VU
Virtual University of Pakistan
Federal Government University

Associate Degree in Zoology

Introduction

Introduction

The Associate Degree in Zoology is a comprehensive two-year program designed to build a strong foundation in the core areas of zoological sciences. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including Biodiversity, Animal Biology, and Animal Biochemistry, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. This program equips students with the essential skills needed for entry-level roles in zoology-related fields and serves as a stepping stone for those pursuing advanced studies in the biological sciences.

Objectives

Objectives

The major aims and objectives of the Associate Degree in Zoology are

  1. To provide comprehensive knowledge of key Zoology disciplines, facilitating advanced studies and specialization in emerging multidisciplinary fields like Biodiversity, Environmental Biology, Wildlife Conservation, and Fisheries
  2. To empower students to effectively apply their acquired knowledge in their chosen fields.
  3. To equip students with both practical and theoretical skills to enhance the planning and management of animal resources and agriculture.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Candidates who have passed 12 years of education with Biology, having a minimum of 45% marks (Intermediate / A -level / I. Com / DAE or equivalent relevant qualification).
  2. Candidates who have passed 12 years of education with Biology, having less than 45% marks but have more than 50% marks in Biology (Intermediate / A -A-level / I. Com / DAE or equivalent relevant qualification).
  3. Candidates who have passed 12 years of education with Biology having less than 45% marks but even less than 50% marks in Biology (Intermediate / A -level / I. Com / DAE or equivalent relevant qualification) shall be eligible, subject to the completion of a customized zero semester with a CGPA of 2.0.
  4. Candidates who have passed 12 years of education without Biology, having a minimum of 45% marks (Intermediate /A-level / I. Com / DAE or equivalent relevant qualification) shall be eligible, but they have to study an extra course in Biology as a deficiency offered by the department.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria

The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, quizzes, Graded Discussion Boards (GDBs), mid-semester, and end-of-semester examinations. The following table shows further details of the assessment.

 

Semester Work

Apply

Graded/Non-Graded

Marks Weightage

Count

Quizzes

 

 

Graded

 

10-20%

2-4 / Course

GDBs

 

1 / Course

Assignments

 

2-4 / Course

MDBs

 

Non-Graded

 

Hands on Practice

 

Non-Graded

1 / Week

Live Sessions

 

Non-Graded

1 / Week

Mid-Semester Exam

 

Graded

20-30%

1 / Course

End Semester Exam

 

Graded

60%

1 / Course

Total

100 %

 

Assessment Mechanism of Lab work / Practical(s):

The final evaluation for this course is designed to assess students' practical skills and understanding of Zoology techniques through a combination of online and hybrid hands-on exercises, as well as a final exam conducted at designated exam centers.

Assessment Evaluation Activity

Weightage (%)

Hands-on Practical Performance

25%

Evaluation (through LMS)

15%

Practical Notebook (Soft/Hard/Digital)

10%

Final Term Exam (In Exam Center)

50%

Total

100%

Note: Minimum 50% score is required in the hands-on practical performance assessment to pass the practical course. 70% attendance is mandatory to qualify to sit in final term exam of the lab course.

Award of Degree

To be eligible for the award of Degree, a student is required to complete/ passing of the subjects of the scheme of study with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 out of 4.

Project / Internship / Practicals

Lab Work

To provide a hands-on learning experience to the students of the Associate Degree in Zoology program, a practical course, Practical/Laboratory Zoology-Part A of 6(0+6) credit hours.

Scheme of Study

Total Credit Hours 68
Total Semesters 4
Duration 2 years


Associate Degree Programs (Associate Degree in Zoology)
Semester No. 1
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
BIO5105 Cell Biology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Zoology
CS101 Introduction to Computing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Computer Science
ENG101 English Comprehension Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) English
MTH100 General Mathematics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Mathematics
BIO5102 Public Health and Nutrition Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
ETH202 Ethics (for Non-Muslims) Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
ISL202 Islamic Studies Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 2
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CHE201 Physical Chemistry Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Bioinformatics
ENG201 Business and Technical English Writing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) English
MTH202 Discrete Mathematics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Mathematics
ZOO512T Animal Diversity: Invertebrates (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Zoology
ZOO513T Animal Diversity: Chordates (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Zoology
PAK302 Pakistan Studies Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0) Sociology
 
Semester No. 3
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
BIO504T Biochemistry I (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Bioinformatics
BIO505T Essentials of Genetics (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Bioinformatics
MB502T Molecular Biology (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Molecular Biology
MGT602 Entrepreneurship Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Management
ZOO517T Animal Form & Function-II (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Zoology
PAK522 Ideology and Constitution of Pakistan Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
ZOO501T Developmental Biology (Theory) Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0) Zoology
 
Semester No. 4
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
SOC610 Electronic Media & Virtual Community Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Sociology
ZOO510 Economic Zoology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Zoology
ZOO519T Physiology (Theory) Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0) Zoology
BT605 Biosafety & Bioethics Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0) Biotechnology
 


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