The Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology has facilities for advanced courses and research leading to the degrees of Master of Science (M.Sc.) Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the areas of Ecology, Toxicology, Genetics, Entomology, Crop Physiology, and Phytopathology (Applied Mycology, Bacteriology, Virology, Nematology).

(a)     ELIGIBILITY  

Candidates for admission to higher degree programmes shall be graduates of the University of Ibadan or graduates of other universities recognized by Senate or holders of equivalent qualification and/or experience specified for the course. First degree holders are required to register for the 18 month degree of Master in the first instance. Candidates for admission to the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees should have attained an average performance of 50-54.9% (for M.Phil.), 55-59.9% for M.Phil/Ph.D. and 60% and above for Ph.D. in the one-year degree of Master. (Eligible candidates for the Ph.D. degree but from other Departments and Universities are admitted to M.Phil/Ph.D. in the first instance. Candidates admitted for M.Phil./Ph.D. programme are examined for conversion after two semesters to determine their qualification for the M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme).

(b) DURATION

  Candidates may register for full-time or part-time studies only for the M.Phil., M.Phil/Ph.D and Ph.D   programmes

(i)  M.Sc.

The normal duration is eighteen calendar-months, but where a candidate spends more than eighteen calendar months for the degree, he shall renew his registration at the beginning of each academic year. The registration of a candidate shall normally lapse if after twenty-four months of full-time (thirty-six months in the case of part-time registration), he has not fulfilled the requirements for the degree.

(ii) M.Phil.

The normal duration is not less than four semesters after initial registration (or six semesters in the case of part-time registration). The registration of a candidate shall normally lapse if after eight semesters (ten semesters in the case of part-time registration), the candidate has not fulfilled the requirements for the award of the degree.  M.Phil students are to register for a maximum of 15 units to include courses and project; two interdisciplinary courses (3 units each, total of 6 units), one course in their respective unit/programme (3 units), Project (6 units). These will sum up to 15 units. Seminar will be given on their project work.

(iii) Ph.D.

The normal duration is not less than six semesters after initial registration (or nine semesters in the case of part-time registration). The registration of a candidate shall normally lapse if he has not submitted his thesis for examination after ten-semesters of full-time (twelve semesters in the case of part-time registration or an equivalent period pro-rata for an examination of part-time and full-time registration.

(c)     EXAMINATIONS

(i) Formal course work leading to examination shall be an integral part of all higher degree programmes in the university. In addition, candidates shall be required to submit a project report, dissertation or thesis which shall be examined and graded.

(ii) Candidates shall be required to take examinations at the end of the semester in which the course has been completed and the pass mark shall be 40%.

(iii) All candidates shall be required to take approved post-graduate courses. Candidates may be required to take remedial or other relevant courses where necessary.

(iv) In the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, inter-disciplinary courses are compulsory and shall be taken during the first semester. Specialist courses shall be taken in the second semester.  The number and specific courses shall be on the advice of the supervisor.

(v) Full-time students in their year of higher degree studies and without any previous higher degree training shall be required to register for a minimum of 30 units and a maximum of 45 units of course work.

(vi) Part-time students shall be required to register, in any one year, for not more than 50% of the minimum course work requirement for the award of the degree.

(vii) At the end of 18 calendar months, the overall level of performance of a student shall be assessed to determine whether he should terminate his higher degree at the M.Sc. level or proceed to the M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme.

(viii) A candidate with a Masters degree of a recognized institution shall be assessed to determine whether he should be admitted to the M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme. Such candidate may be required to take such courses as may be specified by the Department.

(ix) Candidates for M.Phil. or Ph.D. degree shall submit five printed or typewritten copies of the dissertation/thesis, together with the appropriate examination fee, to the Secretary, Postgraduate School. If the dissertation or thesis is successful, four copies suitably bound, after all corrections, shall become the property of the university – two copies in the Library, one copy in the Postgraduate School and one copy in the Department.

Where a dissertation or thesis is rejected, the Revised Version may not be submitted for re-examination until after a minimum period of six months (for Ph.D.).

(d) POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH

                The Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology is devoted to the pursuit of scientific knowledge in respect of plants, animals and their environment. A new integrated approach to teaching and research in the biological sciences as applied to agriculture is favoured in preference to the traditional divisions into agricultural botany and agricultural ecology. The result is that by emphasis on an inter-disciplinary and inter-specialization approach to teaching and research, the Department has evolved as a Department of Applied Biology in agriculture and is making distinct contributions to increased agricultural and forestry productivity.

                The major fields covered at present include Entomology, Phytopathology (comprising Phytovirology, Phytobacteriology, Nematology and Applied Mycology), Crop physiology, Vertebrate pests, Weed science, Genetics and Ecology. Ecology represents the central theme of the Department’s teaching and research programme.  Although it is indicated here as one of the fields of study, the departmental approach can, in fact, be summarized as an ecological approach, and all scientists set their fields as closely related to other fields and within the general frame-work of agricultural improvement. It is proposed that in the immediate future, the following fields will be fully developed; Bacteriology Toxicology, Biological Control and Environmental Biology. In addition, the scope of the present field will be widened to include Animal Ecology, Statistical Ecology, Stored-products Entomology and other aspects of Microbiology.

                There are field and laboratory facilities for studies in Entomology, Phytopathology, Phytobacteriology, Phytovirology, Vertebrate Pests, Crop Physiology, Plant Ecology, Weed Science, Nematology, Toxicology and Genetics.

                Research equipment include controlled temperature/humidity cabinets, growth chambers, research microscopes with phase cooled incubators, chromatographic equipment, automatic micro-applicators, suction traps, suction samplers, portable pH meters, refrigerated centrifuge, ultra-violet equipment, spectrophotometer and many other items of equipment constructed and adapted locally. A large insect reference collection consisting of about 5,000 species of insects and a herbarium are also available.

                A small departmental library with 300 volumes is run by the department. This library merely supplements the facilities in the faculty and main University Libraries with a large number of volumes on aspects of crop protection and environmental biology. There is also a crop garden for teaching and research.

(e) POSTGRADUATE TEACHING

                All postgraduate students in the department will normally attend and pass a number of inter-disciplinary postgraduate courses listed in the brochure in the first year of registration. In addition, they will attend and pass examinations in prescribed courses relevant to their field of specialization. When necessary, a postgraduate student may be requested to attend remedial courses for which no credits are granted. These courses form part of the postgraduate training and are designed to make up for any basic deficiencies and to provide a good theoretical and practical background for some research topics.

(f) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates in Crop Protection and Environmental Biology are fortified with adequate training and exposure for employment in any of the following places:

1. Federal and State Universities.
2. Research Institutes and related Institutions.
3. Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture, Science and Technology and related activities.
4. Agricultural related parastatals – River Basing Development Authorities, Agricultural Development Authorities, Quarantine Stations etc.
5. Post-secondary Teachers’ Colleges and Polytechnics.
6. Secondary Schools and Colleges of Agriculture.
7. Large Commercial Farms.
8. Pesticide Companies.
9. Fertilizer and Agricultural Input Companies.
10. Agricultural development banks and commercial banks.
11. Oil companies, Federal Environmental Protection Agency, Non-governmental Organizations etc

Summary

Compulsory courses – 17 units (excluding a minimum of 9 compulsory units from student’s area of specialization).

Minimum number of units to be registered for – 30 units.

Maximum number of units to be registered for – 45 units.

Computation of results will be based on CGPA of all courses registered. GPA will be calculated for each semester and the CGPA at the end of each session.

NEW CURRICULUM FOR M.Phil./Ph.D. DEGREE PROGRAMME

Students registered for the M.Phil., M.Phil./Ph.D. and Ph.D. programmes may be required to register for courses in their area of specialization on the advice of the Supervisor or Supervisory Committee.