Introduction
The Biochemistry Department offers courses leading to the award of B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Biochemistry and the 2nd MBBS Professional Examination for Medicine and Surgery. Admission is by Entrance Examination (UTME) or Direct Entry for candidates who possess the relevant ‘A’ Level papers or equivalent. UTME candidates undergo a 4 – year degree programme and DE candidates a 3 – year programme.
Background, Philosophy and Objective
Biochemistry studies the chemical basis of life, and the reaction processes that sustain life. The biosphere harbours all the forms of life that exist in the flora and fauna of the earth; be they aquatic, terrestrial or cosmic. With this understanding, the frontiers of biochemistry are massive, and unimaginable in ideal perspective. Thus life, anywhere it exists, is sustained by biochemical reactions.
However, medical biochemistry encapsulates these studies, focusing on man, his health and diseases. It is understood that most disease conditions have biochemical basis. Besides, the pharmacotherapy of these diseases is predicated on the chemistry of the drugs and the biochemistry of the immune system. It is therefore imperative that those who study medicine and allied courses must be adequately trained and equipped to handle the emerging health challenges of the 21st century and beyond; as well as fit into the nascent advances in biochemistry and medical research.
Plant and microbial biochemistry have evolved very rapidly to the extent that most industrial and drug development processes would collapse without the biochemical contents. In the light of this assertion, be reminded of the contributions of biochemistry in chemotherapy, Bioenergy, bioremediation, genetically modified (GM) crops, foods and drugs, pesticides, herbicides; natural products, quality assurance, bionics in engineering-medicine, biochips in computer engineering, et cetera. Certainly, these would activate the thinking of students and researchers to acknowledge that we are engaged in a discipline with boundless frontiers and possibilities.
However, neither biochemistry nor any discipline, working in isolation can make any meaningful progress in the above areas. Part of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) policy on environment and health encourages interdisciplinary research collaborations in order to find lasting remedies to human, environmental, health and by extension, industrial challenges.
Physicians are usually overwhelmed by the demands of their practice, with little or no time for researches or teaching. We therefore need graduates that are trained and dedicated to handle researches and teaching of biochemistry.
Aims and Objectives of the Programme
From the foregoing, our aim is:
• To train and equip students/graduates with adequate and particulate understanding of biochemistry.
• To train graduates with sufficient knowledge of the molecular basis of man’s disease conditions, to be able to participate in finding solutions to health, environmental and industrial problems.
• To train and equip biochemists and medical professionals to:
reasonably participate in the discovery, control, prevention and eradication of human diseases.
contribute meaningfully in researches.
also train others, and contribute to community services.
have comprehensive knowledge in biochemistry and integrated research ventures so as to be self employed.
contribute fundamentally in the formulation of national and international health, environmental and industrial policies.
advance medicine as supported by the foundation laid on biochemistry, anatomy and physiology. With this in mind, our comprehensive programme in biochemistry will lay a better foundation for the students in their clinical studies and practice, enterprise, and other ventures.
Admission Requirements
UTME:
Candidates are expected to poses the Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) or its equivalent with credit passes in at least five (5) subjects, which are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English Language. The five credits must not be in more than two sittings. In addition to O/L requirements, candidates must pass the UTME of the year of admission and PUTME of the university obtaining at least a stipulated cut off score in each of the exams.
Direct Entry:
Candidates are required to obtain passes in the General Certificate of Education (‘A’ Level) or its equivalent in Chemistry and Biology or Botany Zoology and Physics or Mathematics including the O/L requirements.