The Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications for applicants with Form Six, RPL qualifications and Certificate in OUT’s Foundation Programme are as shown below:

• Applicants who completed A-Level studies before 2014

Two principal passes with a total of 4.0 points from Two Science Subjects defining the admission into the respective programme (where A = 5; B = 4; C= 3; D = 2; E = 1, S = 0.5; F = 0).

• Applicants who completed A-Level studies from 2014 onwards

Two principal passes (Two Cs) with a total of 4.0 points from Two Science Subjects defining the admission into the respective programme (where A = 5; B+ = 4; B = 3; C= 2; D = 1; E = 1, S = 0.5; F = 0).

• Applicants with Recognition of Prior Learning qualification

B+ Grade: where A =75-100, B+ = 65-74, B=50-64, C =40, 49, D = 35-39, F = 0-38.

• Applicants with OUT’s Certificate in Foundation Programme

Overall average of at least 50% (B grade) from the 6 courses with passes in at least 2 core subjects.

• Applicants with Diploma qualification the minimum entry qualification is Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (C.S.E.E.) or East African Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) or equivalent, with at least 4 passes (D’s and above) or NVA level III with less than 4 passes at CSEE.

AND

A Diploma or FTC with the following specific requirements:

(i) Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6) with at least GPA of 3.0;OR

(ii) Full Technician Certificate (FTC) with at least GPA of 3.0 (where A = 5, B = 4,C = 3 and D = 2 points);OR

(iii) Diploma in Teacher Education with an average of ‘C’ grade;OR

(iv) Health related awards such as Clinical Medicine and others with average of ‘B’ grade;OR

(v) Credit class diploma for classified diplomas and certificates in terms of ‘distinctions, credit or pass’ OR

(vi) Lower Second Class diploma for classified non-NTA diplomas;

Degree courses in the department of life sciences will be offered mainly by distance mode of delivery. Study materials will be supplied to students who have paid the fees. Students will be given access to MOODLE learning platform for further materials, interacting with tutors, and writing assignments. All the study materials are written in a house-style which is suited for distance learners such that they will be stimulating and thought provoking for adults as well as young students. Students will be required to attend practical sessions in each academic year (Year 1 = Level 1, Year 2 = Level 2, and Year 3 = Level 3) at designated established institutions. Furthermore, all students must undertake special projects in their final year of study as a partial fulfilment for the degree of B.Sc. general.

The fees for the degree programmes will follow the standard fees structure for OUT.

Continuing students:

(a) Any student having a ‘Repeat’ subject must pay in full the subject’s fees according to the rates approved by Council (please look at the recent University prospectus).

(b) The amount to be paid as examination fee for every paper registered for University examination or main test is indicated in the current prospectus. Students who were admitted before 2012/13 academic year, should evaluate the cumulative amount of fees that they have paid since beginning studies at

OUT, then subtract this from the programme fee, to know how much they still need to pay at the level that they have reached.  For most programmes, those wishing to advance to Level 2 (200 series) must have paid at least TSh.720,000;  those moving to level 3 (300 series), must have paid at least TSh.1,440,000. Before graduation, one must have paid at least TSh.  2,160,000. This does not include fees for REPEAT subjects.  Students who still lag behind in fees are advised to complete the gap in fees paid before being allowed to continue with the next level. Evidence of previous payments made must be presented and copies must be attached to the registration form.

(c) Students are allowed to pay 50% of the fees due by the end of the registration period announced by DES. A penalty of at least 20,000 ($20 for international students) will be levied to those who fail to pay by the deadline, as approved by Council and announced by the Directorate of Examinations Syndicate.

(d) Fees once paid, cannot be refunded until after the expiry of the registration period. The refund will be made after deduction of applicable administration costs, on the excess amount to be refunded.

All New students:

All new students will pay all their fees according to the new rates approved by Council (please look at the current University prospectus). The students must note that having registered for some courses; you are expected to pay at least 50% of the total fees required by the deadlines as announced by DES. Paying after that deadline means you will also pay in addition, the penalty for late payment of at least T.sh. 20,000.

On successful completion of the biological sciences subjects, students should be able to:

• (i.) Define important terms in general biology at undergraduate level
• (ii.) Explain basic zoology and botany concepts
• Describe zoological and botanical processes
• Deduce basic processes in zoology and botany
• (v.) Solve some problems related to zoology and botany
• To carry out empirical/practical studies involving a variety of laboratory and/or field methods
• To collect and analyse data using quantitative research methods and interpret the results of the analysis.
• To use various zoological and botanical instruments.
• To design and execute an independent research

The BSc programmes shall follow the general OUT assessment strategy i.e. Main Timed Test (MTT 30%) and Annual Examination (AE 70%) except for the courses with practical where the assessment shall be (100%). For the formative courses the assessment shall be out of 100%.