Chala Dandessa Debela (MSc.)

Head, Department of Biology

Background

The department of Biology is among the sister departments under College of Natural Sciences, Salale University. The department is committed to run its major activities targeting the three pillars: Teaching-learning, Research and Community Development Support Services in line with mission and vision of Salale University. Established in 2016, the department of biology is currently running its programs both in undergraduate and postgraduate studies in regular and weekend modalities. The department also commenced graduation ceremony of 138 Bachelor’s degree graduates and more than 15 MSc graduate since its establishment. Currently, the Department is running its duties with 23 staff members including 19 instructors and 4 Technical Assistances.

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, and 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. Generally, the Department of Biology is running activities to support teaching-learning, research and community services by mobilizing staff members and organized laboratories.

Graduate Profile

Upon completing the undergraduate study program in Biology, a graduate should develop scientific concepts, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving ability, effective communication skills and ethical responsibility with the appreciation of cultural diversity. Specifically the graduate can:

• Use and handle basic biological lab equipment, chemicals and reagents effectively.
• Transfer basic knowledge concerning cellular biology.
• Transfer knowledge of the anatomy, morphology, physiology and adaptation of plants and animals for different environmental conditions.
• Value the economic and ecological importance of plants and animals.
• Apply botanical techniques on gardening, cultivation, collection and preservation of plant specimens.
• Categorize and classify animals based on their Phylogenetic relationships.
• Establish business enterprise on apiculture and sericulture products.
• Design and formulate insect pest and vector management strategies.
• Plan and implement sustainable management strategies in the conservation and utilization of aquatic resources.
• Design and apply aquaculture techniques in the commercial production of aquatic organisms.
• Apply microbial techniques in isolation, identification, cultivation and characterization of microorganisms used in Agriculture, Medicine, Industries, Environment and related sectors.
• Identify and systematically categorize organisms based on evolutionary relationship.
• Apply herbarium and zoological museum techniques.
• Document indigenous knowledge on conservation and utilization of natural resources.
• Enhance the capacity of national parks and environmental protection agencies.
• Apply mitigation measures on environmental changes.
• Design preventive and management measures against infectious diseases.
• Assist in immunodiagnostic research activities.
• Participate in awareness creation in HIV/AIDS and other epidemic diseases.
• Develop project proposals, conduct Biological researches and write scientific report in Agricultural, Medicinal, Industrial and related sectors.
• Apply and use molecular and biotechnological techniques in various sectors to solve societal problems.
• Apply biological field techniques and experimental design.
• Assist in experimental and practical applications of the principles in plant and animal hybridization.
• Use tissue culture and biotechnology techniques in experimental and practical applications.
• Identify different behavioral patterns displayed by animals.
• Pursue postgraduate trainings in national as well as international higher learning institutions.
• Teach biology in high schools and higher learning institutions after receiving basic pedagogical trainings.
• Provide professional service and leadership in biological disciplines, positively influence the society and serve as agent of change in matters related to biological sciences such as conservation and management of natural resources, disease control, and food security.

Mission

• To provide students the opportunity to explore life, in all complexity and diversity, to develop each student’s ability to acquire and critically interpret knowledge of basic facts and theories of biology, to relate that knowledge to other subject areas in the liberal arts, to add to the body of biological knowledge through research, and to communicate his or her understanding to others both within and outside the field of biology.
  • Salale University aspires to be a leading comprehensive university in the country by 2030 G.C.

Vision

• TTo serve as a center of excellence in the pursuit of knowledge and careers in the biological science using an evolving curriculum, integrated with practical activities to educate students on the theory and practice of the biological sciences and thus to develop critical thinking skills and become life-long learners and successful professionals, scientists, and entrepreneurs among students.
  • The mission of Salale University is to produce competent and innovative graduates in diversified fields of study; conduct problem solving researches, transfer technologies; and provide demand-driven community services.

Key Objectives:

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, research centers, etc. The specific objectives of the program are to:

• Enable students to acquire practical and technical skills required for utilizing biological tools.
• Produce responsible graduates that are committed to their profession.
• 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.
• Produce candidates for teaching biology in high schools and higher learning institutions of the Country after taking the necessary pedagogical training.
• Lay the foundations for a tradition of research oriented and practical system of biology education in the country.
• Produce trainable man power for advanced biological and related fields of study.
• Produce graduates capable to analyze and interpret biological data, and present scientific reports in the form of articles, posters or oral presentations.
• Produce graduates capable to create their own enterprise depending on what they acquired at university rather than waiting the employment from government alone.

List of staffs and their profile

Staff Profile Details

Academic Programs

a. Number of BSc Programs • BSc in Biology Currently, there is one active undergraduate program “Bachelor of Science in Biology”. Additionally, there are two undergraduate programs (Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology) in the progress to request the University and other stakeholders to be launched after getting necessary recognition.

b. Number of MSc Programs • MSc in Applied Genetics and Biotechnology Currently, there is one active Postgraduate (MSc program) “Master of Science in Applied Genetics and Biotechnology”. Additionally, there are two MSc programs (Master of Science in Applied Microbiology and Master of Science in Botanical Sciences) in the progress to request the University and other stakeholders to be launched after getting necessary recognition.