REGULATIONS FOR THE MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN BIOLOGY AND APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES (EDU73)

Duration:                                      11/2 years

Actual Credit Load                 288

Minimum Credit Load:         270

Maximum Credit Load:        330

Total MBKS Credit Load:     234

ZNQF Level:                                9

 

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

         To prepare highly specialised personnel for higher education, government departments and non-governmental organisations who have research and innovation skills.

2.0   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry:

Normal Entry: BSc Education, Bachelor of Education Degree, or BSc with Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Diploma in Education, Grad CE, PGDTE or equivalent from accredited and recognized institutions. 

3.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Areas of Study:

Biology Education

Specialist Focus:

Biology teaching, learning and research

Orientation:

Pedagogical issues, research, innovation, problem solving, industrialisation

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Employability:

Graduates can be employed as teachers, lecturers, education inspectors, training officers, consultants and researchers

Further Studies:

Doctoral studies in Biology Education

 

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
MICT732	Advanced Information Communication Technology in Education	18
MED741	Advanced Research Methods and Statistics	18
MSEBI701	Biodiversity and Climate Change	18
MSEBI702	Advanced Biotechnology Application	18
MSEBI703	Curriculum and Pedagogical Issues in Biology	18

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
MED743	Gender Discourse in Education	18
FMED732	Financial Management in Educational Institutions	18
MSEBI704	Advanced Microbiology	18
MSEBI705	Advanced Biological Science Techniques	18

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
MSEBI706	Social Biology	18
MSEBI707	Measurement and Evaluation in Biology Education	18
MED744	Dissertation	90

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

MICT 732: Advanced Information Communication Technology in Education

This module helps students acquire advanced specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of ICTs in educational environments. The topics covered include Models of ICT curriculum integration, educational ICT policy development, current and emerging issues in digital learning, contemporary learning design theories and frameworks, and framing assessment within 21st-century contexts, ICT in educational research, among others.

MED741: Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

The module develops postgraduate students’ knowledge in the following areas of educational research: the different philosophical orientations in research; research paradigms; theoretical and conceptual frameworks; research designs; data collection methodologies; advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques; as well as discussion of findings and making conclusions. The module also introduces students to significant educational research problems whose resolution have the potential to contribute to knowledge in educational areas such as pedagogy and assessment, as well as in sustainable development issues such as health, poverty eradication, environmental awareness, etc.

MSEBI701: Biodiversity and Climate Change

The module seeks to provide broad, integrated knowledge on key issues in the climate change and sustainable development field. The module covers topics such as sustainable development; the climate system, anthropogenic forcing and climate system response, Threats to the Biodiversity, socioeconomic importance of biodiversity, biodiversity conservation, and mechanisms to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

MSEBI702: Advanced Biotechnology Applications

The module discusses the process of genetic engineering and its use in Biotechnology, defines biotechnology, the methods and applications of biotechnology and examines the consequences of developments in this area. It covers many aspects of medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology and environmental biotechnology, biotechnology research and development, and the wide range of biotechnology applications, ethics and societal issues relevant to controversial applications of biotechnology.

MSEBI703: Curriculum and Pedagogical Issues in Biology  

Analysis of the current Biology curricula in Zimbabwe in terms of relevance and consistency with developments in the field of Biology, contemporary issues in Biology pedagogy, and use of ICT in teaching and learning of Biology.

MED743: Gender Discourse in Education

The module explores fundamental perspectives in Gender Studies to address historical gender inequalities in society and Education in particular. It inculcates a critical analysis of the concept of gender, its historical development and ideologies that perpetuate gender differences. The module explores implications for sustainable development goals on gender, education and development. It also explores gender inequalities in STEM as one of the pillars of development.

MSEBI704: Advanced Microbiology

The module examines microbial physiology, microbial evolution, medical microbiology, environmental microbiology, industrial microbiology, aeromicrobiology, and food microbiology. The module is divided into the following sections, Bacteriology, Mycology, Protozoology, Phycology, Parasitology and Virology. Structures, life cycles and economic importance of all the microorganisms. Techniques to study microorganisms, methods of survey, culture, stain, identify, engineer and manipulate aseptic techniques, plating methods and calculation of concentration of microorganisms.

MSEBI705: Advanced Biological Science techniques

This module provides the advanced laboratory techniques required of a Biology graduate. Molecular cloning, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, macromolecule blotting and probing, microarrays, allele-specific oligonucleotide, microscopy, practical application, advantages and disadvantages of the techniques and use of techniques in research.

MSEBI706: Social Biology

The module examines processes that underlie social behavior and discusses solutions and approaches to a variety of problems and issues, examining contemporary issues in biology, health, well-being and well-ness.

MSEBI707: Measurement and Evaluation in Biology Education

Introduction to educational testing, measurement and evaluation in Biology Education, types of evaluation, measurement techniques, characteristics of a good test, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, reliability, validity and usability, principles of test construction and administration in Biology Education. Item analysis and test score interpretations.

FMED732 Financial Management in Educational Institutions

The module introduces financial management practices followed in schools and other educational institutions. It considers basic accounting concepts and conventions, including the double entry system of recording business transactions, preparation of general-purpose financial statements, bank reconciliation statements, and skills of budgeting and budgetary control as well as accounting requirements of Treasury Instructions.

MED744: Dissertation

The Dissertation is a research study carried out over two semesters by each postgraduate student under the guidance of a supervisor. Students apply their knowledge and skills in conducting research on contemporary educational and social issues in their area of specialisation. Students are encouraged to conduct research which has the potential to contribute to knowledge and policies in education, and in social issues such as poverty, disaster and risk management, environmental conservation, etc. Students are expected to produce and submit a dissertation that meets the standards of research work at the Masters Level.