Biochemistry Courses in Nigeria (Postgraduate Options)

Upon obtaining a BSc. Degree in Biochemistry, many Nigerian universities offer Postgraduate Programmes in Biochemistry in order to further train students in the practical aspect of the field.

Job opportunities abound for graduates of Biochemistry in Nigeria because many sectors make extensive use of the services offered by Biochemists. These sectors include government agencies, academic institutions, hospitals, pharmaceutical, Industries food companies, etc.

Biochemistry Courses in Nigeria

The Master of Science (MSc) program is awarded after a candidate has successfully gone through the postgraduate programs.

In the postgraduate studies, students take further classes in other areas of biochemistry. These may include such as macromolecules, enzyme structure, and function, chemical processes such as metabolism, biochemical reactions, and genetics, structure and function of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, biological processes such as growth, metabolism, reproduction and heredity, nucleic acids and biomolecules, structure and function of living things at the molecular level. The student is prepared for the application of the knowledge gained in these fields mentioned above to various purposes where it is required; in medical science, life science and other fields.

Biochemistry Courses in Nigeria (Postgraduate Options)

This article covers the various Postgraduate study options open to candidates of Biochemistry. Read on below:

Duration

The duration of Postgraduate studies in the field of Biochemistry is almost the same in all Nigerian Universities. For a Postgraduate Diploma programme (PGD), students spend one year while for a Masters programme (MSc), students spend two years.

Courses for the Postgraduate Diploma include the following:

  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Physical chemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Biochemical regulations
  • Cell structure and organization
  • Organic chemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Genetics
  • Molecular theory
  • Principles of Nutrition
  • Food Chemistry
  • Nutrition and Disease
  • Nutrition through Life Circle
  • Research Methods and Techniques in Nutrition
  • Nutrition Seminar
  • Extension and Rural Sociology
  • Basic Statistics and Application to Nutrition
  • Food Processing and Preservation
  • Nutrition and Environmental Toxicology
  • Nutrition and Metabolism
  • Community and Public Health Nutrition
  • Field Work
  • Research Project
  • Nutritional Application of Food Composition Database
  • Nutritional Support to Pediatric Patients

Courses offered in the Master’s programme include:

  • Enzyme Chemistry
  • Thermodynamics
  • Physical Biochemistry of Macromolecules
  • Regulatory Mechanism of Biological Systems
  • Principles of Nutrition
  • Scientific Basis & Practice of Nutrition
  • Chemistry & Function of Biological Membranes
  • Chemistry of Foods
  • Food Processing & Preservation
  • Nutrition & Environmental Toxicology
  • Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Nutrition & Metabolism
  • Nutrition & Disease
  • Nutrition through the Life Cycle
  • Community & Public Health Nutrition
  • Research Methods & Techniques in Nutrition
  • Basic Statistics & Application to Nutrition
  • Technical Paper Writing
  • Experimental Techniques
  • Aspects of Practical Teaching and Demonstration
  • Nutritional Application of Food Composition Databases
  • Extension & Rural Sociology
  • Nutritional Support to Pediatric Patients
  • Advanced Bio-statistics
  • General Biochemistry and Bioinformatics
  • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Enzymology and Protein Biochemistry
  • Plant, Food and Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Lipid and Lipoprotein Biochemistry
  • Pharmacological Biochemistry and Toxicology
  • Immunology and Immunochemistry
  • Membrane Bioenergetics and Environmental Biochemistry
  • General Biochemistry and Bioinformatics
  • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Enzymology and Protein Biochemistry
  • Plant, Food and Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Lipid and Lipoprotein Biochemistry
  • Pharmacological Biochemistry and Toxicology
  • Immunology and Immunochemistry
  • Membrane Bioenergetics and Environmental Biochemistry
  • Biochemical Methods

Job opportunities available for Graduates of Biochemistry

In Nigeria, there is an acute shortage of biochemists to engage in the study of tropical products such as soils, fertilizers, feedstuffs, insecticides, plant and animal hormones, plant growth regulators, herbicides, raw materials obtained from animal, plant and microbial sources which includes foods beverages, cosmetics pharmaceutical industries, etc.

There is also a need for trained Biochemists to conduct studies on tropical products such as hides and skin, natural fibres, timbers, gums, resins, and other forest products with particular reference to the biochemical problems connected with production, utilization, storage of these products. Other issues include bio-deterioration, local industrial undertaking GSP.

Career options for Biochemists include:

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Healthcare Scientist
  • Clinical Research Scientist
  • Nanotechnologist

General Admission Requirements for Postgraduate

 For Postgraduate degree in Biochemistry, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and/or Molecular Biology or any other similar course with a minimum result of a second class lower division from any recognized University.

Candidates who have an MBBS degree and FIMLT Clinical Biochemistry with at least two years post qualification experience may also be considered for admission for a postgraduate degrees.

Usually, the selection process is based on the quality of the academic transcript of the first degree.

Candidates may also be required to take a concessional written entrance examination and subsequent interviews.

M.Phil/Ph.D. Programmes:

M.Phil/Ph.D. Biochemistry

Entry Requirements:

  • Candidates seeking admission for a Masters of Philosophy or a Doctorate degree in Biochemistry must have an academic Master’s degree in disciplines relevant to Biochemistry such as Public Health and Sanitary Microbiology Biochemistry and/or Molecular Biology. In addition to this, candidates are required to have returned a minimum CGPA of 4.00 and thesis score not lower than 60% or Weighted Score Average (WSA) of 60% and above in the final assessment result for the Master’s Degree as well as 60% and above in the Research Project.
  • In some instances, candidates of Ph.D. register for Phil and if satisfactory performance is obtained, they can have their program subsequently upgraded to a Ph.D. registration
  • A candidate seeking admission into the postgraduate Biochemistry must also possess five credit passes, including English and Mathematics and other relevant subjects at “O” Level
  • Candidates seeking admission into a Master’s Degree or Postgraduate Diploma for Biochemistry must have a first or second class Honours Degree at any recognized or accredited University.

The first degree must be in a discipline relevant or related to the programme to Biochemistry

  • Note that, for all admissions, degree result transcripts are required.

 

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