Course Module – Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR B.Sc.  (HONS) ZOOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY (BIO) COURSES

BIO 111:               GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 (4 CREDITS) L45:P15:T0

Structure of the cell; functions of the cellular organs, tissues, organs and systems within organism, diversity, characteristics and classification of living thing, heredity and evolution: Fundamental of ecology, Morphology, general characteristics, life cycles and  range of forms of bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, bryophytes.

BIO 121: GENERAL BIOLOGY 11 (4 CREDITS) L45:P15:T0

Morphology of gymnosperms and angiosperms.   Structure of the flower, seed and fruit.  Structure and germination of seeds and plant development.  Form of structure of vertebrate, Protochordates (Amphioxus), dish, amphibian, reptiles, birds and mammal.

BIO 211: GENETICS 1 (1 CREDIT) L15:P0:T0

Hereditable and non-hereditable characteristics.  Probability and tests of goodness of fit. Quantitative inheritance, variation in genome structure.  Introduction to population genetics.

BIO 212: GENERAL ECOLOGY (2 CREDITS) L30:P0:T0

Ecological factors and cycles; ecosystems and energy flow; water and nutrient budgets; population attributes (treat to include analysis of variance and organization and dynamics of ecological communities in soil fresh water and sea); Succession and climax; Ecological method; Man and its consequences. (3 credit units).

BIO 221: BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES (1 CREDIT) L5:P10:T0

Procedure for collection, identification and preservation of biological specimens; sampling techniques; was embedding techniques; photometry, Colorimetry, chromatograph, Electrophoresis and conductometry.  Experimental design and analysis (3 credit units).

BIO 222: INTRODUCTORY DEVELOPMENTAL/ CELL BIOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Modern concepts relating to the cell.  A study of the molecular organization, function and assembly of eukaryotic cell components, including membrane and membranous organelles, ribosomes, cilia and flagella, microtubules, microfilaments, nucleoli and chromosomes, metabolic energy dynamics.

PSB 211:  SEEDLESS PLANTS (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Morphology and reproduction of algae, bryophytes and Pteridophytes, including fossils.

MCB 211:             GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Historical aspects: scope of microbiology, general characteristics of mircoorganisms, growth and reproduction, sterilization and disinfection, brief survey of microbes as friends and foes.

MCB 221:             GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

 PSB 221:              SEED PLANTS (2 CREDITS) L30:P0:T0

Morphology and reproduction of seed plants-gymnosperms angiosperms.

BIO 311:   GENETICS II (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Aspects of human genetics, pedigree analysis, Further consideration of various deviation from basic principles.  Gene interaction.

BIO 312:  FIELD COURSE (1 CREDIT) L7:P8:T0

Sampling techniques in local habitats.  Assessment by report.

BIO 315: INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY (1 CREDIT) L15:P0:T0

The meaning of biotechnology, basic principles of biotechnology.  Practical application of biotechnology (Proteomics), bioethical issues, GMO controversies and problematical impacts.

BIO 316 CONSERVATIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Development of Biological gardens.  Detailed study of Natural resources.  Plants, animal, Physical and Chemical resources.  Conservation Policies, problems and Prospects.  Management philosophies and traditions.

BIO 411 POPULATION AND PRODUCTION ECOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Definition (landscape perspective, population meta population, etc); population attributes (dispersion, dispersability, distribution, density, capacity to grow, etc,); population interactions-positive (proto-cooperation, mutualism, etc,) negative (predation, parasitism, competition, etc); population  dynamic; population regulation (density-dependent and density-independent factors); applications of population ecology principles to pest and wildlife management; plant production; measurement of production in various communities; assessment of animal use (range and browsing) of plant production; vegetation management for production on sustained-yield basis.

BIO 411: POPULATION AND PRODUCTION ECOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Properties of population  and  biotic communities, behavior, laboratory and field studies illustrating principles of population ecology natural selection, and exercises in the measurement of ecological variables and illustrations of their effects on plant and animal communities.

BIO 412: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING (3 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P15:T0

Phases in environmental assessment predictive monitoring:  Interpretation of environmental effects during and after development activity; environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); Impact Assessment Network simple Models in Environmental Assessment, Limitations.  Biological Monitoring-Marine (Near Coastal)/Brackish (Wetland); Ecosystems, forest Ecosystem, Agro ecosystems freshwater Ecosystem, Arid Ecosystem.  Bioindicators Monitor, Sentinel, Indicator Species.  Automated Biomonitors, Biomarkers.  Types, Limitations, Advantages.  Comparison of biological and chemical assessment, Environmental Forecasting.

BIO 413:               FIELD COURSE II (1 CREDIT UNIT) L15:P0:T0

Sampling techniques: sampling methods in Parasitology, Hydrobiology and Fisheries, Entomology, Physiology, Genetics and cell biology.

BIO 422                  HYDROBIOLOGY (3 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P15:T0

A study of types of aquatic habitats, Physical and chemical properties of brackish, marine and fresh water.  Hydrology and water cycle.  Properties of natural and man-made lakes.  Thermal properties and stratification.  Eutrophicational plankton and benthos Macro-invertebrates (aquatic insects) etc.

ZOOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY (ZEB) COURSES

ZEB 211                 LOWER INVERTEBRATES (2 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P0:T0

Treatment of the protozoa and metazoan groups.

ZEB 221                 COELOMATE INVERTEBRATES (2 CREDITS) L30:P0:T0

Organization and biology of the higher metazoan groups.

ZEB 311 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Introduction:  Scope of Physiology.  Maintenance  Systems – the Alimentary System, Blood and body Fluids, Respiration, Cardiovascular System, Kidney and Excretion, coordination and Integration – Sensory Physiology, Central Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Muscle Physiology, Neuromuscular Transmission, Growth and Development; Endocrinology and Reproduction.

ZEB 312 HISTOLOGY (3 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P15:T0

General Introduction; characteristics of phylum chordate; the invertebrate chordates; Urochordates and Cephalochordates: general features and biology-nutrition, excretion, internal transport, nervous system, reproduction; Subphylum Vertebrata: Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds and Mammals (general characteristics, adaptations, evolution).  Primates, nonhuman and human, primate groups; human characteristics, evolution, Apes and hominids; the ape men, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens.

ZEB 313:               BASIC ENTOMOLOGY (3 CREDITS)  L30:P15:T0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 Insect evolution, classification and distribution organization of excretion, blood circulations.  Water system, behavior and ecology of social insects.

ZEB 314: ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (2 CREDITS) L30:P0:T0

Forms of behavior, reflexes and complex behaviour; development of behavior; addictiveness and adaptability of behavior; importance of instinct and learning in animal Kingdom, evolution of behavioural patterns; cultural transmission of behavior, sexual isolation; imprinting; animal social behavior; animal associations and aggregations.

ZEB 315: COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (3 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P15:T0

Vertebrate plan and phylogeny; adaptation and evolution.  General and integrated principles of vertebrate structure and morphology, vertebrate skeletal adaptations to life in water, land and air.  Comparative anatomy and physiology of vertebrate respiratory structure, comparative feeding, comparative gaseous exchange, development of the urino-genital system, osmo-regulation in different habitats (water and land), salt and water balance, thermoregulation, endocrine control or physiological systems. 

ZEB 399: SIWES (15 CREDITS)

Industrial field experience in any one of the following:

1. Fisheries
2. Wildlife Management
3. Biology of Aquatic Environment
4. Pest control
5. Animal and Public Health
6. Biotechnology
7. Parasitology

ZEB 400:               RESEARCH PROJECT (4 CREDITS)

A research project involving an investigation in animal and Environmental Biology, and written presentation and discussion of results.

ZEB 401 SEMINAR (1 CREDIT)

To be written up in the form of a scientific report and delivered to a departmental audience.                            

ZEB 411: FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Fish classification. Cultural species. Principles and techniques of aquaculture with emphasis on propagation of cyprinids, crustacean, and mollusca. Fish pond as an ecosystem. Construction and management of fish pond.  Fish feeding.  Natural and induced spawning of fish.  Fish traps.

ZEB 412: APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Principles of applied entomology and socio-economic effects.

ZEB 413: PARASITOLOGY 1 (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Evolution of parasitic mode of life.  Nature of parasitism in relation to other forms of animals association.  Host-parasite relationships. Parasitic protozoa and helminthes of medical and veterinary importance. Parasitic arthropods.

ZEB 414: ZOOGEOGRAPHY (1 CREDIT) L15:P0:T0

Geographical distribution of animals. The habits occupied by, different species such as marine and freshwater fishes.  Methods of migration and dispersal by wind, water current and by man.  Theories of continental drift.

ZEB 415 WASTE MANAGEMENT (2 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P0:T0

Definition of Wastes. Types of Wastes.  Biological and non-biological wastes.  Strategies of waste management and control.  Treatment degradable and non-degradable wastes.  Waste disposal systems   Waste, management in urban and rural areas. Organisms associated with waste management.  Engineering methods for waste managements Assessment of management approaches. 

ZEB 416 FOREST WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (2 CREDITS) L30:P0:T0

Biodiversity-definition, biological evolution, Environmental factors that affect diversity, Reasons for preserving diversity Evaluation, numeric diversity measures, multivariate techniques and graphical methods, diversity indices. Biodiversity differences in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.  Land resources assessment and classification.  Land-use Planning. The Landscape Concept.  Forests and Forestry.  Sustainable Forestry.  Approaches to Forest Management Parks and Preserves as Islands.  Wildlife species in Nigeria and their management.  Official Categories of Threat.  Distributional records – Climate mapping, migrant species, fine scale maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  Habitat improvement, game farming, artificial, stocking, preservation of breeding stocks by means of game laws.  Traditional single species.  Wildlife management improved Approaches to Wildlife management

ZEB 421: TOXICOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

The human environment, toxins/poisons. (Natural and Man-made), sources of toxins, acute and chronic exposure. Effect of toxins. Evaluation (Toxicity, testing, hazard, evaluation, risk assessment, field validation, chemical safety evaluation) control/remedies.  PEPS, NAOS, other environmental institutions.

ZEB 422:  COMPARATIVE VERT. EMBRYOLOGY (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Problems and process of development.  Gene-activity in oogenesis.  Cytoplasmic, Localization in the nature of egg. Gastrulation and cell interactions.  Cell war and molecular basis of embryogenesis. Tissue interactions in development significance of the placenta and the development of immunity.

ZEB 423:          PARASITOLOGY II (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Epidemiological studies and control measure of important tropical parasitic disease and the role of Vector in the transmission of these diseases. Environmental health and community diagnosis. Human environment. Socioeconomic considerations in parasitic infection. Prevention, control and eradication of parasitic infections.

ZEB 424 TECHNIQUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (3 CREDITS) L30:P15:T0

Techniques in environmental microbiology, techniques in faunal and floral studies, population studies of fauna, dispersion.  Ecological diversity and measurements, diversity indices, chemical methods in environmental analyses.

ZEB 425        ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND LAWS (3 CREDIT UNITS) L30:P15:T0

National and International, environmental protection policies and laws, international concepts.  Green house index as global ecological indicator, ecological forecasting.  Nigerian policies and laws.  FEPA Act Cap. 126 sections 7,8,10, w 29, 30 and 36.  Oil and Navigable water cap 337.  Pest Control of Produce Act. Cap 349. Harmful Wastes (special provision) Act. Cap 165.

ZEB 426           EVOLUTION (2 CREDITS) L30:P0:T0

The origin and evolution of chordates and vertebrates.