Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology program is holistically and fundamentally aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by providing a deep understanding of the microbial world, which is critical to environmental health, human well-being, and industrial innovation. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing scientific inquiry, research, and the application of microbiological knowledge to solve real-world problems, makes it a powerful contributor to sustainability. The program's core strength lies in its profound connection to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through the study of immunology, virology, and medical microbiology. It directly addresses critical environmental challenges related to SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through its focus on microbial ecology and bioremediation. Furthermore, the curriculum is a key driver for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) via food and agricultural microbiology, and for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through industrial applications and biotechnology. As a fundamental science program, it is a flagship of SDG 4 (Quality Education).
SDG 2: Zero HungerAlignment Summary: This program directly addresses food security and sustainable agriculture by exploring the roles of microorganisms in food production, preservation, and safety. Courses in food and agricultural microbiology are essential for developing safer food processing techniques, improving soil fertility, and creating sustainable food systems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214532 | Food Microbiology | Supports food security by teaching how to control microorganisms to ensure food safety and to use beneficial microbes for food fermentation, reducing food spoilage (Target 2.1 & 2.2). |
| SC214631 | Agricultural Microbiology | Aligns with sustainable agriculture by studying the roles of microorganisms in soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and plant health, which is crucial for increasing agricultural productivity (Target 2.4). |
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: The curriculum is central to promoting good health by providing a deep understanding of infectious diseases, immunology, and the development of antimicrobial agents. This knowledge is critical for diagnosing, treating, and preventing communicable diseases, thereby reducing mortality and promoting well-being.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC213201 | Immunology | Directly contributes to fighting communicable diseases by studying the immune system's response to pathogens, which is the basis for vaccines and immunotherapy (Target 3.3). |
| SC214531 | Medical Microbiology | Aligns with ending the epidemics of communicable diseases by focusing on the microorganisms that cause human disease, their diagnosis, and treatment (Target 3.3). |
| SC214533 | Virology | Supports the fight against epidemics by studying viruses, the diseases they cause (like influenza and HIV), and the development of antiviral strategies (Target 3.3). |
| SC214534 | Antimicrobials | Is fundamental to treating infectious diseases by studying the mechanisms of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs and addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (Target 3.D). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a fundamental science program, the curriculum itself is a vehicle for high-quality education. It is designed to foster scientific literacy, critical thinking, and advanced research skills, equipping students with the knowledge and competencies for sustainable development and lifelong learning.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214891 | Seminar | Enhances education for sustainable development by requiring students to research and present on advanced microbiological topics, fostering the skills for lifelong learning (Target 4.7). |
| SC214892 | Special Project | Provides quality education by enabling students to conduct independent research, applying the scientific method to solve problems and create new knowledge (Target 4.7). |
| SC000213 | Co-operative Education in Science | Increases the number of youths and adults who have relevant skills for employment by providing extensive, hands-on work experience in a scientific or industrial setting (Target 4.4). |
SDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationAlignment Summary: The program provides the essential microbiological expertise for ensuring clean water and sanitation. The study of aquatic microbiology and microbial ecology is crucial for monitoring water quality, understanding waterborne pathogens, and developing biological wastewater treatment processes.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214535 | Aquatic Microbiology | Directly supports the goal of clean water by studying the microorganisms in aquatic environments, which is essential for assessing water quality and managing water resources (Target 6.3). |
| SC213401 | Microbial Ecology | Contributes to the protection of water-related ecosystems by studying the role of microorganisms in nutrient cycles and the biodegradation of pollutants in water systems (Target 6.6). |
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyAlignment Summary: This curriculum contributes to the development of clean energy by exploring the use of microorganisms in biofuel production. Industrial microbiology provides the knowledge for harnessing microbial metabolism to convert biomass into renewable energy sources like ethanol and biogas.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214632 | Industrial Microbiology | Contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy by teaching the principles of using microorganisms to produce biofuels from renewable raw materials (Target 7.2). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program fuels economic growth by producing highly skilled microbiologists for a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, agriculture, and biotechnology. It promotes decent work by instilling a strong culture of biosafety and professional ethics.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214632 | Industrial Microbiology | Contributes to higher levels of economic productivity through technological upgrading and innovation by applying microorganisms to industrial processes (Target 8.2). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: Microbiology is a key driver of innovation, particularly in the biotechnology industry. This program is fundamentally about fostering innovation by providing the knowledge to harness microorganisms for creating new products, developing cleaner industrial processes, and conducting the research necessary for technological breakthroughs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214632 | Industrial Microbiology | Directly supports the upgrading of industrial infrastructure and the promotion of clean and environmentally sound technologies by using microbes for production (Target 9.4). |
| SC214633 | Microbial Biotechnology | Enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities by teaching the genetic manipulation and application of microorganisms for industrial, medical, and environmental purposes (Target 9.5). |
| SC214892 | Special Project | Supports scientific research and innovation by training students in the process of discovery and development of new microbiological knowledge and applications (Target 9.5). |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable cities by providing the microbiological expertise to manage waste and control pollution. Microbial processes are key to biological waste treatment systems, helping to reduce the environmental impact of urban areas.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC213401 | Microbial Ecology | Contributes to reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by studying bioremediation, the use of microbes to break down urban and industrial pollutants (Target 11.6). |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The curriculum promotes responsible production patterns by teaching how to use microorganisms to create more sustainable industrial processes. This includes using microbes to produce valuable products from waste materials and developing biotechnologies that are cleaner and more efficient than traditional chemical processes.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214632 | Industrial Microbiology | Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by using microorganisms to convert renewable raw materials and waste streams into valuable products (Target 12.2). |
| SC214633 | Microbial Biotechnology | Directly supports the environmentally sound management of wastes by developing biotechnological solutions for waste treatment and valorization (Target 12.4 & 12.5). |
SDG 14: Life Below WaterAlignment Summary: The program contributes to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems by providing the tools to understand and mitigate water pollution. The study of aquatic microbiology and microbial ecology is crucial for assessing the health of marine environments and for developing bioremediation strategies to clean up contaminants.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC214535 | Aquatic Microbiology | Helps to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution by studying the microorganisms that indicate and can remediate pollution in marine and coastal ecosystems (Target 14.1). |
| SC213401 | Microbial Ecology | Contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans by studying the critical roles of microorganisms in marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles (Target 14.2). |
SDG 15: Life On LandAlignment Summary: The curriculum supports the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems through the study of microbial ecology. Microorganisms are fundamental to soil health, nutrient cycling, and the decomposition of organic matter, and this knowledge is essential for combating land degradation and conserving biodiversity.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC213401 | Microbial Ecology | Is fundamental to the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems by studying the vital roles of microbes in soil formation and health (Target 15.1). |
| SC214631 | Agricultural Microbiology | Contributes to halting and reversing land degradation by promoting the use of beneficial soil microbes to improve soil fertility and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers (Target 15.3). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education and research projects, which create a vital bridge between the university and industries, research institutions, and environmental agencies. This collaboration is essential for sharing knowledge and technology to achieve the SDGs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC000213 | Co-operative Education in Science | Directly encourages and promotes effective public-private and civil society partnerships by immersing students in real-world industrial and research environments (Target 17.17). |
| SC214892 | Special Project | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by contributing new, publicly accessible scientific knowledge and often involves collaboration with industrial partners (Target 17.6). |