Programs at Department of MCMB

PhD Program

Objectives of PhD Training

The main objective of the PhD training is to produce biologists with PhD degree who can fill the various positions, in Government and private sectors that require highly qualified graduates in genetics, the biology of microorganisms, and the biology of pathogenic agents of plants and animals.

Specific objectives

The specific objectives are to produce highly qualified graduates who:

• teach microbiology, genetics,  molecular biology and other related biological disciplines in higher academic institutions (colleges, universities, etc);
• do researches  in biology, health, agriculture, environment, etc;
• can work as microbiologists in food processing industries;
• can advise policy makers on biological and environmental issues

Graduate profile

The graduate of the department are aimed at ensuring that doctoral students make, and demonstrate, substantial original research contributions to knowledge within the various research areas such as Applied Genetics, Applied Microbiology and Infection Biology that are of high quality by international standards. Thus, the graduates of the department will able to:

• teach Genetics/Microbiology/Biomedical sciences  courses in his/her area of specialization in the higher learning institutions both at BSc, MSc. and PhD levels
• advise thesis of postgraduate students in his/her area of specialization
• undertake and complete research that makes an original contribution to knowledge
• execute and manage researches in the areas of conservation, agriculture, industry, health, biotechnology, etc
• understand the ethical dimensions of research and scientific report
• communicate scientific information, arguments, ideas and analyses effectively both orally and in writing
• appreciate the diversity and applicability of different methods of problem solving and research inquiry

Programs of specialization

The PhD training in the Department of Microbial, Cellular, and Molecular Biology comprises of three specialization areas, namely, Applied Genetics, Applied Microbiology and Infection Biology. Courses are organized as common to students of all the three streams of specialization and as stream specific courses. The stream specific courses are further categorized as compulsory and electives. Courses that students of individual stream of specialization are expected to take are indicated in this curriculum document.

Duration of the PhD Program

The duration of the PhD training is from three to a maximum of four years. The first year of study is devoted to course work. The rest of the study period will be devoted for dissertation research, data analysis and writing up. Alongside with the course work during their first year of study, students are encouraged to prepare their PhD research proposal so that they can defend it at the beginning of the first semester of the second year and directly enter upon their research work.

Admission Requirements

The applicant should hold an MSc degree or equivalent in genetics, microbiology and infection biology or related biological field from a recognized academic institution. In addition , when it deems necessary, the Department will give qualifying examination, written or oral, for which the applicant is required to score a ‘pass’ grade as determined by the Department. The general admission requirement will be as per the admission requirements of the Addis Ababa University.

Graduation Requirements

1. Course requirement:  In order to graduate, a candidate should successfully complete a minimum of 16 credit hours course work, and should have minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00, without an F grade in any of the courses.
2. Dissertation requirement: Candidates should successfully defend their dissertation and receive ‘pass’ before they are considered for graduation.

Thus, a candidate should fulfills the above two requirements in order to qualify for the award of PhD degree.

Degree Nomenclature

The Degree nomenclature is “Doctor of Philosophy in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology” with stream of specialization indicated within a parenthesis as follows:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (Applied Genetics)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (Applied Microbiology)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Microbial Cellular and Microbial Biology (Biomedical Science)

List of PhD Courses

Courses offered by the MCMB

No.	Course Title	Course code	Credit
1	Biochemical and Molecular Techniques	MCMB 830	2
2	Genomics and Bioinformatics	MCMB 831	3
3	Advances in Genetic Engineering and Transgenesis	MCMB 832	2
4	Proteomics and Metabolomics	MCMB 833	2
5	Advanced Evolutionary Genetics	MCMB 834	3
6	Advanced Quantitative Genetics	MCMB 835	2
7	Advanced Cytogenetics	MCMB 836	2
8	Molecular Plant Breeding	MCMB 837	2
9	Epigenetics and Epigenomics	MCMB 838	2
10	Rhizosphere Microbiology	MCMB 840	2
11	Advanced Plant Pathology	MCMB 842	2
12	Current Trends in Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry	MCMB 843	1
13	Biological Control	MCMB 844	2
14	Analytical Microbiology	MCMB 845	1
15	Food Microbiology and Biotechnology	MCMB 846	2
16	Food Safety and Quality	MCMB 848	2
17	Microbiology of Traditional Fermented Food	MCMB 850	2
18	Secondary Metabolite and Metabolic Engineering	MCMB 852	2
19	Integrated Waste  Management	MCMB 854	2
20	Microbial Bioremediation	MCMB 856	2
21	Biology of Emerging Pathogens	MCMB 870	2
22	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases	MCMB 871	2
23	Advanced Host-Pathogen Biology	MCMB 872	2
24	Systems Biology of Diseases	MCMB 873	2
25	The History and Philosophy of Science	MCMB 891	1
26	PhD Seminar	MCMB 892	1
27	Independent Study	MCMB 894	2
28	PhD Dissertation	MCMB 899	12

Common compulsory courses

Course Title	Code	Credit
History and Philosophy of Science	MCMB 891	1
PhD Seminar	MCMB 892	1
Independent Study	MCMB 894	2
Doctoral Dissertation	MCMB 899	12

Applied Genetics Stream Courses

Compulsory courses	Course code	Credit hr
Biochemical and Molecular Techniques	MCMB 830	2
Genomics and Bioinformatics	MCMB 831	3
Elective Courses
Advances in Genetic Engineering and Transgenesis	MCMB 832	2
Proteomics and Metabolomics	MCMB 833	2
Advanced Evolutionary Genetics	MCMB 834	3
Advanced Quantitative Genetics	MCMB 835	2
Advanced Cytogenetics	MCMB 836	2
Molecular Plant Breeding	MCMB 837	2
Epigenetics and Epigenomics	MCMB 838	2

Applied Microbiology Stream course

A. Compulsory Courses
Biochemical and Molecular Techniques	MCMB 830	2
Genomics and Bioinformatics	MCMB 821	3
Current Trends in Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry	MCMB 843	1
B. Lists of suggested elective courses for those interested to specialize in: Agricultural Microbiology, Food/Industrial Microbiology
Rhizosphere Microbiology	MCMB 840	2
Advanced Plant Pathology	MCMB 841	2
Biological Control	MCMB 844	2
Analytical Microbiology	MCMB 845	1
Food Microbiology and Biotechnology	MCMB 846	2
Food Safety and Quality	MCMB 848	2
Microbiology of Traditional Fermented Food	MCMB 850	2
Secondary Metabolite and Metabolic Engineering	MCMB 852	2
Integrated Waste Management	MCMB 854	2
Microbial Bioremediation	MCMB 856	2

Infection Biology Stream Courses

A. Compulsory	Course code	Credit hour
Biology of Emerging Pathogens	MCMB 870	2
Advanced Host-Pathogen Biology	MCMB 872	2
B. Elective
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases	MCMB 871	2
Genomics and Bioinformatics	MCMB 831	3
Proteomics and Metabolomics	MCMB 833	2
Systems Biology of Diseases	MCMB 873	2

 

Course Scheduling

Applied Genetics Stream

No.	Year I, Semester I	Code	Credit
1	Genomics and Bioinformatics	MCMB 831	3
2	History and Philosophy of Science	MCMB 891	1
3	Elective	MCMB xxx	2/3
4	Elective	MCMB xxx	2
Total			8/9
	Year I, Semester II
1	Biochemical and Molecular Techniques	MCMB 830	2
2	PhD Seminar	MCMB 892	1
3	Independent Study	MCMB 894	2
4	Elective	MCMB xxx	2/3
5	Elective	MCMB xxx	2
Total			9/10
	Year II, Semester I
	PhD Dissertation*	MCMB 899	12
Grand Total			29/31

*There will be continuous registration of the PhD Dissertation

 Applied Microbiology Stream

No.	Year I, Semester I	Code	Credit hr.
1	Genomics and Bioinformatics	MCMB 831	3
2	History and Philosophy of Science	MCMB 891	1
3	Current Trends in Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry	MCMB 843	1
4	Elective	MCMB xxx	1
5	Elective	MCMB xxx	2
6	Elective	MCMB xxx	2
Total			10
1	Year I, Semester II
2	Biochemical and Molecular Techniques	MCMB 830	2
3	Independent study	MCMB 894	2
4	Elective	MCMB	2
5	Elective	MCMB	1
6	Elective	MCMB	2
7	Elective	MCMB	2
Total			11
	Year II, Semester I
1	PhD Seminar	MCMB892	1
2	PhD Dissertation*	MCMB899	12
Total			13
Grand Total			34

*There will be continuous registration of the PhD Dissertation

 Infection Biology Stream

№	Year I, Semester I	Course code	Credit hour
1	Biology of Emerging Pathogens	MCMB 870	2
2	Advanced Host-Pathogen Biology	MCMB 873	2
3	Elective	MCMB XXX	2
4	Elective	MCMB XXX	2
Total			8
	Year I, Semester II
1	Biochemical and Molecular Techniques	MCMB 830	2
2	Independent study	MCMB 894	2
3	Elective	MCMB XXX
4	Elective	MCMB XXX	2
5	Independent Study	MCMB 894	2
6	PhD Seminar	MCMB 892	1
Total			9
	Year II, Semester I
	PhD Dissertation*	MCMB 899	12
Grand Total			29

*There will be continuous registration of the PhD Dissertation

MSc Program

Objectives

The objective M.Sc. training of the Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular biology is to produce competent biologists in the areas of the biology of prokaryotic organisms, human and animal pathogens, cell, Molecular biology and genetics, who can assume professional positions in:

• Teaching and research in Microbial, Cellular and Molecular biology in higher education institutions
• Biodiversity management
• Microorganisms as indicators of environmental quality; environmental health
• Microbial degradation and bioremediation
• Human and animal pathogen research
• Genomics, proteomics, and other ‘-omics’ researches
• Bio-industrial production
• Biotechnology pertaining to human health, animal production and agriculture

Programs of specialization

The M.Sc. program of the Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology is organized along three streams of specialization and includes Applied Genetics, Applied Microbiology and Infection Biology. In addition to stream specific courses, students take common core courses.

Duration of the MSc. Study

This MSc. Program is planned to be completed in two years time (i.e. four academic semesters). The first year of study is devoted to course works. The second year will be used for seminar, thesis research, writing up and defense of the thesis. Students should successfully complete their course work in order to be allowed to proceed to thesis research. The program assumes that all candidates enrolled are fulltime students.

Readmissions and other irregularities

Irregularities such as withdrawal, dismissal, probation, readmission and course repetition will be addressed according to the University wide procedures pertaining to graduate programs.

Graduate Profile

A Graduate of the Department from the M.Sc. Program will be able to:

• Teach biology courses in his/her area of specialization in the higher learning institutions
• Identify knowledge gaps in his/her area of specialization to be filled with appropriate research output;
• Understand, analyze, discuss and explain theoretical body of knowledge in their specialization areas of biology;
• Develop research proposal and execute research in his/her area of specialization;
• Use and operate laboratory/field equipment used in his/her area of specialization for research and teaching activities;
• Analyze, interpret and disseminate research results in the form of seminars, reports scientific articles;
• Qualify to join PhD training in the fields related to his/her area of specialization

Admission Requirements

Candidates who have B.Sc. degree in biology or related fields (areas of applied biology) and meet the general admission criteria of the University are eligible for admission into the M.Sc. program of the Department; when deemed necessary, a candidate may be required to sit and pass entrance examination to be administered by the Department.

Graduation Requirements

Course works

In order to graduate from the M.Sc. Program, a student should complete all the required courses and meet the total ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) requirement of his/her stream of specialization and pass with a minimum of CGPA of 3:00. There should be no an F grade in any of the modules.

 M.Sc. Thesis

The M.Sc. thesis should be successfully defended and the student should receive a ‘Pass’ in order to graduate.

Degree Nomenclature

The M.Sc. Degree will have the following nomenclature; the specialization area is indicated in parenthesis for respective streams as follows:

English Nomenclature:

• Sc. Degree in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (Applied Genetics)
• Sc. Degree in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (Applied Microbiology)
• Sc. Degree in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology (Infection Biology)

Amharic Nomenclature/¾›T`— eÁT@/

 

• Te}`e Ç=Ó] uማይክሮቢያል ሴሉላር ሞሎኩላር vÄKAÍ= ትምህርት ክፍል

        (›+ÃLÉ Ë’+¡e)

• Te}`e Ç=Ó] uማይክሮቢያል ሴሉላር ሞሎኩላር vÄKAÍ= ትምህርት ክፍል

        (›+ÃLÉ TáavÄKAÍ=)

• Te}`e Ç=Ó] uማይክሮቢያል ሴሉላር ሞሎኩላር vÄKAÍ= ትምህርት ክፍል

        (›+ÃLÉ vÄT@Ç=”M dÔe)

Course Listing

List of MSc. Courses in the Department

No	Course Title	Code	ECTS
1	Advanced Biometrics	MCMB 601	7
2	Techniques in Microbial and Molecular Biology	MCMB 602	4
3	Genetic Analysis and Mapping	MCMB 621	7
4	Molecular Genetics	MCMB 623	7
5	Cytogenetics	MCMB 624	7
6	Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding	MCMB 625	7
7	Genetic Engineering and Transgenesis	MCMB 628	5
8	Advanced Cell Biology	MCMB 631	7
9	Ecological and Population Genetics	MCMB 632	7
10	Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics	MCMB 634	5
11	Plant Tissue Culture and Experimental Techniques	MCMB 636	5
12	Human Genetics and Hereditary Disorders	MCMB 638	7
13	Soil Microbiology	MCMB 640	7
14	Microbial Diversity and Ecology	MCMB 641	7
15	Microbial Physiology	MCMB 643	7
16	Plant Pathology	MCMB 642	5
17	Rhizobiology and Inoculant Technology	MCMB 644	5
18	Industrial Microbiology	MCMB 646	5
19	Food Microbiology	MCMB 648	7
20	Environmental Microbiology	MCMB 650	5
21	Mushroom Cultivation and Technology	MCMB 652	4
22	Microbial Secondary Metabolites and Bio-prospecting	MCMB 654	5
23	Advanced Parasite Biology	MCMB 661	7
24	Advanced Immunobiology	MCMB 662	7
25	Vector Biology and Ecology	MCMB 663	7
26	Biology of Pathogenic Microorganisms	MCMB 664	7
27	Medicinal Plants	MCMB 665	7
28	Scientific Report Writing	MCMB 604	4
29	MSc Seminar	MCMB 775	4
30	MSc Thesis	MCMB 799	30

Courses common and compulsory to all the three streams

NO	Course	Code	ECTS
1	Advanced Biometrics	MCMB 601	7
2	Molecular Genetics	MCMB 623	7
3	Techniques in Microbial and Molecular Biology	MCMB 602	4
4	Scientific Report Writing	MCMB 604	4
5	M. Sc. Seminar	MCMB 775	4
6	M.Sc. Thesis	MCMB 799	30
Total ECTS			56

Courses of the Applied Genetics Stream

Compulsory Courses		Code	ECTS
1	Molecular Genetics	MCMB 623	7
2	Genetic Analysis and Mapping	MCMB 621	7
3	Cytogenetics	MCMB 624	7
4	Genetic Engineering and Transgenesis	MCMB 628	5
5	Ecological and Population Genetics	MCMB 632	7
6	Advanced Cell Biology	MCMB 631	7
Elective Courses
1	Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics	MCMB 634	5
2	Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding	MCMB 625	7
3	Plant Tissue Culture and Experimental Techniques	MCMB 636	5
4	Human Genetics and Hereditary Disorders	MCMB 638	7
*Students sponsored by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for teaching profession should take pedagogy module (CTDP 601); others may take either of the proposed elective courses

Courses of the Applied Microbiology Stream

Compulsory Courses		Code		ECTS
1	Microbial Diversity and Ecology	MCMB 641		7
2	Microbial Physiology	MCMB 643		7
3	Industrial Microbiology	MCMB 646		5
Elective courses according  to their MSc thesis Research affiliations: Agricultural Microbiology, Food/Industrial Microbiology
4	Soil Microbiology		MCMB 640	7
5	Plant Pathology		MCMB 642	5
6	Rhizobiology and Inoculant Technology		MCMB 644	5
7	Food Microbiology		MCMB 648	7
8	Microbial Secondary Metabolites and Bio-prospecting		MCMB 654	5
9	Environmental Microbiology		MCMB 650	5
10	Mushroom Cultivation and Technology		MCMB 652	4

Courses of the Infection Biology Stream

Compulsory Courses*		Code	ECTS
	I.                    Biomedical Courses
1	Advanced Parasite Biology	MCMB 661	7
2	Advanced Immunobiology	MCMB 662	7
3	Vector Biology and Ecology	MCMB 663	7
4	Biology of Pathogenic Microorganisms	MCMB 664	7
5	Medicinal Plants	MCMB 665	7
	II.                 Courses from other streams
6	Advanced Cell Biology	MCMB 631	7
III. Elective Courses
7	Human Genetics and Hereditary Disorders	MCMB 638	7

* The Infection Biology Stream takes additional compulsory/elective courses in addition to courses   designated as common compulsory for the three streams.

Course Scheduling

Course Schedule for Applied Genetics Stream

Year I	Course Title	Code	ECTS
Semester I	Molecular Genetics	MCMB 623	7
	Advanced Biometrics	MCMB 601	7
	Genetic Analysis and Mapping	MCMB 621	7
	Advanced Cell Biology	MCMB 631	7
Semester Total  ECTS			28
Semester II	Ecological and Population Genetics	MCMB 632	7
	Genetic Engineering and Transgenesis	MCMB 628	5
	Cytogenetics	MCMB 624	7
	Tech. in Microbial and Mol. Biology	MCMB 602	4
	Scientific  Report Writing	MCMB 604	4
	Elective	MCMB xxx	5/7
Semester Total  ECTS			32/34
Year II, 1st semester	MSc Seminar	MCMB 775	4
	MSc Thesis	MCMB 799	30
Semester Total  ECTS			34
Year II, 2nd Semester	MSc Thesis	MCMB 799	30
Semester Total  ECTS			30
Grand Total ECTS			94/96

Course Schedule for Applied Microbiology stream

Year I	Semester I	Code	ECTS
Semester I	Molecular Genetics	MCMB 623	7
	Advanced Biometrics	MCMB 601	7
	Microbial Diversity and Ecology	MCMB 641	7
	Microbial physiology	MCMB643	7
Semester Total  ECTS			28
Semester II	Elective	MCMB xxx	4/7
	Elective	MCMB xxx	5/7
	Elective	MCMB xxx	5/7
	Elective	MCMB xxx	5
	Elective	MCMB xxx	5
	Elective	MCMB xxx	5
Semester Total  ECTS			29 – 32
Year II, 1st semester	MSc Seminar	MCMB 775	4
	MSc Thesis	MCMB 799	30
Semester Total  ECTS			34
Year II, 2nd Semester	MSC Thesis	MCMB	30
Semester Total  ECTS			30
Grand Total ECTS			91- 94

Course schedule for Infection Biology Stream

Year I		Semester I	Code	ECTS
Semester I		Molecular Genetics	MCMB 623	7
		Advanced Biometrics	MCMB 601	7
		Advanced Parasite Biology	MCMB 661	7
		Advanced Cell Biology	MCMB 631	7
		Vector Biology and Ecology	MCMB 663	7
Semester Total  ECTS				35
Semester II		Advanced Immunobiology	MCMB 662	7
		Biology of Pathogenic Microorganisms	MCMB 664	7
		Tech. in Microbial and Molecular Biology	MCMB 602	4
		Scientific Report Writing	MCMB 604	4
		Elective(s)	MCMB xxx	5/7
Semester Total  ECTS				27/29
Year II, 1st semester	MSc Seminar		MCMB 775	4
	MSc Thesis		MCMB 799	30
Semester Total  ECTS				34
Year II, 2nd  Semester	MSC Thesis		MCMB	30
Semester Total  ECTS				30
Grand Total ECT				96-98

Currently, Both PhD and MSc curriculum are under review, the revised version will be implemented as of 2023/ 2024 academic year

Current number of students

No.	Program	Number of Students
1	M.Sc	49
2	Ph.D.	59