanced Microbial Genetics and Genomics 3 Credits

Principles of Gene expression, Recombinant DNA Technology. Application of Genetic Engineering in Medicine, Industry and Agriculture. Hybridization. Polymerase Chain Reaction and Microarray Techniques. Mapping of prokaryotic genomes e.g., E. coli genomes e.g., E. coli genomes libraries. SAGE DNA chip technology. Functional genomics computer analysis, proteomics. 30h (T); 45h (P); C

MCB 832 Advanced Microbial Ecology 3 Credits

Ecological relationships amongst microorganisms with special reference to mutualism, competition, synergism and parasitism. Biochemistry of intra and inter- specific interaction. Simulation of microbial environments in continuous culture. Microbiology of extreme environments. Ecology of the rhizosphere, phylloplane and coral reefs.30h (T); 45h (P); E Not to be taken with MCB 821

MCB 833 Biosynthesis and its Regulation in Microorganisms 3 Credits

Microbial photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, microbial enzymes. Biosynthesis of macromolecules, regulation of biosynthesis. Transport systems. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 834 Microbial Catabolic Processes 3 Credits

Respiratory and fermentative pathways of microorganisms 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 835 Microbial Growth 3 Credits

Nature of microbial growth, reproduction and survival. Kinetics of microbial growth in closed and open environments. Growth of mixed microbial population. Differential bodies (spores, heterocyst and multicellular structures). 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 836 Advanced Food and Dairy Microbiology 3 Credits

Food and dairy products produced by microbial fermentation. Quality control in food and dairy industries. Food spoilage and preservation. Food-borne diseases. Genetic improvement of relevant microorganisms. Single Cell Protein and Mushroom cultivation. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 837 Advanced Petroleum Microbiology 3 Credits

The carbon cycle. Genesis of fossil fuel. Microbial indicators in prospecting for oil. Oil spillage. Uses of microbes in clearing oil spillage. Microbial degradation of petroleum products.30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 838 Microbiology of Stored Products 3 Credits

Microorganisms associated with the spoilage of stored products. Effect of infection on the constituents. Protective measures against microbial attack and spoilage. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 840 Advanced Water and Sewage Microbiology 3 Credits

Microflora of water and sewage. Water sanitation and surveillance. Microbiological analysis of water and waste water. Water purification systems. Water pollution and sewage stabilization systems. Wastewater reuse. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 841 Microbial Taxonomy 3 Credits

Definition and importance of taxonomy. Characteristics employed in identification and classification. Analysis of data used in classification. Classification of microbial groups. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 842 Microbiology of Soil and Solid Wastes 3 Credits

Microbial flora of soil. Soil fertility. Plant–soil interaction. Cycles of natural elements. Characteristics and classification of solid wastes. Treatment and disposal methods. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 843 Advanced Air Microbiology 3 Credits

Microbial population of air. Techniques for detecting microbes in air. Distribution and survival of microorganisms in air. Air-borne microbes and their importance in nature. Air pollution and control. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 844 Fungal Diseases of Man and Other Animals 3 Credits

Morphological and diagnostic characters of dermatophytes and fungi causing deep mycoses. Epidemiology, clinical features and laboratory diagnosis of mycotic infections. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 845 Bacterial and Viral Diseases of Man and Other Animals 3 Credits

Selected bacterial and viral diseases of man and other animals. Laboratory diagnostic methods in bacteriology and virology. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 846 Advanced Techniques in Plant Pathology 3 Credits

Infection processes in plants. Isolation of pathogens from infected tissues. Microtomy techniques. Tissue culture. Pathogenicity. Laboratory assessment of fungicides. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 847 Advanced Immunology 3 Credits

Antibody synthesis. Antibody-antigen reactions. Hypersensitivity, transplantation and cell-mediated immune responses. Immune disorders. Immunological and serological methods. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 848 Physiology of Diseased Plants 3 Credits

Physiological implications of infection. Biochemical aspects of host–pathogen relationship. Pre-existing and infection-induced biochemical defences. Pathogen- produced toxins. Disturbance of host metabolism. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 849 Microbial Diseases of Economic Crops 3 Credits

Major microbial diseases of some economic crops e.g., cocoa, oil palm, rubber, groundnut, cowpea, sorghum and maize. Symptoms, aetiology, transmission and control. Economics of plant diseases. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 850 Research Methods in Mycology 3 Credits

Techniques for isolation, growth and maintenance of fungi in the laboratory. Preservation of macrofungi. Mushroom cultivation. Collection and presentation of mycological data.135h (P); E

MCB 851 Control of Plant Diseases 3 Credits

Methods of plant protection. Cultural practices. Use of chemicals. Biological control. Plant quarantine. Induced immunity. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 853 Fungal Ecology 3 Credits

Ecological energetics and fungal distribution. Growth survival and succession of fungi in different habitats in Nigeria. Seasonal variations in mycofloral population. Fungal associations–mycorrhiza, and zoophillic fungi. 30h (T); 45h (P); E Not to be taken with MCB 832

MCB 854 Environmental Management 3 Credits

Physical and chemical properties of water, soil and air. Quality conservation. Energy resources and management. Pollution control. Principles and practice of bioremediation. 15h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 855 Environmental Impact Assessment 3 Credits

Introduction and principles of Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental productivity, quality and inventory control. The nature of environmental impact assessment. Impact prediction, evaluation and mitigation. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 856 Advanced Microbial Fermentation 3 Credits

Definition and scope of microbial fermentation. History of industrial fermentation processes. Batch and continuous fermentation systems. Types of fermentation. Primary and Secondary metabolites. Microbial biomass. The microbial production of alcoholic drinks, vinegar and some indigenous fermented drinks and food. Genetic improvement of relevant microorganisms. 30h (T); 90h (P); C

MCB 857 Pharmaceutical Microbiology 3 Credits

Antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial agents of plant origin. Vitamins, enzymes and amino acids obtained from microbes and their pharmaceutical importance. Disinfection, sterilization and chemotherapy. Susceptibility testing. Preservation, storage and quality control of pharmaceutical products. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 858 Issues in Microbial Biotechnology 3 Credits

History of development of microbial biotechnology. Microorganisms and manipulation of their genes in food, fermentation, agriculture, medical, environmental, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Patenting in microbial biotechnology. 30h (T); 45h (P); E

MCB 859 Research Methods in Microbial Biotechnology 3 Credits

PCR and DNA fingerprinting. Vertical gel electrophoresis for proteins. Horizontal gel electrophoresis for nucleic acids. Nucleic acid and protein purification and analysis. Western blot analysis for proteins. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Transformation, transfection and cloning. Rapid amplification of DNA ends (RADE). Cell and tissue culture. Mutagenesis and DNA repair. Tran genesis. Use of antisense technology. Terminator technology. Research bioethics. 30h (T); 90h (P); E

MCB 839 Dissertation 6 Credits

Original research project on a topic approved by the Head of Department. 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 802 ICT And Research Methodology 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

H. Graduation Requirements

Minimum number of credits that a student must pass to graduate is 30. Candidates must register for all the compulsory and elective courses in their chosen option. Furthermore, candidates are advised to register for at least two elective courses relevant to their option as advised by the Departmental Postgraduate Coordinator. The pass mark in any course is a minimum of 50%.

I. Summary

1. INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY

Core courses MCB 801 (3); MCB 856 (3); MCB 829 (3); MCB 830 (3); MCB 831 (3); MCB