Postgraduate School
Department of Biochemistry Postgraduate Diploma in Biochemistry
PGD 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) | Bio membrane, 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 |
B. Introduction
The Postgraduate Diploma in Biochemistry programme is designed for Third Class Honours and Higher National Diploma (HND) degree holders in Biochemistry and related fields. It exposes the students to various areas of specialization in Biochemistry and gets them rooted in the basic knowledge required for the pursuit of higher degrees in Biochemistry.
C. Philosophy of the Programme
The programme is designed to harness potential in graduates with Third Class Honours degree and HND holders in Biochemistry and related fields to attain higher degree and pursue a career in the field of Biochemistry.
D. Aim and Objectives
The aim is to train students in the basic concepts in Biochemistry. The objectives are to:
E. Admission Requirements for PGD programmes:
The criteria for admission into the PGD programme will be as follows:
F. Duration of Postgraduate Diploma Programme
(i) The Postgraduate Diploma Programme is only full-time and shall run for a minimum duration of twelve (12) months and maximum of twenty-four (24) months.
G. Detailed Course Description
BCH 701 Biochemistry of Carbohydrate 2 Credits
Overview of Carbohydrates. Action of acids and bases on monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Identification and analysis of carbohydrates. Glycolysis in normal and diseased. Gluconeogenesis. Glycogenolysis. Tricarboxylic acid cycle. Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. 30h (T); C
BCH 702 Enzymology 2 Credits
Classification and nomenclature of enzymes. Isolation, purification and characterization of enzymes. Active site. Enzyme catalysis. Introduction to enzyme kinetics and estimation of kinetic parameters. Enzyme inhibition. Principles of enzymatic methods of analysis: Glucose oxidase, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Urease, Alkaline and Acid phosphatases, Amylase, Lactate dehydrogenase, α-glycosidase. Applications of enzymes. Structure-function relationship of vitamins and co-enzymes. 30h (T); C
BCH 703 Biochemistry of Amino Acid and Proteins 3 Credits
General importance of amino acid and proteins. Amino acid composition and sequence of proteins. Transamination, decarboxylation and oxidative deamination. Biosynthesis and catabolism of essential and non-essential amino acids. Regulation of amino acid metabolism. Degradation of amino acid for energy and gluconeogenesis. Glycogenic and ketogenic amino acids; Biosynthesis and catabolism of proteins. Biosynthesis of oligopeptides. Urea cycle. Metabolism of one carbon compound. Metabolic disorders of amino acid and protein metabolism. 30h (T);, 45h (P); C
BCH 704 Blood and Tissue Biochemistry 3 Credits
Blood production (erythropoiesis). Constituents of blood. The porphyrins. Biosynthesis of Haemoglobin. Blood electrolytes. Acid-base balance. The kidneys: production of urine. Renal function indices: urea, uric acid, creatinine and serum electrolytes. The liver. Liver function indices: serum proteins, albumin, globulin, fibrinogen. Nerves and muscle cells. Organization of endocrine glands, cellular communication by endocrine glands, control of endocrine actions. Endocrine control of metabolism, water balance, reproduction. Mechanism of action of insulin, thyroid hormones, glucagon and some sex hormones. 30h (T);, 45h (P); E
BCH 705 Lipid Biochemistry 2 Credits
Classification of lipids: complex lipids, simple lipids. Saponifiable and non-saponifiable lipids. Fatty acids: essential and non-essential. Triglycerides. Phosphoglycerides. Sphingolipids. Waxes. Terpenes and Steroids. Oxidation of fatty acids. Formation and significance of ketone bodies. Biochemistry of adipose tissue. 30h (T); C
BCH 706 Industrial Biochemistry 3 Credits
Characteristics of industrial microorganisms. Screening and strain improvement. Metabolic pathways of industrial products. Primary and secondary metabolites. Overproduction of industrially important metabolites. Continuous fermentation methods. Production of industrial chemicals: alcohols, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, antibiotics. Single cell protein production. Enzyme production and application. Brewing: beers and wines. Food fermentation. Yeast fermentation. Waste disposal. Waste utilization. Microbial metabolism. Media and air sterilization. Power requirements in fermentation vessels. Instrumentation and control of fermentation processes. Chemicals and fuels via fermentation. Production of antibiotics, cellulose and starch. 30h (T);, 45h (P); E
BCH 707 Nucleic Acids Biochemistry 2 Credits
Nucleic acids. Nomenclature of purine and pyrimidine bases. Nucleosides and nucleotides. Hydrolysis of nucleic acids. Analysis of nucleotide sequence in nucleic acids. Nucleic acid – protein complexes. Experimental evidence leading to DNA as genetic material. RNA and DNA metabolism. Genome. Human Genome Project.30h (T); C
BCH 708 Principles of Bioenergetics and Membrane Phenomena 2 Credits
A review of the laws of thermodynamics. Free energy and free energy change. Coupled reaction. Relationship between free energy change and equilibrium constant. Exergonic and endergonic reactions. Standard free energy of the hydrolysis of ATP. Structural basis of the free energy change during hydrolysis of ATP. The transfer potential of the phosphate group ATP. Oxidation – Reductions reactions. Electrode potential and the PH electrode. Oxidative phosphorylation and the energy-coupling hypotheses. Active transport. Introduction to membranes. Structure and functions of biological membranes. Biogenesis and functions of membranes in diseased states. Membrane bioenergetics. Artificial membrane models.30h (T); E
BCH 709 General Biochemical Methods 2 Credits
Laboratory course consisting of experiments in areas of interest of academic staff. The course will expose students to current biochemical equipment and methods of research. Course will also include preparation of scientific seminars, dissertation or thesis and scientific papers. 30h (T); C
BCH 710 Seminar 2 Credits
Literature search, presentation of seminars on comprehensive literature review of selected research topics 90h (P); C
BCH 712 Food and Nutritional Biochemistry 3 Credits
Nutrients and anti-nutritional contents of foods. Nutritional review of roots, tuber, cereals, grains, legumes, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds. Essential oil. Food processing and preservation techniques and their effects on nutrient composition. Nutritional disorders, prevention and therapy. Principles of food technology. Formulation and practice of food standards; Recommended Dietary Allowance. Nutrition of the vulnerable groups. Under nutrition; Malnutrition. Food contaminants; Additives. Poison and allergy. Food quality and standards. Food legislation. 30h (T);, 45h (P); E
BCH 714 Biochemical Toxicology and Xenobiochemistry 2 Credits
Introduction to toxicology. Toxicants and classification. Administration. Absorption. Mechanism of toxicity and excretion of foreign compounds. Toxicity testing and factors affecting toxicity of compounds. Biomolecules of diagnostic importance. Free radicals and diseases. Antioxidants. Cancer and chemotherapy. Drug metabolism in adults and foetus. Drugs and intracellular control mechanisms. Pharmacogenetics. 30h (T); E
BCH 718 Reproductive and Developmental Biochemistry 2 Credits
Anatomy and physiology of the male and female systems. Menstrual cycle, ovulation. Spermatogenesis. Reproductive hormones. Disorders of male and female reproductive system. 30h (T); E
BCH 720 Environmental Biochemistry 2 Credits
Introduction to Environmental Biochemistry. Environmental pollution. General aspects of Petroleum Biochemistry and Oil spillage. Sewage and Refuse. Industrial effluents. Environmental toxicants. Water and sewage analyses. Herbicides. Pesticides. Heavy metals and radionuclides. 30h (T); E
BCH 729 Dissertation 5 Credits
Independent research in selected areas/topics of interest to the academic staff. Students will be required to perform laboratory experiments and produce written reports. 225 (P); C
H. Graduation Requirements
In order to be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Biochemistry, the candidate must pass a minimum of 30 credits which include the following:
| Courses | Credits |
| Core Courses | 20 |
| Electives | 10 |
| Total | 30 |
I. Summary
Core Courses
BCH 701(2), BCH 702(2), BCH 703(3), BCH 705(2), BCH 707(2), BCH 709(2), BCH 710(2) BCH
729(5), Total Credits = 20
Elective Courses
Minimum total number of 10 credits
BCH 704(3), BCH 706(3), BCH 708(2), BCH 712(3), BCH 714(2), BCH 718(2), BCH 720(2)
Minimum number of credits required for graduation = 30 Credits
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