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 organisms 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 organisms 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.

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Course Content

S/N TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES

1. Origin of Living The Science of Biology Definition of biology
Things 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 Brief history of organic molecules.
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 biostatistics Definition of basic biostatistics
Central tendency measurement
2 Living Things in Diversity of Living Different kingdoms and characteristics.
Nature and Things
Practical class- Field observation of
Biological
diversity of living things
Molecules
Biological Molecules Carbohydrate, lipids, protein and nucleic
acids
3 Cell Organisation, Cell Theory, Cell Demonstration of cell structure on
Structure and Structure and Functions microscopes.
Functions
Cell Organization, Biological drawings of plant and animal
Forms in which Cells cells.
Exist Comparisons of plant and animal cells
4 Cell Division, Cell Divisions, Definition, Cell cycle,
Principles of Mitosis in Somatic Basic concepts in genetics :
Genetics, Cells, Chromosome, Gene, allele, dominant,
Variations and Meiosis in Germ Cells, recessive, Homozygous, Heterozygous,
Heredity Principles of Genetics Hybrid, genotype, phenotype etc
Variation and Heredity
Mendel’s Laws of The nature of genes and chromosomes
Inheritance Mendelian Genetics

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 Practical class:
Determination of inheritance using
colored seeds e.g. beads, grains, etc.
Verifications of principles of Mendel’s
law and its deviation
Human Inheritance, Cell division experiment using onion
Human Genetic root.
Disorders e.g. sickle Identification of stages of meiosis,
cell anemia, albinism. Traits controlled by Multiple alleles e.g.
Rhesus Factors, blood group, eye colour.
Polyploidy, Sex-linked Determination of inheritance using
Traits; Application of coloured seeds e.g. beads, grains etc.
Genetics in Verifications of principles of Mendel’s
Agriculture, Medicine, laws.
Criminology, etc.
5 Systematics, Basis of Taxonomy Criteria for classification
Taxonomy and Rules of Systematics Taxonomy hierarchy
Nomenclature Naming of Organisms Binomial nomenclature: Genus &
(Nomenclature) species

Practical class:
Classification and identification of
organisms, Highlighting adaptive
features and their uses
6 Ecology Basic Concepts in Ecosystem, food chain, food web,
Ecology nutrient cycling, biogeochemical cycles
Biological Associations Symbiosis, Mutualism, Parasitism,
and Interactions Commensalism, Ammensalism &
Synergism
Ecology Studies, Types Environmental studies
of Habitats Practical use of ecological equipment,
Population study in a specific habitat
Ecology and Natural Environmental changes
Selection. Biological impacts of climate change
7 Biological Rules of Biological Standard drawing rules governing: use of
Methods and Drawings pencils, specimen proportions,
Application 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.

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 Spellings must be correct and touched by
labelling lines.
8 Evolution Geological Times, and Definition of evolution,
Mega Geological Types of evolution,
Events, Evolutionary Application of Evolution to Plants &
Trends in Animals and Animals Taxonomy.
Plants, Theories of
Evolution- Lamarck
and Darwin Theories of
Evolution. Evidence of
evolution from
Anatomy, Embryology,
Biochemistry.
9 Enzymes Properties of Enzymes, Enzymes, Types of enzymes & Factors
Mechanism of Enzyme affecting rate of enzyme action
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 microorganisms;
2. discuss the different types of microorganisms 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 microorganisms.

Course Content
S/N TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES
1 History of the Spontaneous Generations The theory of spontaneous generation of
Discovery of Microorganisms as the organisms, Conflict over spontaneous
Microorganisms Cause of some Diseases generations,
The golden era of microbiology (1860-
1910), 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

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2 Types and Seven Levels of Bacteria- size, shapes, motility, unusual
Taxonomic Classification types, general methods of bacterial
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 Structure of bacteria cells- capsule,
Morphology and Structures of Microbial flagella, pilli and fimbriae, cell wall,
Characteristics Cells, plasma membrane, cytoplasm
of Biochemical Cell wall of fungal cells, cytoplasm
Microorganisms Characterization Cultural characteristics of bacterial
Reproduction, Growth growth-on solid and liquid media, forms
Types and Phases. 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 Microbial Interactions Predation, Competition, Synergism,
Ecology with Animals, Plants and Commensalism, Infectious diseases,
Microbes Immunity, Spoilage of food, Control of
microbial activities
5 Microbial Genetic Materials, Nature of DNA, Nucleosides and
Nucleic Acids in Mutation and nucleotides, Types of RNA, Enzymes in
Information Mutagenesis DNA replication, Genetic code,
Storage and Transcription and translation,
Transfer Transfer of genetic materials in
prokaryotes, Spontaneous mutation,
induced mutation, expression of mutation.

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6 Microorganisms Biotechnological Biotechnological use of microorganisms
and their Application of in Food industry, Environment,
Application in Microorganism in Pharmaceuticals, Medical and
Biotechnology Various 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 TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES

1 General Characteristics of Lower Classification of major plant
Characteristics and Higher Plants groups groups(Lower and Higher plants)
and Diversity of Divisions up to generic level
Plants Lower plants- algae, fungi,
Bryophytes, Pteridophytes
Morphology and Life Morphological and life cycle of
Cycle of Lower and Higher named example in each major group
Plants considering the simplest and the
complex in each group of the lower
plants.
Economic and ecological importance
of plant groups

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S/N TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES
Practical class- classification and
morphological drawings of lower
plants :
Algae (Chlorella,
Euglena/Chlamydomonas, Volvox,
Spirogyra)
Fungi e.g. yeast, Rhizopus, Mucor,
Aspergylus, Penicillium, mushroom,
Phytophthora,
Bryophytes e.g. Riccia, Marchantia,
Funaria
Pteridophytese.g. Lycopodium,
Seleginella, Nephrolepis
Higher plant (Non-vascular and
vascular plants)
Spermatophytes e.g. Cycas, Pinus,
Gnetum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Morphology of Eleusine Eleusine indica and Talinum
indica and Morphology of triangulae treated comparatively
Talinum triangulare
2 Taxonomy of Plant Taxonomy and Definition, Plant nomenclature, Plant
Lower and Higher Systematics classification & the difference
Plants between Taxonomy and Systematics.
Taxonomy of Lower and
Higher Plants
3 Plant Importance of Plant Definition, concepts in plant
Conservation Conservation conservation, In-situ and ex-situ
Measures in Plant conservation. Advantages and
Conservation disadvantages of each: Biological
Climate change control, Pest management,
Impact of climate change on plants
4 Plant Tissues and Plant Tissues Anatomy & Emphasis on composition,
Functions Functions distribution, forms and functions of
each tissues: Parenchyma,
Collenchyma, Schlerenchyma,
Epidermal, Peridermal, Vascular
(cambium, phloem, xylem)
5 Plant Morphology of Plant Parts Morphology of roots, stems, leaf
Morphology/ types and their modification due to
Anatomy functions
Anatomy of Plant Parts. Anatomy of monocot and dicot roots,
stems and leaves with emphasis on
tissue arrangement in relation to
functions and environment

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S/N TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES
Types of Root Practical class-
Roots-
- Adventitious and tap root
systems, modification and
adaptations
- Anatomical observation and
drawing of permanent/ temporary
mount of monocot and dicot roots
(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).

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S/N TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES
6 Nutrition in Nature and Types of Autotrophic (photosynthetic and
Plants Nutrition chemosynthetic),
Dark and light reaction 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 Need for Transport System Mineral requirements of plants
in 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,
Exchange Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
9 Plant Asexual and Sexual Definition, Asexual reproduction,
reproduction Reproduction Types of asexual reproduction,
Vegetative propagation.
Sexual reproduction in flowering
plants,
Angiosperm flower and differences
between monocots and dicot flowers
10 Growth in Higher Plant growth, Growth in the roots and shoots
Plants and growth Roles and Interactions of Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins,
Regulators Growth Regulators Ascorbic acids, Ethylene
11 Crop Importance of GMC Genetically Modified Crops (GMC)
improvement Challenges of resistant plant species,
Ethical implications of genetic
modifications
12 Economic and Plants of Economic & Economically important food plants,
Ecological Medical Importance Economically valuable medicinal
Importance of plants& Ornamental plants
Plants

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 BIO 004: Zoology (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 TOPIC SUB TOPIC DETAILS & NOTES
1 Diversity and What is Zoology? What are Definition, General characteristics
General Animals? of animals, Diversity of lifestyles,
Characteristics of Scope and Areas in Zoology habitats, Categories of animals
Importance of Zoology
Animals
2 Systematics Classification of Animals, Unicellular levels of organization-
(Taxonomy) of Basis of Animal Classification, protozoa, Cellular levels of
Animals Levels of Animal Organization organization- eumetazoa
- Phyla of Animals Multicellular levels of
- Tissues and Organs in organization- metazoan,
Animals Classification of invertebrates
- Animals without tissues
- Animals with tissues
- Animals exhibiting bilateral
symmetry (bilateria)
- Animals with body cavity
(coelomates).
- Segmented animals
- Animals with jointed
appendages
- Animals with backbone
(vertebrates)
Major and minor phyla
Types of tissues and organ systems
Practical class-
- Identification and classification
of animal specimens in the
different phyla
- Dissection of selected animals-
cockroaches, fish, frog, rat, etc.

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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,
Phylum Porifera diversity, lifestyles, morphology
Phylum Cnidaria and life cycle providing named
(Coelenterata) representative examples in each
Phylum Platyhelminthes order
Phylum Nematoda Free living flat worms
Phylum Annelida Parasitic flat worms (trematodes
Phylum Arthropoda and cestodes) of medical and
Phylum Mollusca veterinary importance
Phylum Echinodermata Emphasize on the body plan
Why arthropods are successful.
5 Introduction to Adaptation of Chordates to Challenges and adaptations to
Chordates Water, Land and Air. living in the different habitats,
Protochordates History and important adaptations,
- Class Chondrichthyes Diversity, classification,
- Class Osteichthyes morphology and life cycle,
- ClassAmphibia providing, representative examples
- ClassReptilia from the different orders,
- Class Aves History and important adaptations,
- Class Mammalia Rise and fall of dominant reptiles,
Clearly state the taxonomic
features that warrant the grouping
into classes.
6 Ecologic and Diverse Economic Importance Benefits of animals to man,
Economic of Animals Economic importance of
Importance of - Invertebrates arthropods
Animals - Vertebrates
Ecological Importance of
Animals
7 Physiological Nutrition in Animals Types of nutrition in animals,
Processes Nutrition in human, Types of
dentition in animals, Alimentary
system in man, Digestion (diverse
enzymes) and absorption

Practical class- food test

Respiration in Mammals Characteristics of respiratory
surfaces, Lung as a respiratory
organ,
Breathing mechanism, Human
respiratory structure and function
Role of circulatory system in
respiration.

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 Skeletal System and Muscles Axial and appendicular skeleton,
Types of muscular movement,
Control of muscle contraction,
Joints (types of joints) & Functions
of skeleton.
Reproduction Mammalian reproductive organs
-Spermatogenesis/oogenesis
-Courtship/mating and viviparity
-Hormonal regulation in male
and female systems
-Gonadal steroids and there
control
-The menstrual cycle
-Hormone of human pregnancy
and birth
Structure and function of human
female and male reproductive
system.
Excretion Morphology of the excretory
system,
Osmoregulation, Structure and
function of the nephron –
ultrafiltration, selective
reabsorption and excretion. Also he
effects of weather on excretion.
Human circulatory/transport
system,
Circulatory System Blood as agent of transport,
- Components of blood
- The functions of blood and
types of circulation
Growth and Development Principles of development- stages
in embryology.
8 Transport of Diffusion Osmotic balance, Selective
Substances across Osmosis transport of substances across
Membranes Plasmolysis membranes, Osmotic pressure,
Flaccidity Turgor pressure &
Haemolysis Active transport
Crenation &
Practical class- Experiment
Turgidity
demonstrating diffusion, osmosis
and plasmolysis
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

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10 Sense Organ Structures and functions of Structures and functions of Human
sense organs ears, eyes, nose, skin and tongues
Chemoreception,
Mechanoreception and
Photoreception
11 Endocrine System Mechanism of Hormonal Types of hormones,
Action Control of Hormonal actions,
Secreting glands,
Functions of hormones

RECOMMENDED TEXTS
1. Dutta, A. C., & Dutta, T. C. (2010). Botany for Degree Students. New York: Oxford
Press
2. Hickman, C., Keen, S., Larson, A., Eisenhour, D., Anson, H., & Roberts, L. (2020).
Integrated Principles of Zoology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
3. Klug, W., Cummings, M., Nickla, H., Palladino, M. A, Spencer, C. A., Gaudette, M.,
& Killian, D. (2019). Essentials of Genetics. New York: Pearson.
4. Madigan, M. T., Martinko, J. M., Dunlap, P. V., & Clark, D. P. (2009). Brock Biology
of Microorganisms. Pearson.
5. Raven, P. J., Mason, K. A., Losos, J. B., & Duncan, T. (2019). Biology. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
6. Solomon, E. P., Martin, D. W., Martin, C. E., & Berg, L. R. (2019). Biology. New
York: Cengage Learning.
7. Taylor, D. J., Green, N. P. O., Stout, G. W., & Soper, R. (2010). Biological Science1
& 2 Delhi, Cambridge University Press
8. Urry, L., Cain, M., Wasserman, S., Minorsky, P., & Reece, J. (2016). Campell
Biology. Hobekan, Pearson

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