The history of postgraduate teaching in the new Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (MCMB) is not different from that of its mother department, the former Department of Biology. The Department of MCMB was formed from the three specialization streams: Applied Genetics, Applied Microbiology and Biomedical Science of the former Department of Biology, which later transformed into Faculty of Life Sciences. Before the formation of the Department of MCMB, each of the three specialization streams now constituting the new Department had its own postgraduate programs, at MSc and PhD levels. The MCMB Department simply inherited the postgraduate programs of the old Department of Biology via the three streams             (Applied Genetics, Applied Microbiology and Infection Biology). Thus, the postgraduate teaching experience of the MCMB Department is as long as that of the mother Department.

The history of postgraduate teaching in the former Department of Biology began by the opening of MSc program in 1978/79, and this was followed by the opening PhD program in 1987 in four areas of specialization. Following the curriculum revision in the PhD training was extended to all the streams that were offering M.Sc.  Until 2002/2003, the PhD program was run as a sandwich scheme between AAU and foreign universities, mainly Sweden and Norway.  Then, the In-house scheme of PhD training was introduced, first in the streams with field based researches, and eventually extended to other streams as adequate laboratory facilities and supplies were acquired.

The Department of MCMB, through its Internal-self Study, recognized that the curriculum of its PhD Program is due for revision. Accordingly, the Department has undertaken the revision of its both PhD and MSc curriculum in 2015; in such a way that it can better address the country’s needs for highly qualified biologists and for the program to go abreast with the fast growing biological disciplines and biotechnology.

Department of MCMB has thus far served its purpose of training and producing the necessary skilled professionals in three streams. More than 100 PhD and 120 M.Sc. students graduated over the last 10 years, currently, the department is enrolled 108 graduate students (49 MSc and 59 Ph.D) in Applied genetics, Applied Microbiology and Infection biology stream respectively.

Mission and Vision of the program

Mission

The mission of the Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology (DMCMB) is to prepare students for professional careers in the areas of Applied microbiology, Applied Genetics, and Infection Biology. The Department is also responsible for the education of undergraduate and graduate students in core cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and microbiology topics as well as more specialized areas that require detailed knowledge of these subjects. To accomplish this mission, DMCMB offers curricula that will lead to Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology, Masters of Science degrees (Applied Microbiology, Applied Genetics and Infection Biology) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Applied Microbiology, Applied Genetics and Infection Biology).

Vision

To become the centre of excellence in Environmental, Biological, Biotechnological research and training, innovation and dissemination knowledge in the country

Laboratory facilities of the Department