registrar@fpno.edu.ng+234-8118691549
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY/BIOCHEMISTRY
BRIEF HISTORY
Microbiology/Biochemistry Department is one of the departments in the school of Industrial and Applied Sciences (S.I.A.S), Federal Polytechnic NekedeOwerri Imo-State. The department was established to render a high level of professionalism and competency in training, research, and skill acquisition to develop the staff and students for the advancement of knowledge and technological skills.
The Department started in March 2008/2009 academic session with a resource accreditation under Chemistry/Biochemistry department. The pioneer students were 40 in number under the headship of Rev. Dr. E.C. Egeonu.
The Department was separated from Chemistry/Biochemistry department and hence became independent in 2010 with full accreditation by the NBTE with two streams. A new HOD, Dr. Mrs. C.C. Unegbu was also appointed to pilot the affairs of the Microbiology / Biochemistry department in April, 2011 to January 2015. On the expiration of the tenure of Dr. Mrs. Unegbu, Another HOD was appointed in the person of Mr. UzombaNnamdi. The department is currently under the headship of Dr. Josephat Chukwudi Onwusonye.
A total number of 18 full time staff are working in the department (16 academic staff and 2 non – academic staff). The department has successfully graduated 8 sets from 2010 – 2019 and had recorded some distinctions in each set. The department has also recorded great appreciation in the number of students. There is also a number of part time staff in the department.
CONTACT EMAIL:
microbiology-biochemistry@fpno.edu.ng, conwusonye@fpno.edu.ng
Phone: +2348030729137
VISION STATEMENT
To be a pacesetter department in Federal Polytechnic NekedeOwerri Imo State in creating, improving, and translating technologically acquired skills and knowledge.
MISSION STATEMENT
To nurture and sustain the culture of the best practices in the teaching and learning processes, research Demonstrations skill and technological improvement in the department in order to create new Biological, Microbiological and Biochemical products and improving on the existing ones for job creation and global economic development.
OBJECTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The programme is designed to expose students to all the important areas of Microbiology and Biochemistry through series of lectures, laboratory exercises and tutorials. More so, the students are also given the opportunity to be creative and develop in specialized areas of Microbiology and Biochemistry for technological development of the nation. This is made possible through exposure to a wide range of core courses and a research project as well as a 1 year compulsory Industrial Training at the end of the 2nd year National Diploma (ND) before proceeding to the Higher National Diploma (HND) Programme. Graduates of this department will therefore be innovative, dependable and have the capacity to translate or relate their knowledge for sustenance of Microbiology and Biochemistry related Industries. They would have the ability to create new products and improve on the quality of the existing ones through the manipulation of the properties of both microbes and their environment as well as substances of Biochemical importance.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be admitted into the two- year National Diploma(ND) Programme in Science Laboratory Technology (Microbiology/Biochemistry Option, the candidate, in addition to an acceptable pass in UTME and post UTME examinations (combinations: Biology, Chemistry, English and Physics/Mathematics), must have either the following:
(i) WAEC/NECO Senior Secondary School Certificate
Credit passes in (5) five subjects; English language, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics at not more than two (2) sittings.
(ii) Five (5) WAEC/NECO, GCE O’ level Credit passes as in (i) above
For a 2 year HND Programme in Microbiology/Biochemistry department / option, candidates with complete ND statement of result in Science Laboratory Technology, Food Technology (at least lower credit pass) in addition to the entry requirements as stated in (i) or (ii) above are eligible for admission.
KEY OFFICERS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES
The chief executive of the department remains the Head of department who runs the affairs of the department with assistance from the following persons
1. Departmental secretary
2. Three course advisers, each respectively for:
a. ND Programme
b. HND1
c. HND2
3. Departmental Projects/seminar coordinator
4. A Technologist that heads the laboratory unit
DR. JOSEPHAT C. ONWUSONYE, FIPMD.
(Senior Lecturer and Head of Department)
DURATION OF PROGRAMMES
i ND 2 YEARS
ii HND 2 YEARS
SCOPE /COURSES
CURRICULUM
The academic curriculum of the department is drawn in line with the existing curricula of other departments in Federal Polytechnic Nekede and the NBTE Syllabus. The first year National Diploma (ND) students take the common-foundation year courses, the second year students take the foundation courses in addition to introductory courses in Biological/Microbiological sciences and Biochemistry. The HND I and II students take specialized courses in Microbiology and Biochemistry with emphasis on technological applications.
COURSE DATA FOR THE DEPARTMENT
HND 1 FIRST SEMESTER
S/No | Course Code | Course Title | Contact Hours | L | P | Cr. Hr/ Wk | Cu |
1. | COM 311 | Computer Programming | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
2. | GLT 301/311 | Laboratory Management | 30 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
3. | GLT 302 | General Instrumentation | 45 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
4. | GLT 303 | Biological and Chemical Instrumentation | 75 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
5. | STM 311 | Bacteriology | 75 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
6. | STH 302 | Comparative Biochemistry | 45 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
7. | STH 303 | Biophysical Chemistry | 45 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
8. | GNS 301 | Use of English | 30 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
9. | STB 316 | Parasitology | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
10. | STH 311 | Biochemical Methods I | 75 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
HND II FIRST SEMESTER
S/No | Course Code | Course Title | Contact Hours | L | P | Cr. Hr/Wk | Cu |
1. | STH 401 | Nutritional Biochemistry | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
2. | STH 402 | Industrial Biochemistry | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
3. | STM 411 | Microbial Genetics | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
4. | STM 412 | Microbiology Techniques III | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
5. | STM 413 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
6. | GNS 401 | Communication in English | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
7. | SMB 401 | Seminar | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
8. | STM 414 | Medical Microbiology | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
9. | EED 413 | Entrepreneurship Education | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
10. | STC 326 | Research Methodology | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
HND I SECOND SEMESTER
S/N | COURSE CODE | COURE TITLE | CONTACT HOURS | L | P | CU |
1 | STH 304 STC 325 | Intermediary Metabolism Biochemistry for Chemists | 75 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
2 | STH 305 | Regulation of Cell Metabolism | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
3 | STM 312 | Microbiology Techniques I | 75 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
4 | STM 321 | Microbiology Techniques II | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
5 | STM 322 | Environmental Microbiology | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
6 | FST 122 | Food Microbiology | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
7 | GNS 302 | Communication in English | 30 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
8 | STM 325 | Immunology and Public Health | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
9 | STM 313 | Mycology | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
10 | STH 321 | Biochemical Methods II | 75 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
HND II SECOND SEMESTER
S/N | COURSE CODE | COURE TITLE | CONTACT HOURS | L | P | CU |
1 | STH 403 | Tissue Biochemistry | 45 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
2 | FST 416 | Industrial Microbiology | 90 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
3 | SMB 402 | Project | 135 | – | 6 | 6 |
4 | STH 413 | Biotech & Genetic Engineering | 60 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
5 | STH 404 | Forensic Biochemistry(HNDII MBC) Forensic Biochemistry(HNDII CHEM) | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
6 | STH 424 | Food Chemistry &Brewing | 60 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINABLE
(i) National Diploma (ND) in Science Laboratory Technology.
(ii) Higher National Diploma (HND) in Science Laboratory Technology (Microbiology / Biochemistry Option).
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
General Laboratory Techniques and Laboratory Management
SKILLS ACQUIRED
i)Ability to be innovative in the areas of Microbiology and Biochemistry development or improvement in terms of Management or improvement
ii) Capacity to translate and relate the knowledge acquired to Microbiology and Biochemistry related industries.
iii)Technological knowhow for creating new Biological and Biochemical products and improving on the existing ones.
JOB/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of Microbiology / Biochemistry will be expected or eligible to have employment opportunities in oil, water, Brewing, Pharmaceutical, Food, Beverages and other related industries. Their expertise would be required as Researchers, quality control and assurance officers.
In depth knowledge acquired will enable them to serve in the polytechnics as technologists and also in the society as environmental protection officers. Environmental impact assessors/pollution monitoring officers, Researchers engaged in finding solution to problems of pollution, oil spillage and waste management. The graduates would also be able to take up employment in forensic laboratories or establish themselves as private entrepreneurs.
PROFESSIONAL BODIES REGISTRABLE
Graduates of Microbiology/Biochemistry Department are eligible to register with
(i) National Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT)
(ii) Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (N.S.B.M.B)
(iii) Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST)
(iv)Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN)
(v) Institute of Chartered chemists of Nigeria (ICCON)
Record of past HODs:
S/N Name of HODs Period of service
1. Dr.(Mrs) Chika Unegbu 2011- 2015
2 Mr. Uzomba Nnamdi I. 2015- 2019
3. Dr. Josephat Chukwudi Onwusonye 2019 - 2023.
4. Mr Osuchukwu Chibuzo Obioma. 2023 - date
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