The course emphasises the basic concepts in endocrinology focusing on hormones and their structure, biosynthesis, secretion, regulation and control. Other aspects of the course deal with the mechanism of signal transduction and the role of hormones in signal transduction. Also included are the methods of studying hormones and hormonal disorders. The pharmacological effects of hormones and hormone therapy will be treated.
The course is designed to give students an opportunity to do research in enzyme kinetics. Students will be made to carry out a mini project that makes use of enzyme kinetics principles for them to appreciate the application of enzymology in everyday life. Students will also be expected to complete their training with 4-6 weeks laboratory internship during the semester break.
This course is a continuation of BCH 212. The main focus is on the use of UV/visible, infrared, fluorimetry, circular dichroism, flame photometry, electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and microscopy methods. The course also provides basic concepts in the application of radiometric techniques in biochemical research. The course will also focus on detection, purification and identification of macromolecules. Chromatography, homogenisation, centrifugation methods and high-throughput separation systems will be discussed. Other topics to be covered include spectroscopy, polarimetry, titrations, colorimetry, and flame photometry.
The course focuses on detection, purification and identification of macromolecules. Emphasis is laid on the theory and application of diffusion, membrane filtration and dialysis (Donan equilibrium) gel permeation chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, centrifugation methods and high-throughput separation systems.
The course aims at providing students with theory and the practical knowledge in physical methods in biology. The course begins with the general principles of analytical biochemistry but the main focus is on the physical characterization of biological macromolecules. Here, the emphasis is on the use of UV/visible, infrared, fluorimetry, circular dichroism, flame photometry, electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and microscopy methods. The course also provides basic concepts in the application of radiometric techniques in biochemical research.
This course covers topics such as structure of some organic molecules, physical and chemical properties, synthesis of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, alcohol, amines and their derivatives.
This course introduces students to practical preparation, separation, purification and identification of organic compounds
Students will learn how to prepare and keep laboratory reports. They will also be exposed to techniques in aqueous and organic solution preparation of biological compounds, homogenisation, centrifugation, protein/DNA extraction, acid/base titrations, conductivity measurements, spectroscopy, chromatography, electrophoresis, and enzyme assays. Students will complete and submit their laboratory reports before they leave the laboratory in each practical session.
Each student is assigned a research topic of relevance to social development and presents a dissertation in writing
This course examines the role of Agriculture in economic development. It discusses the concept of development. Other elements discussed include the problems of agricultural development, resource mobilisation and use, principles of agricultural development policy and agricultural planning.