Applicants intending to study for the Master of Science Degree in Applied Microbiology should normally have a first degree in a pure or applied Biological subject from this University or from any other recognised university or equivalent institution, as single or combined major or equivalent. This should be passed with a min- mum of lower second class overall and in the Biological component, which should normally include passes in at least 1 course in Microbiology and 1 course in Biochemistry.
The Master of Science Degree Programme shall consist of course work and Dissertation extending over 4 semesters of full-time study, which include the long vacation period between the semesters. All courses are 3 credits each. The Dissertation shall be based on a supervised original research project extending over the second year of study (Semesters 3 and 4) and shall normally be presented at the end of that year. Extensions beyond this can only be made with the approval of the School of Graduate Studies
BIO 614: Research Seminar will be assessed based on assignments related to data analysis and project formulations, write-ups of project proposals and oral presentations of reports including proposals. BIO 614 will be assessed with 30 per cent based on the seminar and 70 per cent based on the final report.
The coursework shall extend over the first 2 semesters of study and shall consist of 4 core courses (12 credits) taken in the first semester and 1 in the second semester (3 credits). In the second semester, candidates will choose to specialize in either Food Microbiology or Environmental Microbiology. There are 4 courses for each stream with a total of 12 credits.
All students enrolled for the Master of Science Degree in Applied Microbiology must take and Pass the following courses in the first and second semesters of study:
Semester 1 (Core Courses)
BIO610 Bacteriology
BIO611 Mycology
BIO612 Virology
BIO613 Molecular Genetics
Semester 2
BIO 614 Research Seminar (core)
Stream 1: Food Microbiology
BIO620 Industrial Microbiology
BIO621 Food Microbiology and Hygiene
BIO622 Food Toxicology
BIO623 Food Science and Technology
Stream 2: Environmental Microbiology
BIO630 Microbial Ecology
BIO631 Environmental Toxicology
BIO632 Phycology
BIO633 Soil Microbiology
Semesters 3 and 4
BIO700 Master of Science Dissertation
Supervision will be as specified in General Academic Regulation 40.7.
The period of study shall be as specified in General Academic Regulations and shall include the long vacation period between the semesters.
8.1 Continuous assessment shall be based on a combination of assignments, written tests and practical exercises as approved by the Department Board.
8.2 The grading of BIO 614: Research Seminar will be based upon the assessment of the written and oral reports.
8.3 The formal written examination of each course except BIO 614 shall take the form of a final exam paper of 2 hour’s duration. The ratio between continuous assessment and examination shall be 1:1.
In order to proceed to the second year, a student must pass all courses taken during Semesters 1 and 2.
The regulations regarding the Dissertation shall be as specified in the General Academic Regulations.