Ph.D. Biochemistry

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

Ph.D. Biochemistry

1. List of Academic Staff

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 and Developmental 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

B. Introduction

The Ph.D. programme in Biochemistry exposes students to diverse areas of specialization of Biochemistry such as Food and Nutritional Biochemistry, Toxicology, Clinical Biochemistry, Reproductive and Developmental Biochemistry, Enzymology, Environmental Biochemistry, Membrane Biochemistry and Parasite Biochemistry. The programme caters for both M. Sc. and M.Phil./Ph.D. degree holders seeking a higher qualification in the field of Biochemistry and also equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills in each area of specialization.

C.    Philosophy of the Programme

The Ph.D. programme in Biochemistry is designed for development of high level manpower in various specializations of Biochemistry in the context of expanding knowledge globally and solving societal problems.

D.    Aim and Objectives

The aim of the programme is to develop high level manpower in various specializations of Biochemistry.

The objectives of the programme are to:

1. prepare students to carry out research in Biochemistry and to write a doctoral thesis;
2. train researchers in Biochemistry towards a high-level qualification and a high standard of competence; and
3. promote innovative lines of research that corresponds to the particular characteristics of Biochemistry.

E.  Admission Requirements

Candidates for Ph.D. admission must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Candidates must have five credit passes including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at ‗O‘ Level in not more than two sittings.
2. Candidates with Bachelor‘s degree from an approved university must obtain a minimum of second class lower division.
3. Candidates must have Academic Master degree in relevant areas with a CGPA of 4.0/5.0 or cumulative score not lower than 60% (B).
4. Candidates must demonstrate adequate intellectual capacity, maturity, effective decision making and problem-solving potentials.

F.    Duration of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programmes

• The Full-time Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme shall run for a minimum duration of thirty-six (36) months and maximum of sixty (60) months.
• The Part-time Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme shall run for a minimum duration of forty-eight (48) months and maximum of seventy-two (72) months.

G.  Detailed Course Description

BCH 901 Seminar in Nutritional Biochemistry 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in nutritional biochemistry will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); E

BCH 902 Seminar in Toxicology 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in toxicology will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); C

BCH 903 Seminar in Clinical Biochemistry 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in clinical biochemistry will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); E

BCH 904 Seminar in Molecular Biology 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in molecular biochemistry will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); C

BCH 905 Seminar in Enzymology 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in enzymology will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); E

BCH 906 Seminar in Reproductive and Developmental Biochemistry 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in reproductive and developmental biochemistry will be compiled and presented by students.135h (P); E

BCH 907 Seminar in Membrane Phenomena 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in membrane biochemistry will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); C

BCH 908 Seminar in Natural Products 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in natural products and their mechanisms of biological action will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); E

BCH 909 Seminar in Bioinformatics 3 Credits

Seminars on various topics in bioinformatics will be compiled and presented by students. 135h (P); E

BCH 999  Thesis 12 Credits

Independent research project in selected areas of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology under the supervision of an academic staff will be carried out by students. Students will be required to carry out literature survey on the topic, perform experiments and write up a thesis. The submitted thesis shall be defended before a panel of internal and external examiners. 540h (P); C

H. Graduation Requirements

A candidate must have passed a minimum of 30 credits consisting of 21 credits of core courses and 9 credits of elective courses before being awarded a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry. A candidate is entitled to a waiver of 12 credits from the Master degree Courses. The waiver will also be applicable to candidates from other recognised Universities, provided those Courses offered in those Universities are adjudged by the Postgraduate Committee to have similar content to those offered in the University of Ilorin.

I.  Summary of graduation requirements for Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry Core Courses

BCH 902(3), BCH 904(3), BCH 907(3), BCH 999 (12)        Total Credits = 21

Elective Courses

Minimum of any Three Elective Courses

BCH 901(3), BCH 903(3), BCH 905(3), BCH 906(3), BCH 908 (3), BCH 909 (3)

Minimum number of Credits from Elective Courses = 9 Minimum number of credits required for graduation = 30 Credits