About Us – Department of Biochemistry

PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES

From the start, the philosophy of the department was clearly outlined as part of the general philosophy of the University.  The department has thus offered courses of instruction to students of Agriculture/Chemistry, Biological Sciences and basic veterinary medicine at the undergraduate.  The department aims at producing graduate biochemists that are equipped in modern aspects of the discipline and aware of the needs of Nigeria and Africa in general in their area of specialty.

The degree programme lays emphasis on such locally important topics as

●          Biochemical  reasoning

●          Nutritional aspects of biochemistry,

●          Industrial biochemistry

●          Pharmacological biochemistry

●          Clinical biochemistry

●          Toxicology

●          Genetics

●          Medicinal plant

●          Food biochemistry

●          Biochemical aspects of the use of agrochemicals

●          Plant biochemistry and Biotechnology.

●          The final year projects are designed to address local problems from a

Biochemical perspective and the curriculum of the Department has been planned to   respond to the needs of industries without dramatic changes in course contents.

                Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Programme

The objective of the course is to provide a comprehensive training in theoretical and  practical biochemistry to students.  Such trained students can thereafter work as

◦           Graduate Assistant in Universities or

◦           Biochemists in Research Institutes

◦           Scientists in Industrial Establishments or

◦           Scientists in service laboratories of Hospitals

◦           They will also be eligible for post graduate studies leading to the M.Sc or Ph.D degrees.

The teaching of Biochemistry is spread through the second, third and fourth years of programme.  Through these training programmes, the department contributes its rightful share in relieving the shortages of Agriculture, Veterinary and paramedical personnel competent teachers and research workers in Biochemistry

VISION

• The Vision of the Department was clearly outlined as part of the general philosophy of the University by striving to create a supportive environment that nurtures professional relationship, enrich teaching and learning, develop and strengthen scholarship and encourage professional services.
• The Department aims and focused on producing graduate Biochemists that must be equipped in modern aspects of the Course and aware of the needs of Nigeria and Africa in general in their area of specialty.

MISSION

• The Department aims at producing graduate Biochemists that are equipped in modern aspects of the discipline and aware of the needs of Nigeria and Africa in general.
• One of the Mission of the Biochemistry is to provide a core comprehensive training in theoretical and practical Biochemistry to students.
• The Department contributes its rightful share in relieving the shortages of Agriculture, Veterinary and Paramedical Personnel competent teachers and research workers in Biochemistry.

HISTORY

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture formerly Federal University of Agriculture was established in 1993. Following the creation of Universities of Agriculture in 1991 Ediet No 48 of the Federal Government of Nigeria.  The B.Sc. Biochemistry started in the Department of Chemical Sciences in November, 1998 Regular classes started on 15th January 1999 with the first batch of ten students.  Course instruction started with two full time academic staff members,   Prof. O.C. Ohaeri then a Senior Lecturer and Mr Pipi a graduate assistant Prof.. E. I. Akubugwo was then on visiting capacity.

In 2001 Prof.. Ifeoma Irene Ijeh a Senior lecturer and Prof. P.N. Okafor a Senior Lecturer joined the Department as full time academic staff.  Also in the same year Mr. J. Okwo and Mr. E.C. Nwaiwu both senior Technologist were employed.  Mrs. C.C. Onwukwe and Mr. Uchenna Ariwa were employed as Senior Lab assistant and Lab Attendant respectively.  Professor O.U. Njoku of UNN did a sabbatical with the Department in the 2003/2004 session.

The Department was upgraded to the status of an independent Department in 2004 following which it had an NUC accreditation visitation in June 2005 and was granted interim accreditation status.  In 2007, NUC accreditation team granted the department full accreditation.

The Department has actively participated in all the activities of the Nigerian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  It successfully hosted the 4th Annual Zonal Symposium of the Society held on 8th June 2006.  The symposium was attended by over 50 lecturers and 200 students from across the south East Zone.

The Department has since grown from an initial Academic Staff strength of Nine to Twenty Five, all are full-time staff.  The Department has 5 Professors. All are on full time appointment, One Associate professor, 4 Senior Lecturers, 3 Lecturers II, 8 Assistant Lecturers and 4 Graduate Assistants.  The Department had been headed by several eminent lecturers, Prof. Yusuf Ndukaku Omeh as the current head of the department.