COURSE NAME: Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics

MTech /PhD Degree:

AIM:  To provide educational and research training to postgraduate students to produce a new generation of African scientists as a workforce for addressing the mycotoxin problem for safer food and sustainable and secure health as well as the wellbeing of Humanity.

Specific objectives

• To provide theoretical and practical knowledge in general and microbial biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics related to food contaminant control and safer food among postgraduate students from the West and Central African region.
• To position the postgraduate students for successful grant writing and becoming independent researchers in mycotoxin and food safety
• To provide linkages for industrial experience acquisition among postgraduate students.
• To help the postgraduate students understand research ethics and use of the intellectual property for innovative research products for wealth creation and addressing mycotoxin control needs in the West and Central African region.

Admission requirement

To be determined by the admission committee of the African Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety FUT Minna in accordance with the provision of the regulation of the Senate and School of postgraduate studies the Federal University of Technology Minna.

Duration of the Programme

The degree program in Food Safety will be in the form of a 2 years collaborative M. Tech program. The first part of the program will involve coursework lasting for 12 months followed by 4 months of Internship/Industrial work experience with partners from government institutions, food safety regulators, food producers, and business communities

Title of degree

To be named by the host Department of the center in accordance with the provision of the regulation of the Senate and School of postgraduate studies Federal University of Technology Minna

2.0  PROGRAM NAME: MASTERS OF TECHNOLOGY (MTECH) IN Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics

2.1  ELIGIBILITY

In addition to O level entry requirement as in the admission guideline of the Federal University of Technology Minna, candidates with a minimum of a second-class lower degree in a related discipline may be admitted into the program but must have a CGPA of 2.50 and above at the end of course work before proceeding to the research. The related courses are Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science, Animal Science, Crop Science, Plant Pathology, and related subjects.

2.2 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

Generally, pedagogical approaches will be adopted. These will include lecture methods, demonstrations, tutorials, group presentations, and slide presentations. Laboratory practicals will include wet and dry practicals, field trips, and report presentations at the end of the internship. Teleconferencing and mid-term papers are also not excluded.

2.3 METHODS OF EVALUATION

Procedure for formative (CA) including assignments and mid-term test: 40 %

Procedure for summative: 60 %

Internship/Industrial experience: 3 months

Practical-based classes shall be assessed thus:

Weekly class experiments: 40 %

Advanced technique term paper: 10 %

Examination: 50 %

2.4 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of three (3) semesters and a maximum of six (6) semesters are required to be spent by the candidates while on the program. This includes the period spent on the coursework and internship. To successfully complete the course, students are required to register and PASS thirty-nine (36) core credit units from the three semesters and a minimum of four (4) elective credit units from the first and second semesters. The core courses include internships and projects as highlighted:

Core credit units: 32

Elective credit units: 4

Internship: 2

Research Project: 6

2.5 CARRIER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of MTech Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics shall be opportune to work as laboratory analysts, surveillance/senior inspectors, molecular toxicologists, forensic and clinical toxicologists, and food and safety officers/food safety regulators in various companies and industries. They would also be relevant as biosafety officers, toxicological risk assessors, food toxicologists, and instructors/lead instructors/trainers/lecturers.

3.0 PROGRAM NAME: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN MOLECULAR
         BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS

3.1 ELIGIBILITY (PhD)

In addition to the O level requirement as in the admission guideline of the Federal University of Technology Minna, candidates with a CGPA of 3.50 and above in a related discipline, who have applied to the Department for a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics but without an MSc or MTech in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics will be required to take course work and acquire a minimum of 3.50 before proceeding to the research. The related courses are Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science, Animal Science, Crop Science, Plant Pathology, and related subjects.

3.2 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

Generally, pedagogical approaches will be adopted. These will include lecture methods, demonstrations, tutorials, group presentations, and slide presentations. Laboratory practical will include wet and dry practicals, field trips, and report presentations at the end of the internship. Teleconferencing and mid-term papers are also not excluded.

3.3 METHODS OF EVALUATION

Procedure for formative (CA): 40%

Procedure for summative: 60%

Internship/Industrial experience: 3-6 months

Thesis: 6 Credit units

3.4 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of six (6) semesters and a maximum of ten (10) semesters are required to be spent by the candidates while on the program. This includes the period spent on the course work (for candidates that must take the course work) and internship.

 3.5 CARRIER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Doctoral degree holders in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics have job opportunities in Agriculture and Food industries and regulatory organizations; Standards bureau/organizations, National drug administration and Food Control, Quarantine services, Veterinary Centers, Hospitals, Food, and Chemical Industries as Bioinformatician, Drug Discovery scientists, Molecular Mycologist, Data Scientist, Computational Scientist, Modeling expert, Nanotechnologist, Foodborne infection control expert, Biochemistry Food industry, Animal feed Quarantine Institution, Universities, Research Institute.

PROGRAMME NAME:            M. TECH FOOD SAFETY

2.0 AIM:  To train Food Safety graduates that will impact better food and feed safety culture
                  and ensure safer foods for healthy living across Africa.

• OBJECTIVES: To help the student

• Gain better understanding of effective food safety principles
• Differentiate between a traditional food safety management system versus a science-based food safety approach.
• Understanding international food safety regulation and its subsidiaries bodies
• Improve the effectiveness of training, education and communication efforts in creating smarter food safety goals
• Acquire practical food safety knowledge and real-world applications that will help them become more effective in their current role and better equip them as food safety Experts
• To increase knowledge on how to handle, preparation and practices to prevent food-borne disease outbreaks
• Understanding of food production from farm to table.

Admission requirement

To be determined by the admission committee of African Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety FUT Minna in accordance with the provision of the regulation of the Senate and School of postgraduate studies Federal University of Technology Minna.

Duration of the Programme

The degree program in Food Safety will be in form of a 2 years collaborative M. Tech program. The first part of the program will involve course work lasting for 12 months followed by a 4 months Internship/Industrial work experience with partners from government institution, food safety regulators, food producers and business communities

Title of degree

To be named by the host Department of the centre in accordance with the provision of the regulation of the Senate and School of postgraduate studies Federal University of Technology Minna

2.0  PROGRAM NAME: MASTERS OF TECHNOLOGY (MTECH) IN FOOD SAFETY

2.1  ELIGIBILITY

In addition to O level entry requirement as in the admission guideline of Federal University of Technology Minna, candidates with a minimum of second class lower degree in related discipline, may be admitted into the program but must have CGPA of 2.50 and above at the end of course work before proceeding to the research. The related courses are: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science, Animal Science, Crop Science, Plant Pathology and related subjects.

2.2 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

Generally, pedagogical approaches will be adopted. These will include: lecture method, demonstration, tutorials, group presentation, and slide presentations. Laboratory practical will include wet and dry practical, field trips and report presentation at the end of internship. Teleconferencing and mid-term papers are also not exclude.

2.3 METHODS OF EVALUATION

Procedure for formative (CA) including assignments and mid-term test: 40 %

Procedure for summative: 60 %

Internship/Industrial experience: 3 months

Practical- based classes shall be assessed thus:

Weekly class experiments: 40 %

Advanced technique term paper: 10 %

Examination: 50 %

2.4 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of three (3) semesters and maximum of six (6) semesters are required to be spent by the candidates while on the program. This includes the period spent on the course work and internship. To successfully complete the course, students are required to register and PASS thirty nine (39) core credit units from the three semesters and minimum of four (4) elective credit units from first and second semesters. The core courses include internship and project as highlighted:

Core credit units: 35

Elective credit units: 4

Internship: 2

Research Project: 6

2.5 CARRIER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of MTech Food Safety shall be opportune to work as laboratory analysts, surveillance/senior inspectors, molecular toxicologists, forensic and clinical toxicologists, food and safety officers/food safety regulators in various companies and industries. They would also be relevant as biosafety officers, toxicological risk assessors, food toxicologists, and instructors/lead instructors/trainers/lecturers.

3.0 PROGRAM NAME: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN FOOD SAFETY

3.1 ELIGIBILITY (PhD)

In addition to O level requirement as in the admission guideline of Federal University of Technology Minna, candidates with CGPA of 3.50 and above in related discipline, who have applied to the Department for a PhD in Food Safety but without an MSc or M.Tech in Food Safety will be required to take a course work and acquire a minimum of 3.50 before proceeding to the research. The related courses are: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Barchellor of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science, Animal Science, Crop Science, Plant Pathology and related subjects.

3.2 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

Generally, pedagogical approaches will be adopted. These will include: lecture method, demonstration, tutorials, group presentation, and slide presentations. Laboratory practical will include wet and dry practical, field trips and report presentation at the end of internship. Teleconferencing and mid-term papers are also not exclude.

3.3 METHODS OF EVALUATION

Procedure for formative (CA): 40%

Procedure for summative: 60%

Internship/Industrial experience: 3-6 months

Thesis: 6 Credit units

3.4 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of six (6) semesters and maximum of ten (10) semesters are required to be spent by the candidates while on the program. This includes the period spent on the course work (for candidates that must take the course work) and internship.

 3.5 CARRIER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Doctoral degree holders in Food Safety have job opportunities in Agriculture and Food industries and regulatory organizations ; Standards bureau/organizations, National drug administration and food control, Quarantine services, Veterinary Centres, Hospitals, Food and Chemical Industries and lots more.

Curriculum for M.Tech and PhD in Toxicology

• Aim and Objectives

Aim

The aim of the program is to expose students to an in-depth knowledge of toxicology, mechanisms of toxicants, effects on living systems, effects on environment, detection, prevention and control.

The objectives are to:

1. explain the history and scope of toxicology such as; food, environmental, forensic and clinical toxicity.
2. have broad knowledge of classes of toxicants with the view to exposing students to advanced toxicological activities
3. describe various toxic actions and explain how they affect organs and systems
4. expose students to instrumentation techniques and analytical procedure in toxicology
5. acquire knowledge on risk assessment, prevention and control of toxins
6. expose the students to toxicological techniques for food, industrial and environmental applications.

2.0  Program Name: Masters of Technology (MTech) in Toxicology

2.1  ELIGIBILITY

In addition to O level entry requirement as in the admission guideline of Federal University of Technology Minna, candidates with a minimum of second class lower degree in related discipline, may be admitted into the program but must have CGPA of 2.50 and above at the end of course work before proceeding to the research. The related courses are: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Barchellor of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science and Animal Science.

2.2 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

Generally, pedagogical approaches will be adopted. These will include: lecture method, demonstration, tutorials, group presentation, and slide presentations. Laboratory practical will include wet and dry practical, field trips and report presentation at the end of internship. Teleconferencing and mid-term papers are also not exclude.

2.3 METHODS OF EVALUATION

Procedure for formative (CA) including assignments and mid-term test: 40 %

Procedure for summative: 60 %

Internship/Industrial experience: 3 months

Practical- based classes shall be assessed thus:

Weekly class experiments: 40 %

Advanced technique term paper: 10 %

Examination: 50 %

2.4 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of three (3) semesters and maximum of six (6) semesters are required to be spent by the candidates while on the program. This includes the period spent on the course work and internship. To successfully complete the course, students are required to register and PASS thirty five (35) core credit units from the three semesters and minimum of four elective credit units from first and second semesters. The core courses include internship and project as highlighted:

Core credit units: 31

Elective credit units: 4

Internship: 2

Research Project: 6

2.5 CARRIER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of MTech Toxicology shall be opportune to work as laboratory analysts, surveillance/senior inspectors, molecular toxicologists, forensic and clinical toxicologists, food and safety officers/food safety regulators in various companies and industries. They would also be relevant as biosafety officers, toxicological risk assessors, chemical toxicologists, and instructors/lead instructors/trainers/lecturers.

3.0 Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Toxicology

3.1 ELIGIBILITY (PhD)

In addition to O level requirement as in the admission guideline of Federal University of Technology Minna, candidates with CGPA of 3.50 and above in related discipline, who have applied to the Department for a PhD in Toxicology but without an MSc in Toxicology will be required to take a course work and acquire a minimum of 3.50 before proceeding to the research. The related courses are: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Barchellor of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science and Animal Science.

3.2 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

Generally, pedagogical approaches will be adopted. These will include: lecture method, demonstration, tutorials, group presentation, and slide presentations. Laboratory practical will include wet and dry practical, field trips and report presentation at the end of internship. Teleconferencing and mid-term papers are also not exclude.

3.3 METHODS OF EVALUATION

Procedure for formative (CA): 40%

Procedure for summative: 60%

Internship/Industrial experience: 3-6 months

Thesis: 6 Credit units

3.4 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of six (6) semesters and maximum of ten (10) semesters are required to be spent by the candidates while on the program. This includes the period spent on the course work (for candidates that must take the course work) and internship.

 3.5 CARRIER/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Doctoral degree holders in Toxicology have job opportunities in Standards bureau/organizations, National drug administration and food control, Quarantine services, Veterinary Centres, Hospitals, Food and Chemical Industries and lots more.