About the Department

The Department of Applied Sciences (AS) began in 2019 after the transformation from the Department of Science and Business Management. It is situated in the College of Science and Technical Education (CoSTE) at Mbeya University of Science and Technology Main Campus 10 km outside Mbeya city center and about 3 Km from the Mbeya – Tunduma Highway. The road to CoSTE branches from the highway at the Iyunga – TAZARA area.

Academic programmes

The Department of Applied Sciences is pride to lead the application of scientific knowledge, research and innovation to solve real world problems. The department play a pivotal role to impart knowledge and hands on skills to our students as well as the community through outreach activities, applied research and consultancy. In doing so we contribute to national and global economic development. Currently, we offer two programmes in Laboratory Science and Technology;

Bachelor of laboratory Science and Technology

A three years programme that is designed to train competent and reliable laboratory technologists who are well equipped with diverse job skills to meet the demand in industrial, research and education laboratories.

Entry qualifications/requirement

Entry1: Form six holders

Two principal passes of at least “D” grade at Advanced Level in Biology and Chemistry or Physics and must have a Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with a pass in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

OR

Entry2: Diploma holders

Holders of Diploma (NTA level 6) in Laboratory Sciences and Technology with an average of B or GPA not less than 3.0 and Possession of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with a pass in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

OR

Entry 3: Certificate holders

Possession of Full Technician Certificate (FTC) in Laboratory Technology respectively, all with an average of B and Possession of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with a pass in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Skills

• Ability to learn specific, practical techniques and apply this knowledge to solve technical problems
• Ability to perform laboratory tests to support scientific investigations/experiments
• Carry out routine tasks accurately and following strict methodologies to carry out laboratory analyses
• Ability to prepare specimens and samples
• Operate, calibrate and maintain standard laboratory equipment, for example centrifuges, titrators, pipetting machines and pH meters
• Keep laboratory equipment in a clean and serviceable condition and ensure the safe removal of waste
• Use computers and perform mathematical calculations for the preparation of graphs
• Carry out stocking and management of laboratory store
• Conduct laboratory quality control and assurance assessment of techniques/methods
• Ability to provide demonstrations and writing technical reports
• Communicate results of their studies and transfer skills to contexts where personal responsibility, initiative and decision making are required
• Apply entrepreneurship basics as related to laboratory technology

Career/employment opportunities

1. Self-employed individuals through entrepreneurship skills related to application of laboratory sciences and technologies such as production of domestic/industrial chemical reagents/recipes and production of cleansers
2. Academic institutions such as Secondary schools, Colleges and Universities
3. Industrial/manufacturing laboratories such as soft or hard drinks, cement, sugar and textile
4. Research laboratories such as Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, mining industries, Government Chemistry Laboratory Authority (GCLA)
5. Quality control laboratories such as Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), water quality laboratories

Diploma in laboratory Science and Technology

A three years programme that is designed to train competent and reliable laboratory technicians, who are well equipped with diverse job skills to meet the demand in industrial, research and educational sectors.

Entry qualifications/requirement

Entry 1: The entry requirements for the candidates applying for Diploma in Laboratory Science and Technology shall be possession of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with a minimum “D” pass in at least four (4) non-religious subjects which must be Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology

OR

Entry 2: Possession of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) from Technical Secondary Schools with a minimum “D” pass in at least four (4) non- religious subjects, Mathematics, Engineering Science, Chemistry and Biology.

OR

Entry 3: Possession of Trade Test Grade I / NVA Level III issued by VETA and Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with a minimum “D” pass in at least four (4) non-religious subjects, two (2) of which must be among the following: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

Skills

• Ability to carry out specified tasks related to laboratory analyses
• Ability to repair and maintain laboratory equipment
• Ability to prepare samples/specimens and reagents for laboratory analysis
• Ability to maintain cleanliness in the laboratory including cleaning of equipment and glassware
• Carrying out routine/specialized tests
• Carrying out specified tasks connected with laboratory analysis, consultancy and services
• To collect and take care of equipment involved in teaching
• Apply entrepreneurship basics as related to laboratory technology

Career/employment opportunities

1. Self-employed individuals through entrepreneurship skills related to application of laboratory sciences and technologies such as production of domestic/industrial chemical reagents/recipes and production of cleansers
2. Academic institutions such as Secondary schools, Colleges and Universities
3. Industrial/manufacturing laboratories such as soft or hard drinks, cement, sugar, textile
4. Research laboratories such as Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, mining industry, Government Chemistry Laboratory Authority (GCLA), Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute (MARI), Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization
5. Quality control laboratories such as Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), water quality laboratories

Research portfolio and consultancy

Our research areas in applied sciences focus on the following fields;

• Epidemiological studies
• Pathogen genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Applied Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Virology
• Recombinant proteins