About the College
The College of Natural and Computational Sciences came to being through an evolutionary development process from the then Division of Natural and Social Sciences (DNSS). Then, DNSS evolved to Faculty of Education (FOE) with a mission of training teachers for secondary schools. It was offering bachelors degree in various programs of natural and social science fields. In 2008 once again the College of Natural and Computational Sciences evolved from FOE and since then focusing training students in areas of natural sciences.
As of July, 2009, however, the Faculty of Education was re-structured into Colleges of Natural Sciences and Social Sciences & Law. Currently, the College of Natural and Computational Sciences encompasses three functional departments including the departments of Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
These departments train professionals in applied fields (regular program) and weekend program, with the exception of the Departments of Chemistry and Mathematics which currently does not give training in the weekend program. The last batch of undergraduate regular students trained for Biology in applied science for teaching at secondary schools graduated in the 2017/18 Academic Year. The curriculum for BSc in Statistics, Physics and Sport Science is already endorsed and the program hosts students as of September, 2018.
Getachew Gashaw (MS.c.)
Office Tel. +251256511319
Fax: +251256510041
P. O.Box 226
Email: g.gashaw@gmail.com
Message from the Dean
Dear all, who are navigating through our website seeking information about the college and college activities; welcome to College of Natural and Computational Sciences. Although the college is known by its current name, it has evolved through a series of expansions and re-organizations for the betterment of the quality of education and services to the community. All members of the college community are working in harmony towards the achievement of the set vision and missions of the college, hence of Oda Bultum University. We aspire to be the best higher learning institution known for its knowledgeable and skillful graduates; capable of offering community services.
Currently, the college hosts and trains students in three departments namely: Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics both at the undergraduate levels in regular as well as weekend programs. In fulfillment of our graduates’ and the interest to pursue further education at undergraduate level in our needful society, the college has already planned to launch additional three departments namely Physics, Statistics and Sport Science. Thus, the college welcomes the alumni and all interested applicants to join us and witness this expansion philosophy. For the successful delivery of both theoretical and practical training, the college has organized more than two laboratories, one computer laboratories for undergraduate students.
I can witness you that during your stay here at Oda Bultum University, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, we will equip you with the appropriate skills to effectively function in the rapidly changing global environment through our scholarly teaching programs coupled with practical activities, research and practical engagement in the community based education programs.
Our alumni are our mirrors; thus, your comments and feedback are invaluable. The college appreciates any feedback related to the overall and/or specific activities. We would like to remind you concerning the sustainable implementation of CBE philosophy wherever you are. In support of your efforts, we are working in close contact with secondary schools and research institutions in addition to consultancy services in regional states for the sustainability of community services.
For our customers and partners, please refer to the details given under different sections of the college including department offices for more detailed information. In addition, the Dean’s office is at a calls distance away for any comments and constructive criticism. Let us work together for our common benefit.
Vision and Mission of the College
Vision
The College aspires to be the best higher learning institution both locally and regionally with respect to research output and quality of graduating professionals.
Mission
As one of the colleges of Oda Bultum University, the college strives to integrate teaching, research, good governance and community services. To this end, it provides the highest quality education enabling the production of outstanding graduates of the highest caliber in the undergraduate levels; it promotes and conducts problem driven innovative research pertinent to nationwide development; it expands and maintains strong links with the greater community, in industry, with organizations, and other universities, both locally and internationally. In addition the college prepares students to become effective, ethically-minded, culturally mindful, and socially conscious global citizens and leaders in their field of study.
Objectives of the College
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To train competent and responsive professionals who can address the community’s problems through innovative and practical means.
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To promote the philosophy of Community Based Education (CBE) with the aim of bringing about palpable change in the community through active community participation and intersectoral collaboration.
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To contribute to societal development through the training of responsive professionals, the conduct of high-quality relevant research and professional advocacy.
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To promote the principle of educational equity irrespective of ethnicity, religion, sex and political background.
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To promote women’s participation in all spheres of development.
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To establish and strengthen partner and linkages with local and international institutions for the purpose of rendering high quality training, applied research and services.
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To develop sound organizational and management systems for the accomplishment of its objectives.
Facts about the College
According to the Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) program which has already been implemented at the University level, the College comprises of three departments: Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Currently, the College has qualified academic staffs with 22 lecturers (22 of whom are MSc holders) and 2 graduate assistants. Moreover, the college academic staffs who are fully engaged in supporting and facilitating the teaching learning, research and community services activities running in the college.
Facilities
The college has one basic science laboratories of which the Departments of Biology and Chemistry Departments have one basic science Laboratories of their own while the Department of Mathematics has one computer Laboratories of its own.
College Structure
According to the Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) program which has already been implemented at the University level, the College comprises of five departments: Biology, Chemistry,Mathematics,Physics and Statistics.
College AC Members and their Duties
The college’s Academic Commission (AC) is the highest decision making body of the college and chaired by the College Dean. Currently it is composed of department heads. The current office holders and their responsibilities are as summarized below:
S.No |
Name |
Responsibility |
Contact Address |
Telephone |
1 |
Getachew Gashaw (MSc) |
Dean |
g.gashaw@gmail.com |
0256511319 |
2 |
Nigatu Nemomsa (MSc) |
Head, Department of Biology |
nigatunemomsa@gmail.com |
0256511941 |
3 |
Genet Tewolde |
Head, Department of Chemistry |
rakebheaven@gmail.com |
0256510517 |
4 |
Sisay Fikadu |
Head, Department of Mathematics |
tayeabebe694@gmail.com |
0256512978 |
5 |
Mohamed Kabeto |
Head, Department of Physics |
mqabeto2008@gmail.com |
– |
6 |
Fuad Redi |
Head, Department of Statistics |
redifuad@gmail.com |
– |
Duties and Responsibilities of Academic Commission
The Academic Commission is chaired by the dean of the college and has the following powers and duties:
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Approves curricula for various levels of training in the college
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Makes suggestions in relation to changes in teaching methods
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Lays down the modalities of assessment/examinations
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Decides on the standard of students to be accepted from other Universities or Institutes
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Recommends to the Senate the grant to successful students of degrees, diplomas or certificates and the class they have been awarded in the examination
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Makes a necessary review of the college research and extension activities
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Approves promotions up to the rank of lecturer and forwards Assistant professorship and above to the senate for further approval
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Settles any academic problems which concern the college
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Gives opinion or decides (as the case may be) on any matters that the chairman may submit for its consideration.
CNCS Programs
Programs of CNS
Undergraduate (Regular)
Undergraduate Programs
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BSc in Biology (Regular, Weekend, Summer)
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BSc in Chemistry
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BSc in Mathematics (Regular, Summer)
Departments
Department of Biology
Introduction
The science of biology deals with the systematized acquisition of knowledge on living things and their environments in its basic aspects and the use of such knowledge to benefit mankind in its applied aspects. Biological issues are at the heart of the daily life and survival of humans irrespective of differences in culture, geographical location, wealth and levels of advancement.
Biological principles are practiced ranging from primitive societies that use crude ways of getting food and other survival requirements from the immediate environment through hunting and gathering to the most advanced societies that use cutting edge technologies to solve problems that challenge the survival and wellbeing of mankind. Research in climate change, biofuel production, rapid propagation of crops, gene therapy and cloning are examples of the latter category.
The relevance and importance of biological teaching and research to Ethiopia is thus apparent. As a developing nation aspiring to achieve overall advancement, the country has the option to combine both low and high level knowledge in biology to benefit its society particularly in the areas of food security, health, environmental protection and climate change. The country promotes the science of biology through advanced level university study and research. This document is the Harmonized Curriculum of Biology teaching for the Bachelor Degree Program across the various universities Nationwide.
The modular curriculum has been prepared at different levels. The first draft was prepared by committees established by departments of each university. Then the draft documents were harmonized by university clusters and finally the National modular curriculum was developed by an assembly of representatives from the various public universities in the country at a workshop held between October 03 and 05, 2012 at the Ethiopian Management Institute.
The Department of Biology has launched its first undergraduate trainings in Oda Bultum University in 2015/16 in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Biology in regular program, with the objective of producing competent graduates with the required biological knowledge, transferable skills; and good attitude and professional ethics to work in industries, research organizations, health and educational institutions.
These new programs are intended to provide better and ample job opportunities for graduate students in industries, research organizations, health and educational institutions. Currently, the Department of Biology is offering B.Sc. undergraduate programs.
These new programs are intended to provide better and ample job opportunities for graduate students in industries, research organizations, health and educational institutions. Currently, the Department of Biology is offering B.Sc. undergraduate programs.
Program Objectives
General objective
The overall objective of the program is to train students of high academic caliber at Bachelor of Science level who can take up position in various related disciplines such as teaching, agriculture, health, environmental conservation, industries.
Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the program are to:
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Enable students acquire practical and technical skills required for utilizing biological tools.
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Produce responsible graduates that are committed to their profession.
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Train students who can design and apply the principles of biology to identify and solve societal problems related to environment, agriculture, health, industry and teaching.
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Produce candidates for teaching biology in high schools and higher learning institutions of the Country after taking the necessary pedagogical training.
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Lay the foundations for a tradition of research oriented and practical system of biology education in the country.
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Produce trainable man power for advanced biological and related fields of study.
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Produce graduates capable to analyze and interpret biological data, and present scientific reports in the form of articles, posters or oral presentations.
professional profile
Upon completing the undergraduate study program in Biology, a graduate is supposed to acquire the following skills and knowledge:
Critical thinking and problem- solving ability
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Graduates will be able to solve problem by implementation of the scientific process of forming hypotheses, gathering and critically evaluating information from the literature, the use of technology etc.
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employing experimental design in laboratory, field settings and synthesizing and analyzing information by using numerical and statistical technique
Scientific concepts (Knowledge)
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Proficiency in a range of basic biological concepts such as: molecular, cellular and organismal perspectives
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Demonstrate knowledge of material and an understanding of a range of concepts and issues in those areas of Biology.
Effective communication
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Graduates will be able to engage in effective scientific communication in a professional setting, including technical writing, oral presentation and use of available technology.
Ethical responsibility
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Apply ethical practice and behavior in all aspects of biological scientific endeavors and demonstrates the ethical aspects of science, their conduct as a scientist and their conduct as a citizens.
Cultural diversity
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Graduates will be able to approach and solve biological problems critically with scientific literacy in individual and group settings and incorporate a diversity of ideas and approach.
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Interact professionally in situation with others having different background culture, education and interests.
Graduate Profile
Upon completing the undergraduate study program in Biology, a graduate should develop scientific concepts (knowledge), critical thinking and problem solving ability, effective communication skills and ethical responsibility with the appreciation of cultural diversity.
Specifically the graduate can:
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Use and handle basic biological lab equipments, chemicals, and reagents effectively.
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Transfer basic knowledge concerning cellular biology
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Transfer knowledge of the anatomy, morphology physiology and adaptation of plants for different environmental conditions
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Value the economic and ecological importance of plants
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Apply botanical techniques on gardening, cultivation, collection and preservation of plant specimens
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Categorize and classify animals based on their Phylogenetic relationships
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Establish business enterprise on apiculture and sericulture products
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Design and formulate insect pest and vector management strategies
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Plan and implement sustainable management strategies in the conservation and utilization of aquatic resources
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Design and apply aquaculture techniques in the commercial production of aquatic organisms
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Apply microbial techniques in isolation, identification, cultivation and characterization of microorganisms used in Agriculture, Medicine, Industries, Environment and related sectors.
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Identify and systematically categorize organisms based on evolutionary relationship
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Apply herbarium and zoological museum techniques
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document indigenous knowledge on conservation and utilization of natural resources
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enhance the capacity of national parks and environmental protection agencies
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apply mitigation measures on environmental changes
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Design preventive and management measures against infectious diseases
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Assists in immunodiagnostic research activities
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Participate in awareness creation in HIV/AIDS and other epidemic diseases
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Develop project proposals, conduct Biological researches and write scientific report in Agricultural, Medicinal, Industrial and related sectors.
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Apply and use molecular and biotechnological techniques in various sectors to solve societal problems
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Apply biological field techniques and experimental design.
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Assist in experimental and practical applications of the principles in plant and animal hybridization.
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Use tissue culture and biotechnology techniques in experimental and practical applications
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Identify different behavioral patterns displayed by animals.