Bachelor of Science (Biological)

DESCRIPTION:

The Bachelor of Science programme offered by Makerere University has been in existence since the Faculty of Science was established in 1927. This three-year study programme has evolved over time, and admission onto this programme has also evolved from a 3:2:2 subject combinations (i.e three subjects in first year, and two subjects in second and third years, respectively) to a 2:2:2 subject combinations (i.e 2 subjects in all the three years) under the Collegiate system.

The title of the program is Bachelor of Science with the programme code BSCI. The specialization subjects offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology and the various departments in the College of Natural Sciences are Botany, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology.

SKILLS ACQUISITION:

The revised Bachelor of Science programme which is housed under the School of Biosciences, is intended to contribute to the Vision 2040 by providing high quality education based on modern scientific teaching and research techniques, and to produce highly trained scientists in the various disciplines to meet the ever-growing challenges of a dynamic world in the pure sciences. In addition, the revised BSCI programme will offer practical solutions to problems affecting humanity in applied sciences.

The Bachelor of Science programme offered by the Makerere University is aimed at providing relevant or demand-driven courses in basic Science, producing innovative and well-informed, employable and adaptable graduates with broad skill base and capacity for life-long learning and research to tackle national, regional and global challenges. The specific objectives are to:

1) Impart high level knowledge and skills in basic sciences disciplines so that graduates can effectively contribute to national development in a wide range of fields.

2) Impart up to date research skills that will enable students solve emerging problems in society, industry and other fields of science and technology.

3) Provide students with research management skills that will lay a foundation for wage employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship.

4) Provide students with opportunities for Field/internship placement so that they gain hands-on exposure in industrial or research laboratory settings to further boost their career prospects.

5) Provide students with the knowledge and skills base that will enable them undertake higher degrees and careers in basic and applied Sciences disciplines.

6) Equip students with knowledge and skills for safe laboratory practices.

Programme Outcomes

At the end of the three years training under the Bachelor of Science programme, it is expected that:

1) A critical mass of scientists who can think independently but work synergistically with other professionals will be trained to address national and global challenges.

2) Graduates with up-to-date knowledge and research skills will be produced, with capacity to solve emerging problems in society, industry and other fields of science and technology.

3) Graduates with research management skills and innovative thinking to create new jobs (wage employment, self-employment) and also become entrepreneurs will be produced.

4) Graduates with hands-on experience to harness the employment opportunities in the Public and Private sectors will be produced.

5) Graduates with the pre-requisite knowledge and skills to undertake higher degrees’ research and training in basic and applied Sciences disciplines will be produced.

6) Well trained graduates with knowledge and skills to work safely in a laboratory setting will be produced.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS:

The Bachelor of Science programme offers students a wide range of specialities with diverse subject combinations and unique course units that enable the students to be marketable in a wide variety of scientific fields. Our students acquire knowledge and skills that allow them to work in Research Institutions, Drug Companies, Science Based and Food Industries, Teaching Institutions, and in the Health Services Laboratories among others.

Students offering Botany, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Zoology subjects can  readily find employment in research organizations such as National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), National Crop Resources Research Institute (NACRRI), National Animal and Genetic Resource centre (NAGRC); Health related institutions such as Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL), Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), Pharmaceutical Industries (Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries & ABACUS, Quality Chemicals Limited), Cosmetics, Foods and Beverages Industries such as breweries, soft drinks, milk processing (Nile Breweires, EABL, Coca Cola, JESA/Diary Corporations etc.), Oil and Gas, Product and service industry, Forensic Departments (Police, Government Analytical Laboratories/DEGAL), Educational Institutions (e.g. Universities), Government Ministries (Water and Environment, Energy and Mineral Development, Tourism and Wildlife, Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries), as well as self employment.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Direct Entry

The applicant must obtain at least two principal A – level passes in science subjects: chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, geography, agriculture and economics.

 Bachelor of Science (Biological) essential subjects

ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS	RELEVANT SUBJECTS	DESIRED
Biology and Chemistry	One best done of Mathematics, Physics, Agriculture	General Paper, Sub-Maths or Computer Studies

 

Degree Holders

Any Degree Holder with a relevant scientific background can also be admitted to the programme.

Diploma Holders

Holders of a credit diploma from any relevant, recognised & accredited institutions by NCHE in science-based subjects with a bias in physical sciences, biological sciences or engineering may be admitted to the programme. The applicants should have at least a second-class diploma.

Mature Age

Admission through the Makerere University Mature Age Entry Scheme is after passing a mature entry examination in aptitude and any one of the following: chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics economics or geography.