MSc. Population and Demographic Studies

Philosophy
The primary philosophy of this programme is to produce experts in population and Demographic studies who are capable of managing the population and Demographic statistic of Nigeria. At the moment, there is a shortage of manpower in the area of population and Demographic studies in Nigeria. This programme is intended to fill this gap.

Preamble
The programme consists of course work and Thesis. Courses normally involve lectures, laboratory work, seminar/workshop and field work pursued on full-time basis. Upon registration, every candidate shall pursue the programme for about Twenty four (24) calendar months, which implies that both course work and Thesis run simultaneously. Students may be required to take special or remedial undergraduate courses to make up for deficiencies where such exist. Candidates will be required to take a minimum workload of 36 credit units (including 3 credit units for seminars and 12 credit units for Thesis).

Objective
The Masters Degree in Population and Demographic Studies is an interdisciplinary programme which emphasizes strong training in demographic methods and a broader interdisciplinary and applied focus in population sciences. The programme seeks to examine processes and patterns of population change and their local and global impacts, and will provide its graduates with the basic tools and ideas for examining the range of population issues in an integrated framework. The course will equip students with essential skills and perspectives to understand and respond to fundamental demographic, population and health challenges in Nigeria, on the African continent and globally. The programme is designed to provide quality training in the population sciences with strong bias in quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Entry Requirements
The Master of Science degree programme in Population and Demographic Studies is a full time course. The minimum qualification for admission to the programme is any of the following:
(i). An honors degree (First Class or Second Class Divisions) of Ahmadu Bello University or of any other recognized university in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Social Statistics, Statistics or Mathematics,
(ii). An honors degree in Geography (Second Class Lower Division) of Ahmadu Bello University provided that performance in the core Geography subjects and the area of specialization are of a standard which, in the opinion of the Head of Department and he Departmental Board of Postgraduate studies, will make the holder benefit from postgraduate work.
(iii). A combined honors degree (at least Second Class Upper Division) in Geography and any other subject in which the G.P.A in Geography course is not lower than 3.5 and provided that the holders are prepared to take remedial courses in areas of Geography which may be stipulated by the Head of Department.

Duration
The Masters Degree programme consists of course work and research project. Courses normally involve lecture, laboratory work, seminar/workshop and field work pursued on full-time basis. However, candidates may choose to revert to part-time status after the completion of required course work, but not earlier than 12 calendar months after registration, and in conformation with relevant postgraduate school regulation. After registration, every full-time candidate for the Master degree shall pursue the programme for not less than twelve (12) calendar months and not more than thirty-six (36) calendar months before being examined for the degree.
The programme shall run on full time basis for 24 calendar months.

Evaluation
i. All the course units in the programme, with the exception of the field exercises which shall be continuously assessed, and examined at specific times as determined by the department.
ii. All candidates shall submit a research thesis, which shall be externally examined.
iii. To be awarded. M. Sc. degree in Population and Demographic Studies, a candidate shall be required to pass all courses with a minimum score of 50% in each course and accumulate a minimum of 36 credit units.

Courses

Note: students are required to pass all course units and accumulate a minimum of 36 credit units.