The program objective is to provide Genetics students with instruction in current concepts and techniques of genetics as applied in modern research, then offer practical experience of experimental techniques, and provide a framework to develop skills to plan research and devise strategies to achieve specific goals. The course often acts as a springboard for our graduates seeking employment in molecular or biotechnological research, and provides an ideal qualification and set of skills for those aiming to apply for PhD programmes in related topics; some students have even continued their careers in the Department. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements laid down in the University Common regulations for Masters Degrees as spelled out in the School of Graduate Studies common Regulations
2. In addition, candidates should normally have a minimum of a B.Sc. Second Class, Lower division degree or its equivalent in Botany or related Plant Sciences from a recognized university.

 

 PROGRAMME DURATION

The duration of M.Sc. degree shall normally be two academic years.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

(i) The Masters Degree programme in Genetics shall, normally, consist of coursework, examination and thesis/project, normally extending over a period of two academic years distributed over four semesters of full time/part-time attendance provided that part-time attendance shall not exceed a period of four calendar years from the date of registration. 

(ii) The Masters degree in Genetics shall consist of a minimum of 14 units, and a maximum of 19 units of coursework, examination and thesis distributed over four semesters 

(iii) Courses are structured in units, where a unit is defined as a three-hour lecture or two hours of tutorials, or three hours of practical and 1 hour lecture session per week per semester. A semester is defined as fourteen teaching weeks, plus another two weeks of university examinations.

(iv) The candidate shall submit a research proposal to the DPGSC within 2 weeks of the third semester.

(v) The processing of the submitted research proposal from the DPGSC to School of Graduate Studies shall take a maximum of four (4) weeks.

(vi) In the second year, the student shall undertake a supervised research project in accordance with the School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations and the Department of Botany requirements.

1. Students found deficient in certain core courses shall be required to audit and pass examinations in the pertinent courses.

Programme Courses

 

FIRST YEAR FIRST SEMESTER

SBT 801 Methods and Techniques in Botany

SBT 802 Biometry, Experimentation and Methodology

SBT 803 Herbarium Practice

SBT 804 Applied Ecology

SBT 805 Special Topics

SBT 822 Biochemical and Molecular Genetics

SBT 823 Fungal Genetics

SBT 824 Developmental Genetics

 

FIRST YEAR SECOND SEMESTER

 

SBT 825 Population and Quantitative Genetics

SBT 826 Mutations

SBT 827 Ecological and Behavioural Genetics

SBT 828 Applied Genetics

SBT 829 Microbial Genetics

SBT 836 Plant Breeding

SBT 837 Biotechnology

SBT 862 Research Methodology and Proposal writing

SECOND YEAR FIRST SEMESTER

SBT 899 Research Project (Data collection)

SECOND YEAR SECOND SEMESTER 

SBT 899 Research Project (Data analysis and thesis writing).