Biology

Biology Department

About

A Biology unit was recognized as part of Science Teachers Training Program (STTP) of the then Alemaya College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts from 1954 – 1984, and had been offering Diploma in teaching Biology for Junior Secondary Schools. Then after, it has been continued as a section of the former Division of Natural and Social Sciences (DNSS) of the then Alemaya Agricultural University in offering introductory courses to agriculture students until 1996. The Biology unit was then grown to department level as the former DNSS was upgraded to a full-fledged Faculty of Education in 1996 following the transformation of the then MizanTepi University Agricultural University into a multi-disciplinary institution of higher learning (Mizan Tepi Univesity, which is renamed as Mizan Tepi University) since May 1994.

Lorem ipsum dolIn 1996, the Department of Biology has launched its first undergraduate trainings in Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Biology in regular and summer in-service training program, respectively with the objective of producing competent graduates with the required biological knowledge, transferable skills; and good attitude and professional ethics to work in High Schools. Since 1996 the Department of Biology….
In 2007, the department has launched a revised curriculum for B.Sc. degree program in Biology on a regular basis based on the outcome of a need assessment and feasibility study. However, in light of the recent changes made in the educational policy, since the Ministry of Education showed interest to implement the add-on instead of the integrated approach of training educationalists, the department of biology revised again this curriculum and introduced nationally harmonized curriculum for B.Sc. degree program in Biology as of September 2009.
In accordance with the growth of a country’s industries as well as research institutions, educational needs change from time to time. Currently, in Ethiopia, industries, research, health and educational institutions are steadily growing. This has created ample opportunities for biologists to play a role in the country’s development. Their contribution will, however, greatly depend on the quality of education they receive in universities. The recent need assessment and feasibility study made by the department in this regard clearly indicated the presence of a deep desire for training research and project oriented applied biologists and biology educators (educationalist) that are having a powerful analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. This necessitated among others upgrading the knowledge and skills of biologists trained at a B.Sc. and B.Ed. levels to M.Sc. and M.Ed. levels to meet the demands of trained manpower in development and production sectors of the country.
To this end, post-graduate programs mainly focusing on demanded areas of Biology, viz, Biotechnology, Genetics, Microbiology, Parasitology, Entomology, Botanical Science, Plant Physiology and Ecology, Animal Physiology and Ecology, Fisheries and Aquatic Science and Biological Science Education are designed in the department to meet the country’s increasing need for highly skilled and competent biologist and biology educator that can work in education, research and health institutions and as well as in various industries. In addition, these new programs are intended to provide better and ample job opportunities for post-graduate students in industries, research organizations, health and educational institutions.
In 2004, the Department of Biology has begun its first postgraduate training program, Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Biology both in regular and summer in-service training programs. Currently, the Department of Biology is offering B.Sc. and B.Ed. undergraduate programs; and four M.Sc. programs (Biotechnology, Genetics, Microbiology and Applied Biology) and one M.Ed. in Biology program, in regular and summer in-service training programs.

Program Structure

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Master of Science in Biology