Ph.D. Zoology

Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology

Ph.D. Zoology

1. List of Academic Staff

Name	Status & Qualification	Research Interest(s)
M. K. Mustapha	Professor & Head of Department B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Fisheries and Hydrobiology
U. S. Ugbomoiko	Professor B.Sc. (AAU, Ekpoma); M.Sc. (Benin); Ph.D. (AAU, Ekpoma)	Parasitology
Gladys C. Nzeh	Professor B.Sc. (Lagos); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan)	Aquaculture and Molecular Genomics
A. T. Ande	Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Entomophagy, Medical Entomology
O. D. Owolabi	Reader B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Fisheries, Ecotoxicology
O.A. Iyiola	Reader B.Sc., M.Sc. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (Sheffield)	Animal Genetics and Molecular Biology
O. A. Oduola	Senior Lecturer B.Sc., M.Sc. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (Lagos)	Medical Entomology
Olutomi                  A Adeyemi-Ale	Senior Lecturer B.Sc. (Ed.). (OAU, Ile-Ife); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan)	Ecology                  and Environmental Biology
E. C. Amaechi	Senior Lecturer B.Sc.  (UNIZIK,  Awka);  M.Sc.,  Ph.D. (Umudike)	Parasitology
Saratu                      I. Abdulkareem	Senior Lecturer B.Sc. (ABU, Zaria); M.Sc. Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Fisheries,         Aquatic Ecotoxicology

B. Introduction

The programme is to entail integration and application of advanced zoological research for improved performance in the area of research and betterment of animal and mankind. The various options available in the program such as fisheries and hydrobiology, entomology, parasitology, cell biology and animal genetics, ecology and environmental biology are all targeted towards solving the several challenges faced by man, animals and the environment in the areas of food security, parasites and pest control, conservation, pollution, among several others.

C. Philosophy

The philosophy of the programme is to give practical education and promotes the application of Zoological concepts in solving challenges, bring innovations and responsiveness in the emerging areas of animal science such as ecotoxicology, animal biotechnology and genetics, biodiversity and ecosystem studies and monitoring, environmental management, animal bioinformatics, as well as in the traditional areas of fisheries, parasitology, entomology. The idea is to make Zoology a profession where graduates could be consulted on various aspects that deal with the issue of animals. It is also to produce quality graduates that will have impact-oriented research, publication and dissemination of knowledge and innovations to meet the changing needs of the society and for sustainable human development.

D. Aims and Objectives

The aim of the programme is to develop the spirit of research and enquiry in the students through training in current research methodologies and applications for higher manpower.

Objectives:

1. fostering, through instruction, a deeper understanding of key concepts and an increasing ability to apply fundamental ideas to new problems in the students.
2. developing students’ intellectual growth and success in the command of basic principles and ability to apply those principles aimed at achieving high degree of specialization.
3. providing for those who may have to operate in research and development situations in public or private sectors.
4. providing both short and long-term training facilities aimed at improving and upgrading the existing and potential high-level manpower, competent, skilled and creative zoologists who are capable of meeting the challenges of creating comfortable environments needed for planning, implementing and reviewing national development plans as well as improved productivity and performance in the public and private sectors.

E. Admission Requirements

1. Candidates must have at least five ‗O‘ Level Credits passes including English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics at SSCE and GCE (from WAEC, NECO and NABTEB) in not more than two sittings.
2. Candidates with Bachelor degree from an approved university must obtain a minimum of Second- Class Lower Division and 60% in the qualifying examination. Candidates must have Academic Master degree in relevant areas with a CGPA of 4.0/5.0.

F. Duration of the Programme

A full time Doctoral programme shall run for a minimum of 36 calendar months and a maximum of 60 calendar months with maximum of two extensions of 12 calendar months each.

Part-time Doctoral programme shall run for a minimum of 48 calendar months and a maximum of 72 calendar months. On the expiration of the maximum duration, a candidate may apply for extension of not more two consecutive periods of 12 calendar months after which the programme lapses.

G. Detailed Course Description

ZLY 901: Advanced Limnology 3 Credits

Introduction, Origin of lakes, Hydrologic cycle, Thermal Stratification and Lake Mixing, Physical, Chemical and Biological Limnology/Properties of Lakes, Acid rain, Pollution and Eutrophication, Climate change. 45h (T); C

ZLY 902: Advanced Aquaculture  3 Credits

Mariculture: Shellfish culture; Cage culture of commercially important marine fish species; Habitat modification; Genetic pollution; Effect of feed in marine environment; Aquaponics; Sustainability of Mariculture. 45h (T); C

ZLY 903: Advanced Molecular Biology 3 Credits

DNA cloning, gene identification and DNA libraries, Sequencing genomes, Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution, Application of recombinant DNA technology in Agriculture, Medicine and Industries. CRISPR-Cas and Genome Editing. 45h (T); C

ZLY904:  Advanced Genetics 3 Credits

Functional Genomics, Identifying the genetic basis of disease, Medical Genetics and Cancer, Developmental Genetics, Complex and Quantitative Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, DNA Forensics, Gene Therapy 45h (T); C

ZLY 905: Advanced Ecotoxicology 3 Credits

Introduction to the impacts of natural and man-made toxins /toxicants on ecological systems (air, water, soil) and their biotas, their sources, distributions, transport and fate in various hierarchies of biological organizations; with a view to carrying out accurate evaluation of ecological risk. Toxins in Nigerian ecosystems. 45h (T); C

ZLY 906: Advanced Environmental Impact Assessment 3 Credits

Definitions, aims, laws and rules for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Risk Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Cutting-edge science – latest developments in methods in EIA, Indicator species and organisms of value in environmental assessment, Essentials in EIA, Potential problems of EIA and their solutions, Cost benefits as a tool for environmental decision-making, Philosophical/ethical aspects of an EIA, Field case studies of impact assessment in Nigeria.45h (T); C

ZLY 908 Molecular Entomology 3 Credits

Principles of Insect Molecular Biology; Molecular Biological Analysis and Applications; Systematics, Behaviour, Ecology, Insecticide resistance and Transgenicity. 45h (T); C

ZLY 908: Entomological Research Techniques 3 Credits

Entomology equipment; Bioassay Techniques and Practices; Sampling Methods; Data Analyses; Report writing. 135h (P); C

ZLY 909: Advance Parasitology I 3 Credits

Detailed ecological, physiological, immunological and molecular basis of parasite-related health issues in animal and human hosts in Tropical Africa, particularly amoebiasis, trypanosomiasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis and piroplasmids. 45h (T); C

ZLY 910: Advance Parasitology II 3 Credits

Detailed ecological, physiological, immunological and molecular basis of parasite-related health issues in animal and human hosts in Africa, particularly schistosomiasis, cysticercosis, hydatidiosis, trichoctrongylidiasis and filariasis. 45h (T); C

ZLY 999: Research Project 12 Credits

Independent research project in selected areas of Zoology 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 18 credits consisting of 2 core courses (6 credits) of the candidate‘s area of specialization and the research project (12 credits) before being awarded a Ph.D. degree in Zoology.

I. Summary of graduation requirements for Ph.D. degree in Zoology

The Doctorate (Ph.D.) programme is primarily by Research (Thesis). A candidate must register and pass two courses relating to his research specialization and present two progress seminars on his research after which the candidate shall submit and defend a thesis which shall embody his original research.

Core Courses

ZLY 901(3), ZLY 902(3), ZLY 903(3) ZLY 904(3), ZLY 905 (3), ZLY 906(3) ZLY 907(3), ZLY

908(3), ZLY 909(3), ZLY 910(3) ZLY 999 (12)