BACHELOR OF SCIENCES HONOURS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (HBEZ)
| Module Code | Module Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HBEZ101 | Cytology and Histology | This module introduces basic prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, plasma membrane and membrane-bound organelles. It also introduces students to basic histology of epithelial and connective tissue, as well as equipping them with basic microscopy, cytology and histology techniques. |
| HBEZ102 | Animal Biodiversity | The module aims to briefly outline the grade of organisation in the Animal Kingdom. It also explains the evolution of the 2 main lines of animals (vertebrates and invertebrates). |
| HBEZ104 | Genetics 1 | The purpose of this module is to provide an in-depth background in all areas of classical Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics and population and evolutionary genetics. Students who successfully complete this course will gain sufficient basic knowledge to master advanced topics in genetics. |
| HBEZ105 | Plant Biodiversity | The course provides an understanding of plant biology through critical examination of facts and principles of organismal biology, and relates this to everyday life. It also lays the framework for specialized course options in plant biology. The content of this course will lay the foundation for later courses in plant biology and provide the basic understanding of plant biology. |
| HBEZ106 |
Microbiology 1 |
Fundamentals of microbiology, including microbial structure and function, nutrition and growth, death and control. Importance and applications of major microbial groups: Viruses and Monera – the diversity among the viruses and in the kingdom monera. Fungi – the diversity among the fungi including the division eumycota and the lichens |
| HBEZ107 |
Methods in Biology |
Methods in Biology is a module in the Biological Sciences Program dedicated to train students to apply sound experimental investigation and analyses to biological questions. The course provides students with a sound foundation of what it takes to become a good scientist. It inculcates scientific thinking and culture, invoke awareness of the natural environment and how to use powers of observation to formulate research questions, develop research proposals, execute the proposals, write-up the results and present them to a scientific audience. |
| HBEZ108 |
Molecular Biology 1 |
This module looks at how inorganic atoms and molecules affect the structures and functions of macromolecules in found in living organisms. It also looks at the how the basic subunits of macromolecules affects the overall structure and functions of their respective. How the four macromolecules DNA, RNA, proteins and Lipid form organelles. |
| HBEZ109 |
Ecology I |
This module covers interactions among organisms and the environment in which they live. It covers 5 main ecological components namely; the species concept and models of speciation, interactions amongst organisms, population ecology, community ecology, and ecological effects of anthropogenic activities and natural resource conservation. |
| HBEZ110 |
Biometrics 1 |
This module will provide a practical introduction to analysis of biological data. Basic statistical techniqueswill be covered, including descriptive statistics, elements of probability, hypothesis testing, sampling, analysis of categorical data and estimation. Emphasis will be on how to choose appropriate statistical tests and how to assess statistical significance. To visualize data and carry out statistical testing, students will learn R, a powerful programming language for statistical computing and graphics. |
| HBEZC201 | Biometrics 2 | This module is an extension of Biometrics 1 which will provide further practical to analysis of biological data. Further statistical techniques will be covered, including linear regression, multiple regression, ANOVA and non-parametric tests. Emphasis will be on how to choose appropriate statistical tests and how to assess statistical significance. |
| HBEZG201 | Bacteriology | This module explores the history of bacteriology, methods in microbiology, including principles of aseptic techniques, sterilization and axenic culture. Review of bacterial cell structure. Bacterial diversity, including methods and criteria used for identification and classification. Basic principles of bacterial nutrition. Bacterial metabolic pathways – aerobic and anaerobic pathways. Chemoautotrophy and photosynthesis |
| HBEZG202 | Immunology | Specific and non-specific immunity; cell mediated and humoral immunity; the chemistry, genetics, and structure of antigen receptors: Immunoglobin MHC Class I and II; Cell-Cell Interactions in Specific Immune Response; Lymphocytes and Antigen Recognitions; Antigen Processing and Presentation; function and genetics; ontogeny and functions of cells of the immune system including. B-cells, T-cells, macrophages, and other white blood cells; compliment system; cytokines; Autoimmunity; Transplantation; Hypersensitivity; Immunodeficiencies; Immunization; signal transduction. |
| HBEZG203 | Population & Quantitative Genetics | Honours in Biological Sciences. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the principles and applications of population and quantitative genetics. Study factors affecting genetic and genotypic frequencies and methods of estimating genetic and nongenetic variance, heritabilities and breeding values. Discussing the roles of mating systems and selection procedures in producing superior genetic populations. |
| HBEZB201 | Plant Form and Function | The Plant Form and Function module is intended to provide necessary background to modules in plant sciences, in particular Systematic Botany, Evolutionary Botany, Applied Botany, Plant Ecology and Plant Eco-physiology. |
| HBEZB202 | Plant Physiology | Plant Physiology is a modulethat examines some major topics in the field of Plant Physiology, an area of Plant Biology that focuses on the functioning of cells, tissues, organs and systems in a variety of photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria, algae, non-vascular and vascular plants. |
| HBEZB203 | Pteridophytes & Gymnosperms | This module explores the origin of plants and their key characteristics, and considers key plant adaptations to the land environment. The module further explores the diversity of the non-flowering vascular plant group. Students are provided with an overview of the Charophyaeta and Bryophyta as a basis for plant origin and evolution. The module closely links with later modules in Angiosperm Diversity, plant Systematics and Evolutionary Botany |
| HBEZZ202 | Tetrapod Biology 1 | The module is intended to make students aware of the diversity in tetrapods while highlighting the similarities and differences in their body structure and functioning. Highlighting adaptive traits will enable students to understand the importance of habitat type to the success of tetrapod animals. After the module the students will be able to identify some of the key and adaptive features of the various groups of tetrapods. They will also be able to state the evolutionary linkages within and between the tetrapods groups. The student would also be able to identify major the internal and external organs of the tetrapods and to use these features for identification. |
| HBEZZ203 | Entomology 1 | The purpose of this module is to introduce under graduate students to the diverse field of entomology. Entomology has vast significance in agriculture, medicine and veterinary. |
| HBEZE201 | Ecology 2 | The module is offered to teach BSc Honours students in depth about ecosystems and their functioning. The module is a general ecology course and presents the basic concepts of ecology with balanced treatment of plant and animal examples. Topics include the interactions among individuals of a population, interactions in their abiotic environment, and interactions with other species. Also discussed are growth, regulation, diversity, and stability of populations, and the interactions among populations at the community and ecosystems levels. |
| HBEZE202 | Plant Ecology | The module will focus on the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of plant population, factors that contribute to the composition and diversity of plant communities across the landscape and in the same community over time and ecosystem ecology (global change). Topics to be covered include: distribution and abundance of plant populations, life history strategies, competition, herbivory, population growth (demography, models), vegetation and climate, succession, community composition and dynamics, structure of plant community, plant –water relations, biological invasions, disturbances (fire), regional and global diversity patterns, global change and vegetation. |
| HBEZE203 | Ecoregions | This module is offered as one of the options of the BSc. (Hons.) in Biological Sciences. Students who chose this option will be interested in land management for sustainability. At the end of the course the students will understand the importance of the interaction of climate, geology and geographical situation on the biodiversity of the global eco-regions, so that they grasp the complexity and fragility of the systems with which they will work. |
| HBEZC202 | Cell Biology | This module is designed to provide a thorough introduction to cell biology. The material will be presented at a level suitable for undergraduates doing Bsc Honours in Biological Sciences. |
| HBEZG204 | Mycology | Mycology is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the biology, diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of the true fungi (Kingdom Fungi) and those fungal-like organisms which are traditionally studied in mycology courses but are now known to belong to the Kingdoms Protoctista (Protists) and Stramenopila (Chromista). |
| HBEZG205 | Virology | This modulebuilds upon the virology concepts introduced in the microbiology course taken in Part I. It provides further theoretical and practical concepts which enhance students’ understanding of the different virus groups, their replication cycles, dissemination modes and control approaches, as well as the pathogenesis of specific viruses and the host immune response. The course will particularly benefit those taking courses in other microbiology subdisciplines such as bacteriology, mycology and industrial microbiology. Career and employment opportunities are in the pharmaceutical and food industries, in plant quarantine, plant protection and biotechnological research institutions as well as in teaching. |
| HBEZG206 | Molecular Biology 2 | The prerequisite for this course is Introduction to Molecular Biology I which is offered to first year honours students. This course is offered for Honours in Biology |
| HBEZB204 | Plant Taxonomy | The module provides introductory knowledge on the theory and methodology of plant naming and basic floristics to allow them to do independent research in the field of taxonomy and ecology. |
| HBEZB205 | Diversity of Angiosperms | The module surveys the origin, range of variation and key characteristics of flowering plants. It explores the evolution and diversification of the angiosperm group. Further, it considers the diversity of reproductive structures, embryogenesis and reproductive systems in the group. Principles of identification and construction of taxonomic keys are introduced. Families of economic and ecological importance are explored. Key divisions of the angiosperm group and their relationships are considered. |
| HBEZB206 | Zimbabwean Flora | To introduce students to Zimbabwean plants to create awareness on local plant diversity and distribution. The module will be important to students with interests in pursuing careers in ecology, conservation, biodiversity or biosystematics. It is also suitable for students from other sectors like agriculture, pharmacy, biochemistry who require basic knowledge of the local plants. |
| HBEZZ204 | Invertebrate Biology | The purpose of this moduleis to introduce under graduate students to the diverse biology and ecology of the main invertebrate phyla which include protozoa, porifera, coelenterate, ctenophora, platyhelminnthes, nematode, annelida, arthropoda and mollusca. The course meets the needs of undergraduate biology students who wish to pursue a career in Biological Sciences with a particular interest in parasitology and invertebrate biology. |
| HBEZZ205 | Ornithology 1 | The purpose of the module is to introduce basic ornithological concepts to students pursuing an honours degree in Biological Sciences. It is the foundation course for Ornithology II that will be taken at fourth year level. |
| HBEZZ206 | Histology 2 | Through observation of the four basic tissue types, the way in which they are integrated to form organs and how organs are combined to form systems, this course will introduce the physical description of normal tissue at the light microscope level, while looking at research examples and techniques used to investigate abnormal tissues. |
| HBEZZ207 | Parasitology 1 | This module introduces the student to the fundamentals of animal parasitology, as a base for future specialization in parasitology and histopathology. It is one of the zoology major courses at Level II and as a prerequisite, students should have passed Invertebrate Biology in order to take Parasitology I. |
| HBEZE204 | Global Climate Change | The module focuses on evidence of climate change in the past, modern climate variability, and the range of theories and arguments regarding potential climate change in the future. We will look at the major controls on climate variability at a range of temporal scales. Topics include the carbon cycle, solar orbital variations, monsoon variations, greenhouse warming, ozone depletion, El Niño-La Niña and ocean-atmosphere feedbacks. |
| HBEZE205 | Ecotoxicology | Knowledge of the way biological systems are impacted by disturbances, such as pollution, and methods to assess disturbance effects is crucial to the scientific management and conservation of ecosystems. This module aims to provide students with an appreciation of the diversity of impact of disturbances, particularly chemical pollution, on biological organisations varying from the cellular to ecosystem levels of complexity, to acquaint the students with common methods and approaches for the monitoring, detection and assessment of impact, and introduce students to contemporary ideas in restoration ecology. |
| HBEZE206 | Animal Ecology | The purpose of the module is to teach the ecological concepts influencing mammal populations and communities within the savanna ecosystems. The course introduces fundamental ecological practical skills that may be used by students in their research projects in third and fourth year levels. |
| HBEZE207 | Environmental Impact Assessment | The purpose of the module is to impart knowledge on the basic principles underlying conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources, sound environmental practices and environmental risk and impact assessment techniques. |
| HBEZG401 | Applied Genetics | This module is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the applications of genetics at the molecular level, at the individual level and at the population level. The material will be presented at a level suitable for undergraduates doing Bsc Honours in Biological Sciences. The focus of the course is on the basis of effective use of genetics for practical improvement of plants and animals with an emphasis on livestock species. |
| HBEZG402 | Biotechnology | The module aims to give the student a broad overview of various fields Biotechnology and the techniques used. The prerequisite for this course is Introduction to Molecular Biology I which is offered to first year honours students. This course is offered for Honours in Biology. Knowledge of DNA and RNA, genetics, and molecular cloning; appreciation of the place of the discipline in present day molecular bioscience. |
| HBEZG403 | Environmental Microbiology | The module aims to give the student a broad overview on the different habitats microbes can be found in, the role of microbes in waste disposal, sewage treatment water treatment, bioremediation, and biofilms. It focuses on the role and importance of microorganisms found in various environments. |
| HBEZG406 | Genetic Control Mechanisms | The module gives the student a broad overview on various levels of gene expression and regulation in prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses. Students acquire experimental techniques use manipulate gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. |
| HBEZB401 | Evolutionary Botany | The moduleaddresses aspects of plant evolution including variation, natural selection, breeding systems, species and speciation, adaptive radiation, co-evolution, and systematics. The module is directed at students interested in evolutionary biology, plant ecology, and systematics. |
| HBEZB402 | Pollination and Reproductive Biology | The module proposes to develop students’ understanding in plant biology through critical examination of facts and principles of organismal biology and relate this to everyday life. It explores the evolution of pollination, and considers key plant adaptations to pollination, pollination syndromes, pollinator attraction and mating strategies. The course further considers floral deception and mimicry, sexual polymorphisms, breeding systems, patterns of gene flow and propagule dispersal. It links with modules in Evolutionary Botany, Plant Systematics, Economic Botany and Plant Conservation Biology. Laboratory and field practicals complement lecture topics, and are focused on breeding systems, reproductive indexes and pollination energetic. |
| HBEZB403 | Plant Conservation Biology | The module will examine the factors that cause plants to be rare or imperilled, and the strategies employed to improve their long-term viability. The module will cover aspects on preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration and enhancement of the natural environment. Throughout the course emphasis will be on the relevance of plant conservation in Zimbabwe using local examples and where possible case studies. |
| HBEZZ401 | Ichthyology | The module will provide an introduction to the systematics, biology and ecology of fish. The course will provide skills that will enable students to venture into working with animals, research and teaching many aspects of this organism. This modulehas direct linkage and is a prerequisite to the more applied courses, Aquaculture and Fisheries Biology. |
| HBEZZ402 | Tetrapod Biology 2 | This module aims to further the study of Tetrapods by exploring the ecology and life history of specific animals. This course has direct linkage to the Tetrapod biology, Ecology, Rangeland ecology, Animal Physiology and Comparative Physiology courses. |
| HBEZZ403 | Parasitology & Histopathology | This module covers advanced and applied topics in animal parasitology such as immunoparasitology, molecular systematics of parasites, parasites as biological tags, as well as histopathological diagnosis of diseased animal tissues. The prerequisite courses include Level II Cell Biology, Histology II and Parasitology I. |
| HBEZZ405 | Entomology 2 | The module introduces students to the modern theory, concepts and practices of applied entomology, placing particular emphasis on cultural (or ecological) control, chemical control, biological control and relatively novel management strategies, and how the components may be integrated. |
| HBEZZ404 | Ornithology 2 | The aim of this module is for students to comprehend some metabolic and physiological processes in birds and the associated organs. The students must comprehend the following concepts; Digestive system; Respiratory system; Thermoregulation; Circulatory system; Excretion; Reproductive structures; Skeletal structure and designs for locomotion and flight; Molts and Plumages. |
| HBEZE401 | Fisheries Biology | The module will provided basic skills in fisheries management by studying the essential aspects of fisheries biology and the management issues and tools. This course has direct linkage to the Ichthyology, Ecology, Animal Physiology and Evolution. The Ichthyology course is a prerequisite for this course. |
| HBEZE402 | Lotic and Lentic Systems Ecology | The module is offered to teach BSc Honours students in depth about lotic ecosystems and their management. Lotic systems are flowing aquatic ecosystems such as rivers and streams. This module is an advanced level course that aims to train students to apply what they have learnt to real scenarios. The course aims to train students to understand processes which govern lotic ecosystems and shoe how these processes are linked to chemistry, geology, physics, biology and social sciences |
| HBEZE403 | Wildlife Ecology | The aim of the module is to give ecology students theoretical and conceptual foundations for contemporary understanding of wildlife ecology and its application in wildlife conservation and management. |
| HBEZE405 | Aquaculture | Provide students with skills to start and manage and aquaculture production venture. The module will cover the various aspects in aquaculture namely species used, production units type, feed, feeding and growth, fish health as well as the marketing of the produce. |
| HBEZE406 | Wetlands Ecology | The module will provide students with a broad understanding of the wetlands ecosystems with an emphasis on ecological principles required to understand how they function and how they are affected by human activities. |
| HBEZG404 | Industrial Microbiology | To give a student a broad overview of how microbial biochemical reactions, and genetic engineering, growth media, equipment design are exploited by various industries which include food industry, pharmaceutical and alcohol industry. Students entering the fields such as biotechnology, and food processing industry. |
| HBEZG405 | Plant Pathology | The module aims at providing students with an understanding of plant disease, causing agents, basic principles of plant pathology and demonstrating how the course fits in disciplines of crop production, forestry and horticulture. |