Faculty of Science was first established in the University in October,
1964. It consisted of two Schools, the School of Biological Sciences and the
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
In
October 1967, the two Schools became autonomous teaching units, each with its
own Dean and Board of Studies, but they worked closely together through a joint
Board. They also co-operated with the then College of Education in running B.Sc.
(Education) Programme. The two Schools along with the then Institute of
Computer Sciences were finally merged in October, 1973 to constitute the
present Faculty of Science. Since
its inception, the Faculty organized its instruction by subjects. Each student
was required to take 3 subjects in the first year, two in the second year and
two or one in the third year of his/her Degree Programme.
As
from October 1974, Senate approved a new Degree structure based on course units.
In 1982, the Faculty of Science started
an integrated, Four-year Degree Programme for the award of a Bachelor’s Degree
in one particular Science subject. Although the Programme leads to an Honours Degree,
it was considered necessary to have a broad-based Programme so that every
student is exposed to as many subject areas as possible, particularly, in the
first few pyramidal Degree structure. The distribution and concentration
requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree are well spelt out in the regulations.
For
the award of a B.Sc. Degree, a minimum number of units from courses in Years I
to IV or V must be passed. Details of selection of courses are given in Faculty
Prospectus as well as guidelines to an Honour’s
Degree in a particular Programme can be obtained in the Departmental
Information Hand Book. A major advantage of the new system is its inherent
flexibility in that students progress at their own pace. The old system of pass
and move to a higher level, or fail and repeat the whole year was dispensed
with. Once a student has satisfied a minimum pass level to remain in the
University, he/she can select a work –load that must be carried to remain a
full time student in the Faculty. A maximum work-load per Semester that can be
carried by a student is also specified. Other features of the new Degree
structure are the introduction of Faculty courses, passes in which are
mandatory for the award of a Degree in the Faculty. These courses are introduced
to ensure that every Graduate from the Faculty has a minimum exposure to some
basic Science courses. Students, if they so desire, can take courses in any
Faculty outside that of Science also specified. The final award of the B.Sc. is
based on assessment of all courses taken from year of entry to graduation.
Continuous Assessment of each course and attendance at classes are also
mandatory.
The
Faculty presently has seventeen (17) different Programmes being run by eleven
departments with dedicated Academic, Non-Teaching and Technical Staff.
Number
of Departments in the Faculty - 11
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