BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOCHEMISTRY

Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

1. Candidates must have obtained the minimum University and School admission requirements.
   The following shall be eligible for registration for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in the Department of Biological sciences:
2. An aggregate of C+ grade which is the minimum University of Embu admission requirement and must have obtained at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) the following grades:

                       Biological Sciences C+
                       Physical Sciences C
                       Mathematics C
                       English/Kiswahili /Geography C

                     OR
                     Biology C+
                     Chemistry C
                     Mathematics/Physics C
                     English/Kiswahili/ Geography C

ii) Two principal passes at A-level in Biology and Chemistry and a subsidiary all obtained at the same sitting. In addition, a credit in Mathematics or Physics at O-level.
A degree in Biological Sciences and/or Chemistry from any recognized University plus KSCE Biology/Biological Sciences C+ or a credit in Biology at O-level.

   c. A credit at Diploma level in any of the following from a Senate recognized training institution:

• Animal Health
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Science Laboratory Technology
• Food Science Technology
• Education (Biology and Chemistry)
• Dental Science
• Public Health
• Nursing
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Clinical Medicine

   d. Any other qualification equivalent to the above subject to Senate’s approval.

Duration of Study
Four (4) academic years

Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biochemical principles.
2. Acquire proficiency in laboratory techniques in biochemistry and apply the scientific method to the processes of experimentation and hypothesis testing.
3. Apply molecular and cell-based techniques in delineating the cells functional processes in research and industrial settings.
4. Apply and effectively communicate scientific reasoning and data analysis in both written and oral forums.

Career prospects
The University of Embu aims to train biochemists who will work in industry and academia.
Course requirements.

1. A learner is required to attend at least two thirds of the total number of lectures in a unit in order to be allowed to sit for the end of semester examination in a given unit of the programme.
2. The lecturer shall ensure the programme course(s) are delivered in a manner that learning takes place and in line with the University requirements for teaching, assessment and evaluation of a unit.
3. Any student who fails to attain the pass mark in:
   a)    Less than 40% of the units taken in an academic year shall be required to retake the failed units when next offered.
   b)    Between 40% and 75% of the units taken in an academic year shall be required to repeat the year.
   c)    More than 75% of the units taken in an academic year shall be discontinued.
4. A student who fails to attain a pass mark in a retake examination, shall on recommendation of the school board and approval by Senate be allowed to retake the failed unit only once. Grading of retake Examinations shall be similar to that of ordinary Examinations as specified in respective programmes.
5. A student will not be allowed to proceed to the subsequent year of study without clearing retakes in the previous year. For instance, a second year student with retakes in the first year will not be allowed to proceed to the third year of study.
6. A student who fails after the second retake will be required to repeat the year and shall not be allowed to register for the next year of study until they have passed in all the pending retake units.
7. A student shall be allowed to repeat a year of study ONLY ONCE.
8. A repeating student in any academic year who fails to attain the pass mark in any of the failed courses shall on recommendation of the School Board and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the degree programme.
9. The lecturer is obliged to interpret and implement the curriculum and check student class attendance.
10. Course requirement for community service includes the 200hrs Field and Industrial Attachment.

Bachelor of Science Biochemistry Courses/Unit Distribution Table
First year

	Semester one units
	Unit Code	Courses/Unit Title	Theory Hours		Practical  Hours	Total unit hours	Status/ Remarks
Common courses	CCS 001	Communication Skills	45		0	45	Senate approved
	CCS 010	HIV and AIDS	45		0	45	Senate approved
	SCH 101	Inorganic Chemistry	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SCH 103	Physical Chemistry I	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SMA 101	Basic Mathematics	45		0	45	Senate approved
Core courses	SBC 103	Mammalian physiology	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SZL 101	Invertebrate Biology	30		15	45	Senate approved
	Semester two units
Common courses	CCS 009	Elements of Economics		45	0	45	Senate approved
	SBC 106	Information Technology		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SCH 102	Organic Chemistry I		30	15	45	Senate approved
Core courses	SBC 101	Cell Structure and Function		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 102	Introduction to Biochemistry		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 104	Plant Physiology		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 105	Introduction to Genetics		30	15	45	Senate approved
				Total		630 hours

 

 Second Year

	Semester one units
	Unit Code	Courses/Unit Title	Theory Hours		Practical Hours	Total unit hours	Status/ Remarks
Core courses	SBC 201	Mammalian Histology	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 204	Metabolism I	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 207	Comparative Biochemistry	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 205	General and Molecular Genetics	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SZL 210	Structure of Biomolecules	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SCH 202	The Chemistry of Alkyl Halides, Alcohols, Ethers Alkenes, Alkynes and Aromatic Compounds	30		15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 209	Principles parasitology	30		15	45	Senate approved
	Semester two units
Core courses	SBC 203	Enzymology		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 206	Biomembranes		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 202	Laboratory Practice and safety		15	30	45	Senate approved
	SBC 210	Calculus for biological sciences		45	-	45	Senate approved
	SBC 208	Mammalian Tissues Metabolism		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBT 204	Plant Biochemistry		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SCA 201	Quantitative Analysis		30	15	45	Senate approved
				Total		630 hours

 

Third Year

	Semester one units
	Unit code	Courses/Unit Title	Theory Hours	Practical Hours	Total unit hours		Status/ Remarks
Core courses	SBC 301	Food and Nutritional Biochemistry	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 302	Principles of Biochemical Endocrinology	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 308	Metabolism II	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SZL 303	Biostatistics	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SMB 301	Techniques in Molecular Biology	15	30	45		Senate approved
	SBC 309	Biochemistry of Microorganisms	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SMB 302	Recombinant DNA technology	30	15	45		Senate approved
	Semester two units
Core courses	SBC 303	Advanced Enzymology	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 304	Mammalian Parasites	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 305	Protein Biochemistry	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 306	Biochemistry of Drug Use and Addiction	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SMB 309	Downstream Processing and Bioreactors	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SZL 315	Research Methodology	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 310	Regulation of Metabolic Pathway	30	15	45		Senate approved
	SBC 307	Field and Industrial Attachment	200		200	Senate approved
			Total		830 hours

 

Fourth Year

	Semester One units
	Unit Code	Courses/Unit Title	Theory Hours	Practical Hours	Total unit hours	Status/ Remarks
Core courses	SBC 401	Bioinformatics	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 402	General Biochemical Techniques & Instrumentation	15	30	45	Senate approved
	SBC 403	Advanced Biochemical Techniques & Instrumentation	15	30	45	Senate approved
	Semester two units
Core courses	SBC 404	Forensic Biochemistry	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 405	Biochemical Toxicology	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 406	Biochemical Parasitology	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 407	Biochemical Pharmacology	30	15	45	Senate approved

 

Medical Option        Any Five Units Equivalent

	Semester One units
	Unit	Courses/Unit Title		Theory Hours	Practical Hours	Total unit hours	Status/ Remarks
Elective course	SBC 408	Research Project		15	30	45	Senate approved
Core courses	SBC 409	Molecular Immunology		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 410	Clinical Chemistry		30	15	45	Senate approved
			Semester two units
Elective courses	SBC 408	Research Project		15	30	45	Senate approved
	SBC 412	Applied Biochemical Endocrinology		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SMB 411	Microbial Food Toxicology		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SMB 412	Pathogenic Microbiology		30	15	45	Senate approved
Core courses	SBC 411	Applied Clinical Chemistry		30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 413	Biochemistry of Cancer		30	15	45	Senate approved
				Total		540

 

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Option          Any Five Course/Units Equivalent

	Semester one units
	Unit	Courses/Unit Title	Theory Hours	Practical Hours	Total unit hours	Status/ Remarks
Elective courses	SBC 408	Research Project	15	30	45	Senate approved
	SMB 409	Industrial Microbiology	30	15	45	Senate approved
Core courses	SMB 415	Industrial Applications of Biotechnology	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 414	Cell Technology	30	15	45	Senate approved
		Semester two
Elective courses	SBC 408	Research Project	15	30	45	Senate approved
	SMB 401	Ethics, Risks and opportunities in Biotechnology	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SMB 416	Discovery Strategies in Biotechnology	30	15	45	Senate approved
Core courses	SBC 415	Human and Population Genetics	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SMB 417	Applications of Genetic Engineering	30	15	45	Senate approved
			Total		540

 

Industrial Biochemistry Option             Any Five Course/Units Equivalent

Semester none units
	Unit	Courses/Unit Title	Theory Hours	Practical Hours	Total unit hours	Status/ Remarks
Core courses	SBC 416	Industrial Enzymes	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SMB 418	Fermentation Technology	30	15	45	Senate approved
Elective courses	SMB 415	Industrial Applications of Biotechnology	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 408	Research Project	15	30	45	Senate approved
Semester two units
Core courses	SBC 417	Immunochemistry	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SMB 419	Bio screening	30	15	45	Senate approved
Elective courses	SMB 420	Biosensor technology	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 418	Environmental Biochemistry	30	15	45	Senate approved
	SBC 408	Research Project	15	30	45	Senate approved
			Total		540

 

Requirements for graduation
a)    The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry shall take a minimum of four academic years consisting of two semesters each.
b)    In each year a candidate is required to take all the fourteen (14) course units or equivalent offered.
c)    In the fourth year of study, a candidate is required to register for SBC 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 and six (6) courses from any of the following degree options:
i.    SBC 408, SBC 409, SBC 410, SBC 411, SBC 412, SBC 413, SMB 411 and SMB 412 for BSc in Biochemistry (Medical option).
ii.    SBC 408, SMB 409, SMB 415, SBC 414, SBC 415, SMB 401, SMB 416 and SMB 417 for BSc in Biochemistry (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology option).
iii.    SBC 408, SBC416, SBC 417, SBC 418, SMB 415, SMB 418, SMB 419 and SMB 420 for BSc in Biochemistry (Industrial Option).
d)    Candidates are expected to attend all the fifty four (54) units equivalent to 2670 hours registered for in entirety to the satisfaction of the Department and School of Pure and Applied Sciences Board of Examiners.
The degree award and classification shall be based on the average score of all the fifty two (54) units taken in the programme.
b)    The degree award shall be Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with options indicated as follows:
i.    Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Medical Option)
ii.    Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Option)
iii.    Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (Industrial Biochemistry Option)

Classification of Degrees
A candidate who qualifies for Award of the Degree in Biochemistry shall be placed in one of the classes as follows:
i.    First Class Honours                    70% - 100%    
ii.    Second Class Honours (Upper Division)        60% - 69%
iii.    Second Class Honours (Lower Division)        50% - 59%
iv.    Pass