This course introduces students to the basic anatomy and fundamental mechanisms involved in mammalian physiological functions. It includes a study of the structure and function of the organ systems involved in digestion, transport, respiration, co-ordination, excretion, reproduction, support and locomotion.
Principles of homeostasis will be emphasized.
This course covers basic plant processes including photosynthesis, respiration, fermentation and bioenergetics. Other concepts and topics to be discussed include translocation of organic compounds, germination and dormancy, stomatal physiology and plant growth regulators.
This course reviews the taxonomy, functional anatomy and biology of the protochordates, cyclostomes, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. It also reviews the origins of chordates and their evolutionary history and provides a survey of embryonic development in the chordates.
The course involves extensive practical work in which live and preserved animals will be used for illustrations.
The first part of the course reviews the diversity of micro-organisms including Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi and Protozoa. Their importance in nature and effects on man will be emphasized. The course discusses the uses of microbes – both beneficial and adverse.
The second part of the course examines heterospecific associations with special emphasis on parasitism. To include the life cycles and control measures against some common parasites.
Students are introduced to Polygenes and the Hardy-Weinberg law. The latter is illustrated by sickle cell anaemia, melanism in moths, drug resistance, insecticide resistance and mimicry in butterflies. The course also examines the concept of evolution and the distribution of organisms in time and space.
It also reviews the theories of evolution, natural selection and evidence of evolutionary processes: fossils, geographical distribution, comparative anatomy, vestigial structures, molecular biology and embryology. The origin of Man and the future of Man on earth are also discussed.
The course examines environmental factors and their effects on the distribution and abundance of organisms. It discusses the structure and dynamic aspects of populations; population interactions and regulatory mechanisms; concepts of community and the ecosystem; energy flow in ecosystems; trophic levels, and human ecology linked to the field.
This course presents birds both as a unique group and as representative of vertebrates. The course also emphasizes adaptation, ecology and behavior of birds and introduces students to methods used in modern ornithology. Current views of the systematic relationships among birds and the evolutionary history of birds are considered.
Ecomorphological adaptation to flight in relation to behaviour, migration, navigation and vocalization are discussed. Social and mating systems including territoriality, foraging and flocking, coloniality, mating and reproduction shall be studied. Principles of bird conservation and endangered bird species management shall be discussed.
This course uses selected examples of algae, fungi, bryophytes and pteridophytes to illustrate the wide variation in the general features, structure and life histories of cryptogams. The evolutionary trends within and between groups are also discussed
The course is designed to introduce students to the concept and levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. The threats to global biodiversity and conservation strategies will be discussed.
The course also introduces students to the principles and laws of Systematics. Some methods and practical approaches in Taxonomy will also be emphasised e.g. morphometry, the use of keys and isozyme analysis.
A basic course which introduces students to the gross morphological characteristics of gymnosperms and angiosperms; both the vegetative and reproductive plant body are discussed. Other aspects of the course include pollination mechanisms and agents; fruit and seed formation; growth meristems: primary and secondary growth; ecological anatomy.
