A brief history of the development of the Programme /sub-dicipline/Discipline

to be accredited.

When the University started in 1962, the degree Programme offered by the department was
in the form of a three-year combined Honours degree Programme s with each candidate
taking three suitable subjects in the first year and two main subjects plus a subsidiary subject
in the second and third years. One such combined degree structure was as follows:

1st year: Botany, Zoology, Chemistry

2nd year: Botany, Zoology, subsidiary chemistry
3rd year: Botany, Zoology, subsidiary Biochemistry

The main subject combinations were Bot/Zoo., Bot/Chem., Zoo/Chem, Bio/Geog and the
subsidiary was the third subject offered in the 1st year and/or one closely related to it. A
Biology/Education combination was also offered in the late 60s in conjunction with the
Faculty of Education. The rationale for the combined honours broad-based degree
Programme of the department was to produce graduates that would be very useful to
society, especially as science teachers in secondary and lower tertiary institutions. The
combined honours Programme was run for the first and second batches of graduates (1965
and 1966). However, due to pressure from the students and a review of the university’s
policies, single Honours degree Programme s (in the areas of Botany and Zoology) were
started in 1967. The Biology single Honours Programme was introduced later.

Since inception the fundamental philosophy and objective of the three single Honours
degree Programme s has been the provision of broad-based training as against extreme
specialization. Thus, prior to the introduction of the 4-year degree Programme, all students
irrespective of whether they were reading Botany, Biology and Zoology, had to take the
same courses in Parts I and II of the then 3-year Programme s. Only in the final year were
any specialist options allowed. This policy has been maintained in the current 4-year degree
Programme where all students irrespective of their degree option take the same courses in
the first and second years of study (i.e., 100-Level and 200-Level).

It is important to mention that the Department of Biological Sciences is one of the two
science-based departments in the university that run three undergraduate degree Programme
s (namely, B.Sc. Biology, B.Sc. Botany, and B.Sc. Zoology). The department also offers
service courses to the Faculties of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Agriculture,
Education, and some other departments of the Faculty of Science. Furthermore, the science
component of the B.Ed. and B.Sc. (Education Biology) Programme s of the Faculty of
Education depend mainly on courses offered by the Department for the science component
of those Programme s.

The B.Sc. Biology degree Programme of the department received full accreditation in the 2006
Accreditation Exercise.

Philosophy of the Programme

 The philosophy behind the B.Sc. Biology Programme is to produce graduates with a broad-
based degree, a good working knowledge in other areas of pure and applied sciences, which
will be very useful to society. It will also endow the products of the B.Sc. Biology
Programme with the ability to make valuable contributions to contemporary biological
issues of national and international interest.

This strategy will broaden the employment opportunities of our graduates as they will be
better prepared after training to establish as private entrepreneurs, or take up employment in
various organizations.

Objectives
The specific academic objectives of the B.Sc. Biology degree Programme are to:

i) To train academically sound future researchers and intellectuals in the area of

general biology, with emphasis in areas on the cutting edge of modern biology, e.g.,
Molecular biology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Cytology, Cell and Tissue Culture, and
Environmental Conservation.
ii) To contribute to discoveries and innovations in these aspects of the biological
science discipline through research.
iii) To provide expert counsel and consultancy services to national and international
organizations on issues relating to general biology.
iv) To instill qualities of self-confidence and self reliance in crops of prospective young
Nigerian biologists.

Some graduates of the Biology Programme have been known to enroll in the MBBS and
other medical and applied biology Programme s in furtherance of their carrier in the
biological sciences.
Admission Requirements:
For admission to any of the three degree Programme in the Department of Biological
Sciences, a student must satisfy the minimum University/Faculty of Science requirements of
a credit in Biology and credits in at least four other subjects including Chemistry, Physics,
English and Mathematics at the GCE ‘O’ level or SSCE. Students that have successfully
completed remedial Programme s that are approved by the University Senate and meet the
GCE “O”-Level/SSCE requirements are also offered admission.

For direct entry admission into the 200 Level of study, a prospective candidate must satisfy
the requirements stated above and in addition possess two or more G.C.E. A-Level papers
(or its equivalent), which must include Biology and Chemistry.

Details of the Contents of course Units Offered By the Department

BIOL 111 – Plant Biology:
Principal groups of plants, representative life cycles, form and function, physiology & modes of
nutrition, reproduction, growth and development (2 credit units).

BIOL 112 – Ecology:

Basic biological concepts, theories and principles of ecology, energy flow in the ecosystem, trophic
levels and biogeochemical cycles, types of habitats, simple treatment of interactions between
organisms (symbiosis), pollution and explanation of pollution terms; sanitation and sewage
treatment, conservation needs and methods of conserving natural resources, soil and its components,
effects of humans on the environment. (2 credit units).

BIOL 113 – Animal Biology:

History and scope of zoology, invertebrate and vertebrate structures, function and levels of
organization including physiology, nutrition, respiration, excretion, circulatory systems, hormones
and reproduction (2 credit units).

BIOL 114 – Introductory Evolution and Genetics:

The cell concept, ultrastructure of the cell, mitosis and meiosis. Chromosomes; genes; their
relationships and importance, Mendelian laws, explanation of key genetics terms e.g. genotype,
phenotype, heterosis/hybridity, dominance, alleles etc., concept of multiple alleles (e.g. blood
groups), sex linkages and sex linked characters, mutation (including their advantages and
disadvantages), gene expression. General importance and application of genetics in agriculture and
medicine (2 credit units).

BIOL 211 – General Ecology:

Relationships between individuals or groups within a species, and between individuals or groups of
different species (symbiosis), some aspects of applied ecology e.g. biological control, game and
rangeland management, population dynamics: growth survivorship curves, life tables, age structure,
carrying capacity and environmental resistance; the ecology of humans: resources, pollution,
population. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 112).

BIOL 212 – General Physiology:

Chemicals of life: aspects of the chemistry of organic compounds of biological importance, general
characteristics of enzymes; nutrition, digestion and absorption in animals; biological oxidation;
composition, structure, properties and functions of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.
Biosynthesis: photosynthesis and protein synthesis. Cell membrane structure and function. (3 credit
units; Prerequisites – BIOL 111, 113)

BIOL 213 – Biological techniques:

Handling and care of microscopes, hand lens; microscopic examination of marials; hand sectioning,
care and uses of biological tool kits and simple physiological apparatus; dissection guides,
biological illustrations. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – None, except 200 Level standing).

BIOL 214 – General Genetics:

Chromosomal basis of inheritance; cytoplasmic inheritance; fertilization and genetic interactions;
chemical basis of inheritance (DNA, RNA); Genetic linkage and recombination; mutation,
cytogenetic effects of radiation and chemical agents. (2 credit units, Prerequisite – BIOL 114).

BIOL 215 Biological Nomenclature and Taxonomy:

Historical background, pre-Linnean, Linnean and Darwinian, taxonomic hierarchies; species
concept, categories below species, and categories above species; biological nomenclature, new
systematics; numerical and biochemical taxonomy, keys and keying. (2 credit units, Prerequisites –
BIOL 111 and BIOL 113).

BIOL 216 Hydrobiology:

Principles of aquatic biology with particular reference to limnology, the physical properties of water
and their biological significance, thermal stratification of lakes, waves and currents and their effects
on substratum, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide and inorganic ions in freshwater, the
carbonate-bicarbonate system and pH, eutrophic and oligotrophic lakes, the chemical composition
of African lake waters, freshwater communities, factors influencing the distribution and productivity
of aquatic macrophytes, phytoplankton, benthic algae, zooplankton in freshwater, the marine,
brackish water/estuarine communities and chemical factors, colonization and succession in aquatic
ecosystems, adaptations and inter-relationships (2 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 211).

BIOL 218 Biostatistics:

Variability in biological data: continuous and discontinuous variables; Statistical sampling
procedure – observations and problems of estimation; Representation and summarization of
biological data; Frequency distribution; Measures of central tendency and dispersion; Probability
theory; Normal, binomial and Poisson distribution; t-test, F-test and chi-squared test; Analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and covariance; Principles of experimental design; Correlation; linear and
curvilinear regression; Transformation. (2 credit units; Prerequisite O-Level Maths and 200 Level
standing).

BOTY 221 – Cryptogamic Botany:

Review of the Thallophyta, Bryophyta and Pteridophyta; characteristics of the groups and their
phylogenetic relationships; the development of more advanced structures and their origin from
lower plant groups; comparative study of life histories to emphasize the differences between the
groups; some aspects of palynology. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 112).

BOTY 222 – Spermatophyta:

Review of the gymnosperms and angiosperms; similarities and differences between gymnosperms
and angiosperms, the development of the spermatophytes, and differences between the group and
cryptogams; characteristics of classes, phylogenetic relationships; comparative studies within the
group. (3 credit units, Prerequisite – BIOL 111).

ZOOL 231 – Invertebrata:

General classification of invertebrates, characteristics of the main invertebrate classes; levels of
organization, biology of some selected invertebrates of economic importance, e.g. mollusca and
arthropoda; phylogenetic relationships, evolution and adaptive biology of major invertebrate groups.
(2 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 113).

ZOOL 232 – Vertebrata:

Evolution, classification and general characteristics of the fishes (Agnatha, Chondrichthyes,
Osteichthyes) and the Tetrapods (Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia) with special reference
to taxa of 5aculates5on origin; evolutionary adaptations for terrestrial life. (2 credit units;
Prerequisite – BIOL 113).

BIOL 300 – Students’ Industrial Work Experience (SIWES)

Students spend a six-month period of attachment to gain real life practical experiences of processes,
procedures and activities in a biology-related establishment (e.g., laboratories, research institutes,
industries, etc.) (6 credit unit; Prerequisite –300 Level standing).

BIOL 311 – Field Course I:

Biological sampling techniques in local habitats; also involves visits to research institutes, industries
etc. within the locality (20-km radius of Zaria). (1 credit unit; Prerequisite – None, except 300
Level standing).

BIOL 313 – Biogeography and Soil Biology:

i) Distribution of world flora, floristic regions of the world and zoogeographic regions of the
world; comparison of tropical and temperate flora, dispersal and colonization of land by
plants and animals; island biogeography; relationships between vegetation, soil types and
climate; relationships between plant distribution and world fauna.

ii) Classification and characteristics of soils, soil analysis, plant and soil water relationships.
Soil sampling techniques in local habits; Adaptations of organisms to subterranean life. (2
credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 211 and BIOL 215).

BIOL 315 – Microbial and Molecular Biology:

Genetic studies of microorganisms; metabolic pathways, genes and chromosomes, nucleic acids,
replication, transcription and translation, gene expression and regulation, gene sequencing, protein
synthesis. (3 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 214).

BOTY 321 Algae:

A detailed account of the systematics, morphology, reproductive systems, life histories and ecology
of freshwater and marine algae, including considerations of their biological and economic
importance. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – BOTY 221).

BOTY 323 – Mycology:

A detailed account of the systematics, morphology, life cycles, and dissemination of fungi with
special reference to those of economic importance; and consideration of standard mycological
techniques. (2 credit units; prerequisite – BOTY 221).

BOTY 325 – Plant Physiology I:

Seed morphology and germination; growth patterns of plants from seed to senescence with all
metabolic activities involved; development of roots, stems and leaves; growth apices; flowering;
formation and dispersal of seeds and fruits; rhythms of growth and growth correlations; factors
affecting growth; methods of growth analysis. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 212).

BOTY 327 – Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Gymnospermae:

Study of the life cycles, morphology and anatomy of Bryophyta, Pteridophyta and Gymnospermae;
origin and evolution of vascular elements and the seed habit; characteristics of selected species of
economic or botanical importance. (3 credit units; Prerequisite – BOTY 221).

ZOOL 331 – Protozoology:

General classification and characteristics of parasitic protozoans, 6aculates6on, modes of infection,
life cycles, pathogenicity, diagnosis and control of important protozoan parasites of humans and
domestic animals. (2 credit unit; Prerequisite – ZOOL 231).

ZOOL 335 – Arthropoda and Mollusca:

i) Arthropod evolution, classification and distribution (including a synopsis of the Class
Insecta); examples to show organization of external and internal structures; ingestion,
digestion, and excretion, blood circulation, water regulation, respiration reproduction.
ii) General classification of the Mollusca; levels of 6aculates6on and comparative morphology,
anatomy, histology, physiology, zoogeography, behavior, embryology and development of
the Class Mollusca, evolution and adaptive radiation of the Mollusca in the ecosystem;
human and animal health; shell-fisheries. (3 credit units; Prerequisite – ZOOL 231).

ZOOL 337 – Comparative Animal Histology and Embryology:

A survey of comparative animal embryology including fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, and
examples of organogenesis, embryo nutrition, effects of yolk on development, placenta and its
formation, comparative embryology of starfish; amphioxus, chick and mammals, a brief review of
animal growth and its controlling mechanisms; comparative histology of animal specialized cells
and tissues and their functions. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – ZOOL 232).

BIOL 400 – Research orientation and Project:

Each final year students is required to carry out an original research project under the supervision of
an academic staff member. The findings of the research are presented by the student at a
departmental seminar. A thesis (based on the project) is prepared, bound and submitted by the
student for evaluation by the department, and is defended in a viva voce before an External
Examiner. (6 credit units; Prerequisite – None, but to be eligible to undertake this course unit, a
student who came in at the 100 Level of study must accumulate a total of 66 earned credit units, or
42 earned credit units if he/she came in at the 200 Level.)

BIOL 411 – Field Course II:

Field trips are conducted to fulfill the requirements of field ecology, hydrobiology, entomology,
plant soil relations, etc. The trips include visits to game and forest reserves and National Parks,
Research Institutions of pure and applied biology, seashores and human-made lakes, etc. (2 credit
units; Prerequisite – BIOL 311)
BIOL 412 – Principles of Plant and Animal Breeding:
Importance of plant and animals breeding, cytogenetical principles of breeding, heterosis,
inbreeding consequences, incompatibility mechanisms, sterility, breeding methods, disease and pest
resistance and their inheritance, major farm and domestic plants and animals and breeding practices
used to sustain the desired qualities in them. (3 credit units; Prerequisites BIOL 315).

BIOL 413 – Population Biology and Evolution:

Biological properties of a species; Natural selection, variations, isolation mechanisms (including
their breakdown resulting in hybridization, adaptation, origin of life, origin of species, and adaptive
radiation, Evolution of selected groups of plants and animals, including human. (3 credit units,
Prerequisites – BIOL 211, 214).

BIOL 414 – Conservation and Development of Natural Resources

Deforestation and Afforestation; principles, problems and prospects of forestry conservation
practices in Nigeria. Desertification and its control. World outlook on conservation (Biodiversity
conservation: international biodiversity conventions); management and utilization of forest
resources; plant genetic resources in breeding: seed preservation, viability and health. Food crops
and domestic animals and their wild relatives; Captive breeding in botanical and zoological gardens,
and wildlife parks and arboreta. Field gene banks. Safe movement of germplasm. Conservation of
mineral resources. (2 credit units; pre-requisite – BIOL 311).

BIOL 415 – Plant and Animal Cytogenetics:

Karyotype and identity of chromosomes, polyploidy, changes in structure of chromosomes; sex
chromosomes and sex determination; Karyotyping in humans, Polytene chromosomes, and effects
of radiation and chemical agents. Chemical mutagens, effects of radiation on biomolecules.
Radiation effects on chromosomes. (3 credit units; Prerequisites BIOL 214, 315).

BIOL 416 – Special Options: (Restricted Electives in Specialized Areas)

Students are required to take 3 credits of directed studies in any one of the areas listed below.
Availability of each area depends on the availability of staff on ground. (2 credits; Prerequisite –
None, except 400 Level standing).

Examples of options offered are:

i) Environmental pollution
ii) Biological control methods
iii) Biological Conservation and gene banks
iv) Biotechnology
v) Radiation Biology
vi) Silviculture and afforestation
vii) Horticulture
viii) Plant tissue culture
ix) Weed Biology
x) Pest Control
xi) Public Health
 xii) Human Genetics
xiii) Aquaculture
xiv) Introductory Field Ornithology
xv) Beekeeping
xvi) Immunology of insect vectors
xvii) Principles of animal production
xviii) Environmental impact assessment
xix) Introduction to bioinformatics
xx) Plant virology
xxi) Trace elements in the biofare
xxii) Insects and man
xxiii) Serological techniques in disease diagnosis

BIOL 417 – Nigerian Fauna and Flora:

Field identification and recognition of Nigerian plants and animals; Plant and animal indicators of
Nigerian biomes (i.e., association of habitats with specific plants and animals); identification of
plants through preserved herbarium specimens, identification of animals through signs left by them;
e.g footprints, trails, runways and museum specimens, Life history strategies of selected Nigerian
plants and animals; Nigeria’s protected area system. (3 credit units; Prerequisite BIOL 311, 313).

BIOL 418 – General Practical Biology/Botany/Zoology

This course unit examines students on the basis of their pooled laboratory and field practical
experiences during the entire degree Programme . (2 credit units; Prerequisite – None, except 400
Level standing).

BOTY 421 – Plant Physiology II:

Light and its effect on biological processes in plants, photoperiodism; plant tropisms and factors
controlling them; effects of temperature – vernalization; water absorption, movement of water and
minerals in plant body; transpiration and translocation; physiology of senescence and fruit ripening;
abscission and cell death. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – BIOL 212).

BOTY 422 – Plant Pathology

The concept of diseases in plants, classification of plant diseases, detailed study of common local
plant diseases, isolation and study of pathogens, Koch’s postulates, general epidemiology, plant
disease physiology, control of plant diseases, disease resistance. (2 credit units; Prerequisite –
BOTY 222).

BOTY 423 – Economic Botany

Plants of economic importance such as cotton, groundnut, cocoa, etc., their origin, distribution,
agronomic practices, breeding, diseases and their control, processing and marketing, weed biology
and control methods. Non-Timber Forest Plant Products of Nigeria (medicinal plants, spices, edible
wild fruits and vegetables) (3 credit units; Pprerequisites – BOTY 222).
BOTY 424 – Angiospermae:
Origin and evolution of angiosperms with special reference to their reproductive parts and vascular
elements; morphology and anatomy of angiosperms; comparative study of classes of angiosperms;
life histories of selected members which are of economic/botanical importance. (3 credit units;
prerequisite – BOTY 222).

BOTY 425 – Comparative Plant Anatomy

Characteristics and classifications of tissues, meristem organization, evolution of vascular tissues,
comparative wood anatomy, anatomical adaptations to specialized habitats, applied aspects of plant
anatomy. (3 credit units; Prerequisite – BOTY 221, BOTY 222).

BOTY 426- Advanced Plant Physiology:

Bud and seed dormancy, biochemistry of seed germination, chemical control of plant growth –
natural and artificial controls, the occurrence, structure and mode of action of growth regulators –
promoters, inhibitors and herbicides; Introductory ecophysiology: plant pollutants and their modes
of action. (3 credit units; Prerequisite – BOTY 421; 327).

ZOOL 431 – Applied Entomology

Insects and their allies as pests and parasites; myiasis and vectors of disease of humans, animals and
crops; Chemical pest control methods; formulations of insecticides; problems of insecticide
persistence in the environment and pesticide resistance in insects, biological control of pests,
integrated pest control methods and programs; diapause in insects as factor in their control, insect
migration and control strategy. (3 credit units; Prerequisite – ZOOL 335).

ZOOL 432 – Parasitology and Immunology

Animal associations and concepts of parasitism, physiology and ecological aspects of parasite
relationships, antagonistic and synergistic reactions, effects of parasites on host, immunity to
parasites, evolution of defense systems, mechanism for development of resistance against parasitic
infections, production of antibodies, production of antigens and antibodies, antigen-antibody
reactions, types and development of immunity against various diseases, evolution of parasites,
principles of control of parasites and parasitic diseases. (2 credit units, Prerequisites – ZOOL 331).

ZOOL 433 – Principles of Wildlife Management

General principles of ecosystem management, wildlife diseases, Principles of wildlife management.
Wildlife in Nigeria: conservation policies, problems and prospects. World wildlife resources and
their protection. (2 credit units; Prerequisite – ZOOL 336).

ZOOL 434 – Helminthology and Nematology:

General classification and characteristics of helminth parasites, studies of morphology and life
cycles, epidemiology, pathogenicity, progenesis and progenetic forms, control of trematodes and
cestodes of medical and veterinary importance. Classification and characteristics of animal and
plant parasitic nematodes, general account of nematode structure, life cycles, epidemiology,
pathology, diagnosis and control of important nematode parasites of humans and domestic animals,
agricultural importance of plant parasitic nematodes, pathological studies of these nematodes with
reference to their role as vectors of soil-borne viruses and relationships with other pathogens. (2
credit units; Prerequisite – ZOOL231).

ZOOL 435 – Neurophysiology

Co-ordinating systems; nervous and endocrine control mechanisms; basic principles involved in the
electro-chemical activities of nerve cells; simple treatment of affector and effector organs;
Endocrine glands and their origin; secretion and regulatory mechanisms; Neuroendocrine
interactions. (2 credit units; Prerequisite –BIOL 212).

ZOOL 436 – Animal Behaviour

The science of animal behaviour, historical development, glossary of ethology terms, behavioral
patterns in animals, characteristics of innate and learned behavior, the interaction of nature and
nurture, social behavior, migration and homing, biological clocks and biorhythms. (2 credit units;
Prerequisite – BIOL 211).

ZOOL 437 – Comparative Chordate Anatomy and Physiology:

Principles of homeostasis; A comparative account of physiological processes involved in nutrition,
respiration, irritability, growth, excretion and reproduction in the animal kingdom, osmotic
regulation and animal transport systems, comparative review of dysfunctions of animal hearts and
circulatory systems, arteriosclerosis, physiology of muscles, nerves and sense organs, (3 credit units;
Prerequisite – BIOL 212).

ZOOL 438 – Principles of Fisheries Management

The gross external morphology of bony and cartilaginous fishes; Basic functions of piscine organs
and major systems in fish; food and feeding habits of fishes; Age and growth determination;
fecundity; fish culture techniques e.g. monoculture, polyculture); pond construction and
management, hatchery management; fish feed formulation; induced breeding and hybridization
techniques; major fish processing techniques. (2 credits; Prerequisite – BIOL 216).