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KILIMANJARO YETU
Academic Programmes August 29, 2026

Bachelor of Science in Biology

August 29, 20266 min read

Programme Description

The Bachelor of Science in Biology programme is expected to meet the demand of stakeholders including students, public service, business industry, research, and training institutions dealing with biological sciences. The programme provides specializations in three key areas, namely, Conservation Biology, Plant Sciences, and Zoology. At the same time, the programme maintains flexibility through a wide range of elective courses in each semester from semester two in the second year. The courses have been prepared for improving clarity, content, as well as course outlines. The courses have been clarified and instructors have been given adequate contact hours to plan and execute lessons and practicals. Course objectives and learning outcomes have been designed to equip students with the ability to solve environmental and social problems that are facing communities and the country, through the application of biological approaches. Biotechnology is the technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for human benefits. It involves the use of biological organisms, processes or systems to perform specific industrial processes. On the other hand, bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines life sciences and computer sciences in order to develop and utilize database and software for management of data associated with bio-molecules on a large-scale. Bioinformatics is an important link between computer sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and life sciences such as biology, genetics, medicines or pharmaceuticals.

Learning Outcomes

  • Show competence in the application of biological concepts to solve different biological challenges.
  • Design and supervise programmes aiming at resolving biological challenges like environmental degradation, food security, disease control, pest control and wildlife management, and conservation.
  • Measure the biodiversity in both protected and unprotected habitats.
  • Apply genetic manipulation to improve livestock, wildlife, and crop production.
  • Manage aquatic and land resources.
  • Educate students and the local communities on biological principles.
  • Communicate effectively, develop, and run small business for self- employment. 294 Upon completion of this programme, graduates should have:
  • Broad and comparative knowledge of the general scope of biotechnology and bioinformatics, their different areas and applications, and interactions with related subjects.
  • A detailed knowledge of branches of biotechnology and bioinformatics balanced by a wider range of study.
  • Critical understanding of the essential theories, principles, and concepts in biotechnology and bioinformatics.
  • An awareness of the provisional nature of knowledge in biotechnology and bioinformatics with reference to current developments in these disciplines.
  • Well-developed skills for the gathering, evaluation, analysis and presentation of information, ideas, concepts and quantitative and/or qualitative data, drawing on a wide range of current sources.
  • Knowledge, understanding and skills in biotechnology and bioinformatics, in both identifying and analysing problems and issues and i n formulating, evaluating and applying evidence-based solutions and arguments.
  • Knowledge to communicate the results of their studies and other works accurately and reliably in a range of different contexts using the main specialist concepts, constructs, and techniques.
  • Ability to apply their biotechnology and bioinformatics and transferable skills to contexts where criteria for decisions and the scope of the task may be well defined but where personal responsibility, initiative, and decision-making are also required. 298

Programme Structure

Year 1

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 111 Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Core 1E+1
BI 112 Invertebrate Zoology Core 1E+1
BI 113 Ecology I Core 7.5
BI 114 Introductory Botany Core 1E+1
DS 102 Development Perspectives Core 7.5
BI 115 Biochemistry Core 1E+1
LG 102 Communication Skills Core 7.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 121 Introduction to Plant Physiology Core 1E+1
BI 122 Chordate Zoology Core 1E+1
BI 123 Developmental Biology Core 1E+1
BI 124 Introduction to Microbiology Core 1E+1
BI 125 Environmental Science Core 7.5
IT 111 Introduction to Information Technology Core 7.5
BI 126 Introduction to Parasitology Core 1E+1

Year 2

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 211 Aquatic Biology Core 1E+1
BI 212 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I Core 1E+1
BI 213 Molecular Genetics Core 1E+1
BI 214 Fundamentals of Soil Science Core 7.5
BI 215 Biostatistics I Core 1E+1
BI 216 Introduction to Entomology Core 7.5
BI 217 Introduction to Mycology Core 1E+1

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 221 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II Core 1E+1
BI 222 Introduction to Research Methodology Core 1E+1
BI 223 Metabolic Physiology and Plant Growth Core 1E+1
BI 224 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Core 1E+1
BI 225 Ecology II Core 1E+1
BI 201 Biogeography Elective 7.5
BI 202 Medical Biotechnology Elective 7.5
BI 203 Plant Diversity and Evolution Elective 7.5
BI 204 Biostatistics II Elective 7.5
BI 205 Introduction to Bioinformatics Elective 7.5

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 311 Research Project Core 7.5
BI 312 Evolution Core 7.5
BI 313 Animal Behaviour Core 1E+1
BI 314 Introduction to Biodiversity Conservation Core 1E+1
BI 339 Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment Core 1E+1
GO 221 Remote Sensing and GIS Core 1E+1
BI 317 Biology Field Course Core 7.5
BI 320 Practical Training Core 7.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 311 Research Project Core 7.5
EM 306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Core 1E+1
BI 321 Applied Ecology Core 7.5
BI 322 Estuarine and Wetland Ecology Core 7.5
BI 323 Restoration Ecology Core 7.5
BI 324 Natural Resources Management and Utilization Core Other 7.5
BI 325 Policy and Legislation for Biodiversity conservation Core 7.5
BI 337 Contemporary Issues in Biodiversity Conservation Core 7.5

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 311 Research Project Core 7.5
BI 312 Evolution Core 7.5
BI 318 Plant Breeding and Genetic Manipulation Core 7.5
BI 319 Plant Tissue Culture Core 7.5
BI 310 Physiology of Natural Products Core 7.5
BI 332 Applied Plant Physiology Core 7.5
BI 333 Taxonomy of Higher Plants Core 7.5
BI 317 Biology Field Course Core 7.5
BI 320 Practical Training Core 7.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 311 Research Project Core 7.5
EM 306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Core 1E+1
BI 326 Plant Pathology Core 7.5
BI 327 Anatomy of Angiosperms Core 7.5
BI 328 Plant Genetics Core 7.5
BI 329 Economic Botany Core 7.5
BI 330 Algal Ecology and Systematic Core 7.5
BI 303 Introduction to Ethnobotany Core 7.5

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 311 Research Project Core 7.5
BI 312 Evolution Core 7.5
BI 301 Ichthyology Core 7.5
BI 302 Herpetology Core 7.5
BI 315 Applied Entomology Core 7.5
BI 316 Mammalian Biology Core 7.5
BI 331 Virology and Microbial Genetics Core 7.5
BI 317 Biology Field Course Core 7.5
BI 320 Practical Training Core 7.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 311 Research Project Core 7.5
EM 306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Core 1E+1
BI 334 Applied Parasitology Core 7.5
BI 307 Immunology Core 7.5
BI 308 Economic Zoology Core 7.5
BI 335 Ornithology Core 7.5
BI 336 Molecular Biology of Parasites Core 7.5
BI 338 Physiology of Nutrition Core 7.5

Year 1

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BB 1101 Introductory Cell Biology and Genetics Core 9
BB 1102 Introductory Zoology Core 10.5
BB 1103 Introductory Botany Core 7.5
BB 1104 Introduction to Biotechnology Core 7.5
BB 1105 Biochemistry Core 10.5
DS 102 Development Perspectives Core 7.5
LG 102 Communication skills Core 7.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BI 1201 Introduction to Bioinformatics Core 7.5
BI 1202 Microbiology and Microbial Genetics Core 10.5
BI 1203 Introduction to Parasitology and Entomology Core 10.5
BI 1204 Developmental Biology Core 10.5
BI 1205 Molecular Genetics Core 10.5
IT 111 Introduction to Information Technology Core 7.5
BB 1206 Practical Training I Core 7.5

Year 2

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BB 2101 Molecular Biotechnology Core 10.5
BB 2102 Genomics and Bioinformatics I Core 10.5
BB 2103 Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core 10.5
BB 2104 Animal and Plant Physiology Core 10.5
BB 2105 Introduction to Biophysics and Bioinstrumentation Core 10.5
BB 2106 Introduction to Virology Core 10.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BB 2202 Medical Biotechnology Core 10.5
BB 2203 Enzymology Core 10.5
BB 2204 Scientific Methods Core 10.5
BB 2205 Introductory Immunology and Immunotechnology Core 10.5
BB 2208 Algal Biotechnology Core 10.5
BB 2206 Practical Training II Core 7.5
BB 2207 Fungal Biotechnology Elective 7.5
BB 2209 Forensic Biotechnology Elective 7.5

Year 3

Semester One

Code Course Title Status Credits
BB 3101 Research Project I Other 7.5
BB 3102 Genomics and Bioinformatics II Core 10.5
BB 3103 Food Biotechnology Core 10.5
BB 3104 Bioinformatics Databases and Ontologies Core 10.5
BB 3105 Plant Biotechnology Core 10.5
BB 3106 Introduction to Programming in Bioinformatics Core 10.5

Semester Two

Code Course Title Status Credits
BB 3201 Research Project II Other 7.5
BB 3202 Animal Biotechnology Core 10.5
BB 3203 Environmental Biotechnology Core 9
BB 3204 Ethical and Legal Issues in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Core 9
BB 3205 Genome Maintenance and Regulation Core 10.5
EM 306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Core 1E+1
BB 3206 Industrial Biotechnology Elective 7.5
BB 3207 Molecular Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases Elective 7.5
BB 3208 Introduction to Nanobiotechnology Elective 7.5
BB 3209 Introduction to Structural Bioinformatics Elective 7.5
BB 3210 Gene Regulation and Diseases Elective 7.5

Special Programme Requirements

• There will be 8 weeks Practical Training in Year II. • Estimated cost for each Practical Training is TZS 560,000. • The students will be required to undertake a Special Project (Research Report) semester I and II in Year III.Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and

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