REGULATIONS FOR THE BACHELOR OF EDUCATION HONOURS DEGREE IN BIOLOGY AND APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES (EDU70)

Duration of Degree:  2 years

Actual Credit load    276

Maximum Credit Load: 300

Minimum Credit Load  240

Total MBKS Credit Load:     192

ZNQF Level: 8

1.0   PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

To prepare pre-service teachers to teach Biology up to ‘A’ Level and produce highly qualified personnel for educational institutions, government departments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

2.0   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry:

Diploma/Certificate in Education or equivalent from an accredited and recognised institution.

3.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Areas of Study:

Biology and Applied Technologies.

Specialist Focus:

Training teachers in Biology and Applied Technologies .

Orientation:

Teaching and learning that is research and innovation-oriented.

4.0   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Employability:

 Graduates can be employed as teachers, lecturers, education inspectors, training officers, consultants, laboratory technicians in related industries etc.

Further Studies:

Master’s and Doctoral studies in Biology and Applied Technologies

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

 

Level 1 Semester 1

Code            Module Description                                                            Credits

BED144       Schools Curriculum Competencies and Innovation                             12

BED133       Information Communication Technology in Education                       12

BCHS131    Culture and Heritage Studies                                                             12

SEBI101      Diversity of Life and Conservation 1                                                12

SEBI102      Biochemistry                                                                                    12

SEBI103      Cell Biology                                                                                     12

                

Level 1 Semester 2

BED231       Assessment and Evaluation Techniques                                             12

BED131       Research Methods and Statistics                                                        12

SEBI104      Diversity of Life and Conservation 11                                                12

SEBI105      Genetics and Evolution                                                                     12

SEB1201     Principles of Ecology and Sustainable Management                          12

 

Electives

EFS 131:      Sociological Issues in Education                                                        12

or

EFPS 131:    Psychological Issues in Education                                                     12

or

EFPH 131:   Philosophical Issues in Education                                                      12

 

Level 2 Semester 1

EDGS231    Gender Studies for Educators                                                    12

BEIE501      Entrepreneurship and Industrialisation in Education                12

BEFM231    School Administration and Financial Management in

Education                                                                                     12

SEBI202      Biotechnology                                                                              12

SEBI106      Animal Anatomy and Physiology                                                  12

SEBI203      Plant Morphology, Physiology and Productivity                              12

 

Level 2 Semester 2         

SEBI204      Biomathematics                                                                            12

SEBI205      Advanced Pedagogics in Biology                                                  12

BED135       Contemporary Issues in Education                                                 12

BED232       Research Project                                                                           24

BED136       Educational Management

 

Module Synopsis

BED 144: Schools Curriculum Competencies and Innovation

The module introduces students to the schools’ curriculum and basic theories of curriculum development. It explores the philosophy of the Zimbabwean competence-based curriculum and its implications for teaching. The specific competencies in the curriculum are analysed in relation to how they empower students with life-long competencies that prepare students for sustainable livelihoods outside formal employment. Such competencies include creativity, innovation, industrialisation, and entrepreneurship.  

 

BED 133: Information Communication Technologies in Education                                         

This module seeks to equip students with skills for improving learning and teaching through the use of various instructional media that include audio visual communication. The module will also familiarise students with different computer software including MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, PowerPoint and Publisher.

BCHS 131: Culture and Heritage Studies

This module introduces scholars to the definition terms of culture and heritage. The module will expose the learners to issues like civic education, spirituality, and tangible and nontangible Zimbabwean resources. History of Zimbabwe and its different ethnic groupings in different geographical locations. Learners would be challenged to be tolerant and enjoy the multicultural status of the nation.

SEBI 101: Diversity of Life and Conservation 1

The module focuses on taxonomy and phylogeny the goals of classification; the stages of classification; phonetics, and cladistics. It examines taxonomic keys and phylogenetic trees, diversity in the kingdom monera, protista, fungi, conservation of monera,  protista and fungi, use of monera, fungi and protist for value addition.

SEBI 102: Biochemistry

This module introduces the molecular structure of water, amino acids and peptides; amino acids and proteins as acids and bases/ solving problems, protein structure; protein sequencing; analytical methods and techniques enzyme kinetics, enzyme inhibition, carbohydrates, aldoses, ketoses, formation of hemiacetals, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, aerobic metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, antioxidant systems, lipids fatty acids, and triglycerides.

SEBI 103: Cell Biology

The module discusses the structure of eukaryotic cells; the function of organelles, membrane structures transport across membranes; membrane synthesis, protein synthesis; sorting and delivery of the role of lysosomes in recycling cellular components, the functional importance of mitochondrial membranes in respiration, the components of the cytoskeleton; cell motility; cell differentiation, unlimited cell growth and cancer cells; applications in health, value addition.

BED 231: Assessment and Evaluation Techniques

The module covers assessment and evaluation issues in education across all subject areas. The content of the module includes: an analysis of the concepts of evaluation, assessment and measurement in education, contemporary ideas on how to improve assessment and evaluation in schools, test designing; analysis of test results; national examinations and grading.

BED 131: Research Methods and Statistics

The module introduces the learners to the basic principles of research; qualitative and quantitative approaches to research will be used; mixed methods research approach is introduced in this module; research instruments are explored to give the learners an appreciation of these instruments.

SEBI 104: Diversity of Life and Conservation 2

The module focuses on the kingdom’s plantae and animalia. It explores the plant families of ecological and economic importance in the flora Zambesiaca, seeds, fruits and their dispersal, and adaptations of plants to pollinating agents; the module outlines the grades of organisation and the evolution of the two main lines of animals drawing examples from economically important classes/orders, conservation of flora and fauna, sustainable use of plants and value addition.

SEBI 203: Plant Morphology, Physiology and Productivity

The module introduces basic plant anatomy and architecture/morphology, tissues of the higher plant body and their functions, tissue organisationreproductive structures general adaptations of anatomy and morphology ecophysiology of photosynthesis and respiration; macronutrients and micronutrients; mechanisms and control of transport processes; plant hormones; application of knowledge for improved productivity in farming.

EDGS 231: Gender Studies for Educators

The module empowers the students with knowledge and skills that enable them to be gender sensitive in the University, workplace and all their interactions. Topics covered include: understanding gender, theories of gender inequalities, the historical development of gender, gender analysis, and gender issues in society, redressing gender imbalances, empowerment and strategies for creating a gender-responsive environment.

BEIE 501: Entrepreneurship and Industrialisation in Education

This module equips the students with the relevant knowledge of how to set up and successfully operate business/production units within and outside educational institutions. It covers issues such as how to identify the educational needs of communities, factors to consider in deciding to set up an educational institution, the legal framework including the Education Act and Statutory Instruments, the need for school rules and regulations, disciplinary procedures, staff recruitment, training and development, budgets and budgetary control and how to market the new educational institution.

BEFM 231: School Administration & Financial Management in Education

The module introduces students to sound administration and financial management practices followed in schools and other educational institutions. It tackles the basic tenets of the nature and purpose of administration and familiarises students with skills in budgeting and budgetary control. Students are further introduced to the accounting requirements of Treasury Instructions, the School Services Fund, the General-Purpose Fund and School Development Association Funds. Students shall have been equipped with financial literacy to establish their business enterprises.

 

EFS 131 & EFPS 131 & EFPH 131: Applied Educational Foundations

This module enhances students with basic philosophical, psychological and sociological theories that are central to the learning and development of learners from diverse backgrounds. The module also interrogates the interconnection between educational foundations and innovation, thereby further equipping students with vibrant critical thinking skills to awaken the creative capabilities inherent in them.

 

SEBI 105: Genetics and Evolution

The module explores genetics: mitosis and meiosis, mendelian genetics and the chromosome theory of heredity, mutation and variation, introduction to population genetics, evolution: population genetics and variation, the concept of, and evidence for evolution, theory of evolution by natural selection, adaptation and adaptive radiation, the nature of species,specific mate recognition systems, isolating mechanisms and speciation, and application of principles of genetics in innovation.

SEBI 106: Animal Anatomy and Physiology

This module examines the function of tissues, organs, and organ systems, with an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function in animals from the level of the cell. The module shall dwell on bodily processes including respiration, circulation, digestion and excretion, digestion; circulation; respiration; excretion; nervous control; endocrinology; hormonal regulation, metabolism

SEBI 201: Principles of Ecology and Sustainable Management

This module introduces students to ecosystem processes and functions. The main relationships and interactions between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, major ecological zones of the world and the role of anthropogenic interference within natural ecological systems, nature and scope of ecology, levels of ecological organisation: individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems, population ecology, community ecology, the ecosystem, soil ecology, human impacts on ecosystems and sustainable management of resources.

SEBI 202: Biotechnology

The module examines the methods in biotechnology, ethical issues and legislation. It also focuses on viral elimination by meristeming, frost prevention, But genes, antisense technology, breeding for resistance/tolerance, gene therapy, bacteriology, microbiology sterilisation and euxinic culture, bacterial genetics the nature and replication of the bacterial genome, mutation, transformation, transduction and conjugation.

SEBI 203: Plant Morphology, Physiology and Productivity

The module considers the integrated structure and function of higher plants, Basic plant anatomy and architecture/morphology, tissues of the higher plant body and their functions. It also covers tissue organisation; reproductive structures, general adaptations of anatomy and morphology; and ecophysiology of photosynthesis and respiration. Macronutrients and micronutrients,mechanisms and control of transport processes, plant hormones, the application of knowledge for improved productivity are also included.

SEBI 204: Biomathematics

The module extends the range of usage of mathematical models in biology, ecology and evolution. Biologically, the course looks at models in evolution, population genetics and biological invasions. Mathematically the course involves the application of multivariable calculus, ordinary differential equations, stochastic models and partial differential equations, applications of the mathematical models in innovation

SEBI 205: Advanced Pedagogics in Biology

This module is designed to reflect on real classroom situations in comparison to theoretical, perspectives taken on becoming science teachers. The module focuses on classroom techniques, instructional procedures and languages, and teacher/learner interactions, updating classroom practices to be consistent with contemporary trends in science teaching, but which context and culturally sensitive, constructivist approach to Biology teaching, and 21st century teaching methods.

BED 135: Contemporary Issues in Education

The module exposes students to the most current global trends like Globalisation, Sustainable Development Goals, Gender, Human Rights, and Health pandemics and how these feed into and also how they affect the Zimbabwean Education system.  The thrust is to leverage current trends in promoting innovation, industrialisation and modernisation through Education 5.0.

 

BED 232: Research Project

In this final year, two-semester module each student carries out a research project in an area of his/her choice under the guidance of a supervisor. Through the study, students are expected to apply their knowledge and skills in research in the resolution of an identified research problem, as well as showing their appreciation of research as a viable process of addressing contemporary challenges and issues in education and their local environments.