SYLLABUS FOR SCI – J152
BIOLOGY
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the series of courses, candidates should be able to:
1. Describe the fundamentals and levels of organization in living things;
2. Explain functional units of biological molecules and principles of interactions among organisms
3. Apply basic statistical concepts in biological studies
4. Describe cells as living organism and their roles in nature;
5. Explain the application of genetics in medical, industrial and biotechnological sub-sectors of economy
6. Discuss diversity, characteristics, structures, functions and taxonomy of living organisms (micro-
organisms, plants and animals)
7. Enumerate economic importance of living organisms
8. Describe the morphological and biochemical characteristics of micro-organisms;
9. Conduct laboratory and field practical in biology, botany, microbiology and zoology;
10. Highlight and explain the basic concepts of ecology
11. Explain the role of evolution in the hierarchical classification of living organism vis a vis the theories of
evolution; and
12. Define basic terminologies of genetics and state Mendelian laws of inheritance
FIRST SEMESTER COURSES
BIO 001: GENERAL BIOLOGY (3 Units)
BIO 002: MICROBIOLOGY (3 Units)
SECOND SEMESTER COURSES
BIO 003: BOTANY (3 Units)
BIO 004: ZOOLOGY (3 Units)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
BIO 001: GENERAL BIOLOGY
Specific objectives
At the end of the course, the candidates should be able to:
1. Explain living things in nature and biological molecules
2. Discuss cell as fundamental unit of living things and describe levels of organization of living things
3. Discuss biological methods and their applications (biostatistics, taxonomy and nomenclature);
4. Discuss principles of genetics, variation and heredity; and
5. Conduct laboratory and field practical in biology
Course content
S/N TOPICS SUB – TOPICS DETAILS & NOTES
1. Origin of living things The Science of Biology Definition of Biology
Branches of biology
Importance of biology
The nature of science
- Scientific methods
- Testing of hypothesis
- Data collection and analysis
Application of scientific methods in biological
experiments
Relationship between Biology & Medicine,
Agriculture, etc.
Brief history of organic molecules
Origin of Organic Molecules Brief history of organic molecules.
Origin of the First Cells Brief history of the evolution of the first cells
The Earliest Cells: Relate the living cell to the fossil
- Living
- Fossils
Basic biostatics Definition of the basic biostatics Central
tendencies tendency measurement
2. Living Things in Nature Diversity of Living Things Different kingdoms and characteristics.
and Biological
Molecules
Practical class- field observation of diversity of
living things
Biological molecules Carbohydrate, lipids, protein and nucleic acids
3. Cell organization, Cell Theory, Cell Structure and Demonstration of cell structure on microscopes.
Structure and Functions functions
Cell Organization, Forms in which Biological drawings of plant and animal cells.
cells exist Comparisons of plant and animal cells
4. Cell division, Principles Cell divisions, Mitosis in Somatic Definition, Cell cycle, Basic concepts in genetics:
of Genetics, Variations cells, Meiosis in Germ cells, Chromosome, Gene, allele, dominant, recessive,
and Heredity Principles of Genetics Heterozygous, Hybrid, genotype, phenotype etc.
Variation and Heredity
Mendel’s law of inheritance The nature of genes and chromosomes
Mendelian genetics
Practical class:
Determination of inheritance using colored seeds
e.g. beads, grains, etc.
Verifications of principles of Mendel’s law and
its deviation
Human Cell division experiment using onion root.
Inheritance, Identification of stages of meiosis,
Human Genetic Traits controlled by Multiple alleles
Disorders e.g. e.g. blood group, eye color.
sickle cell anemia, albinism. Determination of inheritance using colored seeds
Rhesus Factors, e.g. beads, grains etc.
Polyploidy, Sex- Verifications of principles of Mendel’s laws.
linked Traits;
application of
Genetics in
Agriculture,
Medicine,
Criminology, etc.
5. Systematics, Taxonomy Basis of Taxonomy Criteria for classification
and Nomenclature Rules of systematics Naming of Taxonomy hierarchy
Organisms Binominal nomenclature: Genus &
(Nomenclature) Species
Practical class:
Classification and identification
Of organisms, Highlighting
Adaptive features and their uses
6. Ecology Basic Concepts in Ecology Ecosystem, food chain, food web, nutrient
cycling, biogeochemical cycles
Biological Associations and Symbiosis, mutualism, parasitism,
Interactions commensalism, ammensalism & synergism
Ecology studies, Practical use of ecological equipment,
Types of Habitats Population study in a specific habitat
Ecology and Natural Selection. Environmental changes
Biological impacts of climate change
7. Biological Methods and Rules of Biological Drawings Standard drawing rules governing: use of pencils,
Application specimen proportions, magnification, size of
specimen
Drawing and labelling:
Diagrams must be according to length
specification,
Lines must not be woolly or broken.
Drawings must carry appropriate titles at the
correct position
Labelling must be horizontal & parallel with
ruled guidelines
Drawing must not be artistic i.e. no shading or
painting. Spelling must be correct and touched by
labelling lines.
8. Evolution Geological Times, and Mega Definition of evolution,
Geological Events, evolutionary Types of evolution,
trends in animals and plants, Application of Evolution to plants &
theories of Evolution – Animals Taxonomy.
Lamarck and Darwin
Theories of
Evolution. Evidence of evolution
from Anatomy
Embryology, Biochemistry.
9. Enzymes Properties of Enzymes, Types of enzymes & Factors affecting
Enzymes, rate of enzyme action
Mechanism of
Enzyme reaction,
Enzyme inhibition &
Enzyme Cofactors
BIO 002: MICROBIOLOGY
Specific objectives
At the end of this course, candidates should be able to:
1. Discuss history and discovery of micro-organisms
2. Discuss the different types of micro-organisms and the taxonomic groupings
3. Explain microbial cellular structures, morphology and biochemical characteristics
4. Explain microbial genetics and applications in biotechnology; and
5. Enumerate economic importance of micro-organisms.
Course content
S/N TOPICS SUB - TOPICS DETAILS & NOTES
1. History of the Spontaneous The theory of spontaneous generation of
Discovery of Generations organisms,
Microorganisms Microorganisms Conflict over spontaneous generations,
as the Cause of some The golden era of microbiology (1860 – 1910),
Diseases The germ theory of disease,
The discovery of viruses, microorganisms in
the 20th century
Practical class – introduction to basic
microbial laboratory equipment, principles of
operation and drawings
2. Types and Seven Levels of Bacteria – size, shapes, motility, unusual
Taxonomic Classification types, general methods of bacteria
Groupings of Prokaryotic Cells classification.
Microorganisms Eukaryotic Cells Fungi – yeast and mould –
Size, shape, general fungal classification
Protozoa – specific examples, motile and non-
motile types, nutrition types.
Viruses – sizes, bacteriophages, viroid, prions,
Algae – sizes, types, diatoms, sea weeds,
lichens, sexual and asexual reproduction
Archaea – general features, origin and
evolution
Practical class- aseptic techniques in
microbiology
3. Structures, Morphology and structures Structure of bacteria cells – capsule, flagella,
Morphology and of Microbial Cells, pilli and fimbriae, cell wall, plasma membrane,
Characteristics of Biochemical cytoplasm
micro organisms Characterization Cell wall of fungal cells, cytoplasm
Reproduction, Cultural characteristics of bacterial growth –
Growth Types and Phases. on solid and liquid media, forms of growth
Cultural and cellular characteristics of mould
and yeast on solid and liquid media, hyphal
and mycelial types
Biochemical characterization of bacteria and
fungi
Viruses and their structures
Reproduction and microbial growth phases
Practical class- Cultivation and identification
of bacteria from soil, water and decomposing
food
4. Microbial ecology Microbial Predation, Competition, Synergism,
Interactions with animals, Commensalism, infectious diseases, immunity,
plants and microbes spoilage of food, control of microbial activities
5. Microbial Genetic Nature of DNA, Nucleosides and nucleotides,
Nucleic Acids in Materials, types of RNA, Enzymes in DNA replication,
Information Mutation and Genetic code,
Storage and Transfer Mutagenesis Transcription and translation,
Transfer of genetic materials inn prokaryotes,
Spontaneous mutation, induced mutation,
expression of mutation.
6. Microorganisms and Biotechnological Biotechnological
their Application of Use of microorganisms in Food industry,
Application in Microorganism in Various Environment, Pharmaceuticals, Medical and
Biotechnology Fields Agricultural fields.
BIO 003: BOTANY
Specific objectives
At the end of this course, candidates should be able to:
1. Discuss general characteristics of plants
2. Explain the taxonomy of lower and higher plants
3. Discuss biodiversity and conservation of plants
4. Explain plant structures, functions and physiological processes in plants; and
5. Enumerate economic and ecological importance of plants
Course content
S/N TOPICS SUB – TOPICS DETAILS & NOTES
1. General characteristics Characteristics of lower and Classification of major plants groups (lower
and diversity of plants higher plant groups and higher plants
Divisions up to generic level
Lower plants – algae, fungi, bryophytes,
pteridophytes
Morphology and life cycle Morphological and life cycle of named
of lower and higher plants example in each major group considering
the simplest and complex in each group of
the lower plants.
Economic and ecological importance of
plant groups
Practical class- classification and
morphological drawings of lower plants:
Algae (chlorella, euglena/chamydomonas,
volvox, spirogyra)
Fungi e.g; riccia, marchantia, funaria
Pteridophytes, e.g. lycopodium, seleginella,
nephrolepis
Higher plant (non-vascular and vascular
plants)
Spermatophtes e.g. cycas, pinus, gnetum,
hibiscus rosa-sinesis
Morphology of Eleusine Eleusine indica and talinum triangulae
indica and morphology of treated comparatively
Talinum triangulare
2. Taxonomy of lower Plant taxonomy and Definition, plant nomenclature, plant
and higher plants systematic taxonomy of classification & the difference between
lower and higher plants taxonomy and systematics.
3. Plant conservation Importance of plant Definition, concepts in plant conservation,
conservation. in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
Measures in plant Advantages and disadvantages of each:
biological control, pest management, impact
conservation.
of climatic change on plants
Climate change
4. Plant tissues and Plant tissues Emphasis on compositions, distributions,
functions Anatomy & functions forms and functions of each tissues:
parenchyma, collenchyma, shlerenchyma,
epidermal, peridermal, cascular (cambium,
phloem, xylem)
5. Morphology of plant parts Morphology of roots, stems, leaf types and
their modifications due to functions
Anatomy of plant parts Anatomy of monocot and dicot roots, stem
and leaves with emphasis on tissues
management in relation to functions and
environment
Types of roots Practical class –
Roots:
Adventitious and tap root systems,
modification and adaptations
Anatomical observation and
drawing of temporary/permanent
mount of monocots and dicots root
(T.S and L.S)
Locate, draw and label different
plant tissues (parenchyma,
collenchyma etc)
Types of stem Stem:
Aerial and underground stem,
modifications/adaptations related to
functions
Anatomical observation and
drawing of permanent/temporary
mount of monocot and dicot stems
(T.S and L.S)
Locate, draw and label different
plant tissues (parenchyma,
collenchyma etc)
Types of leaves Leaves:
Simple and compound leaves,
arrangements, modifications to suit
habitats
T.S of leaves of both monocot and
dicot plants
Locate, draw and label different
plant tissues (parenchyma,
collenchyma etc)
Types of flowers Flowers:
L.S of dicot flowers e.g. regular
and irregular flowers, floral
diagrams and formula
Types of fruits Fruits:
L.S and T.S of various types of
fruits (dry, dehiscent, indehiscent
and fleshy fruits should be
observed and drawn)
6. Nutrition in plants Nature and types of Autotrophic (photosynthetic and
nutrition chemosynthetic), dark and light reactions in
photosynthesis, heterotrophic & holozoic
nutrition, mineral requirements of plants,
their sources, roles and deficiency
symptoms, composition of chemical
fertilizers
Practical class:
Demonstration of etiolation.
Measurement of photosynthesis in leaf
Growth experiments to show deficiency
symptoms.
Field study of deficiency symptoms in
plants
7. Transport system in Need for transport system. Mineral requirements of plants
plants Water relation Transport in xylem
Transport in phloem
Transport media in plant and materials to be
transported
Practical class
- Transpiration, osmosis and food
transport in plants
8. Respiration Mechanism of gaseous Stomata apparatus, lenticels, aerobic and
exchange anaerobic respiration
9. Plant reproduction sexual and asexual Definition, asexual reproduction, types of
reproduction asexual reproduction, vegetative
propagation.
Sexual reproduction in flowering plants,
angiosperm flower and differences between
monocot and dicot flowers
10. Growth in higher Plant growth, roles and Growth in roots and shoots
plants and growth interactions of growth Auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ascorbic
regulators regulators acids, ethylene
Growth in higher
plants and growth
regulators
11. Crop improvements Importance of GMC Genetically modified crops (GMC)
Challenges of resistant plant species, ethical
implications of genetic modifications.
Economically important food plants,
economically valuable medicinal plants &
ornamental plants
BIO 004: ZOLOGY (3 UNITS)
Specific objectives
At the end of this course, candidates should be able to:
1. Discuss the general characteristics of kingdom Animalia
2. Explain the taxonomy of invertebrates and vertebrates;
3. Discuss diversity of animal species
4. Explain physiological processes in animals; and
5. Enumerate the economic and ecological importance of animals
Course content
S/N TOPICS SUB-TOPICS DETAILS & NOTES
1. Diversity and What is zoology? Definition, general characteristics of animals,
general What are animals? diversity of lifestyles, habitats, categories of animals
characteristics of Scope and areas in zoology
animals Importance of zoology
2. Systematics Classification of animals, basis of Unicellular levels of organization – protozoa, cellular
(taxonomy) of animal classification, levels of levels of organization- eumetazoa, multicellular level
animals animal organization. of organization- metazoan.
Classification of invertebrates
- Phyla of animals
- Animals without tissues
- Tissues and organs of
- Animals with tissues
animals - Animals exhibiting bilateral symmetry
(bilateria)
- Animals with body cavity (coelomates)
- Segmented animals
- Animals with jointed appendages
- Animals with backbones (vertebrates)
Major and minor phyla
Types of tissues and organ system
Practical class –
- Identification and classification of animal
specimens in different phyla
- Dissection of selected animals:
cockroaches, fish, frog, rat, etc
3. Evolution of History and origin of animals, Adaptation of animals in water
animals major evolutionary Adaptation of animals on land
Adaptation of animals Adaptation of animals in air
4. Invertebrates Phylum protozoa Taxonomy, characteristics, diversity, lifestyle,
Phylum porifera morphology and life cycle providing named
representative examples in each order
Phylum cnidarian (coelenterata) Free living flat worms
Phylum Platyhelminthes Parasitic flat worms (trematodes and cestodes) of
Phylum nematode medical and veterinary importance
Emphasize on the body plan
Phylum annelida
Why arthropods are successful
Phylum arthropoda
Phylum Mollusca
Phylum echinodermata
5. Introduction to Adaptation of chordates to water, Challenges and adaptations to living in the different
chordates land and air. habitats, history and important adaptations, diversity,
Protochordates classification, morphology and life cycle, providing,
representative examples from the different orders,
- Class chondrichthyes
history and important adaptations, rise and fall of
- Class osteichthyes
dominant reptiles, clearly state the taxonomic
- Class amphibian features that warrant the grouping into classes
- Class reptilian
- Class aves
- Class mammalia
6. Ecologic and Diverse economic importance of Benefits of animals to man, economic importance of
economic animals arthropods
importance of - Invertebrates
animals - Vertebrates
Ecological importance of animals
7. Physiological Nutrition in animals Types of nutrition in animals, nutrition in humans,
processes types of dentition in animals, alimentary system in
man, digestion (diverse enzymes) and absorption
Practical class – food test
Characteristics of respiratory surfaces, lung as a
respiratory organ, breathing mechanism, human
respiratory structure and function
Role of circulatory system in respiration
Axial and appendicular skeleton, types of muscular
movements, control of muscle contraction, joint
(types of joint) & functions of skeleton
8. Transport of Diffusion, osmosis, plasmolysis, Osmotic balance, selective transport of substances
substances across flaccidity, haemolysis crenation & across membranes, osmotic pressure, turgor pressure
membranes turgidity & active transport
9. Nervous system Coordination and control Nerve cells (neuron and reflex)
Structure of neuron
Reflex arc
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
10. Sense organs Structures and functions of sense Structure and functions of the human ears, eyes,
organs nose, skin and tongue
Chemoreception,
mechanoreception and
photoreception
11. Endocrine system Mechanism of hormonal action Types of hormones, control of hormonal actions,
secreting glands, functions of hormones
