ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
History

Applied Microbiology Department was established in 1998 as one of the foundation and take-off disciplines in the university under the Faculty of Applied and Natural Sciences. The Department started with Sixty-five (65) students and Dr O. O. Odikanorom was appointed the pioneer Head of Department. Other pioneer staffs include Mr. E. S. Amadi, Mr. E. Ngwu and Mr O.J. Orji. Since then the Department has grown in both staff strength and various areas of specialization. The discipline of Applied Microbiology was established to produce quality graduates that are well grounded, knowledgeable, versatile and skilled. The Department also services other allied Departments who of necessity require the assistance of Microbiology in running their programmes. For example, students in the Departments of Biochemistry; Applied Biology, Soil and environmental management and Food Science and Technology take some courses in Microbiology. Our programme is designed to provide sound understanding of the concepts of microbiology in relation to mankind and the environment. The programme elaborates the importance of microorganisms in the industry, health and environmental sectors of the society and also emphasizes the traditional biotechnology and the linkage to the current modern biotechnology, molecular microbiology and bioinformatics. The degree programme consists of course work with relevant practical classes.

VISION

The vision of the Department is to produce graduates who are knowledgeable and skilled enough to contribute to prevention and control of diseases, agricultural, industrial and technological growth of the country and beyond through research and development.

MISSION

Our mission is to contribute to the agricultural, industrial and technological development of the country and beyond through research and production of high quality and specialized graduates and scientists who will be capable of extending frontiers of knowledge based on discipline, integrity and social responsibility.

PHILOSOPHY

The programme has been designed to provide a sound understanding of the concepts of microorganisms in relation to mankind and the environment. The programme will elaborate the importance of microorganisms in the food and pharmaceutical industries, health and environmental/petroleum sectors of the society. The Microbiology programmes will also emphasize the traditional biotechnology and the linkage to current modern molecular biotechnology.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The main aim/objective of the programme is to broadly educate students for positions in the food industries, petroleum sectors, health sectors, and research institutes and to prepare them for graduate and professional studies in the life applied areas of microbiology. The degree programme consists of course works with relevant practical exercises, tutorials, project reports and industrial work experience to enable practice of the knowledge they acquire. Graduates of Microbiology are expected to have the ability to apply knowledge and skills to solving theoretical and practical problems in Microbiology in relation to national and societal problems.

CAREER PROSPECTS
Graduates of Microbiology have a wide range of career opportunities. Microbiologists are in high demand in the following areas:

1. Pharmaceutical industries and research institutes
2. Epidemiological and disease control centers
3. Quality control units of food, beverages and allied industries
4. Medical diagnostic and research laboratories
5. Brewing and oil companies
6. Healthcare delivery in local governments, states and federal establishments
7. Waste management institutions
8. Government Ministries and parastatals
9. Teaching and Research in institutions (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education).