As a young Nigerian who just graduated from secondary school, or if you want to pursue an academic degree program in science, choosing the right course is kind of hectic and may involve a little bit of mental gymnastics.
Choosing the right course for you will shape your career path, and students have had a hard time choosing the best courses for themselves. Be it Computer Sciences, Medicine, or engineering courses.
In this article, we will be looking at the top courses for science students in Nigeria, job opportunities you will get if you study this course, Jamb Cut-Off mark, Top Universities in Nigeria that offer those courses, and why they stand out in today’s economy.
Top 10 Courses for Science Students in Nigeria
- Medicine and Surgery.
- Nursing Science
- Pharmacy
- Computer Science
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Microbiology
- Architecture
- Biochemistry
- Engineering Courses.
- Agriculture and Related Sciences
Medicine and Surgery.
Medicine and Surgery is one of the best science courses to study as a science student in Nigeria. You should have a passion for saving lives and rendering care if you want to go into this field.
It is very competitive, and Nigeria has a huge doctor deficit. It also gives you the opportunity to relocate to Western countries for better opportunities in the future if you want to do so.
The JAMB cutoff mark for Medicine and Surgery in most universities in Nigeria is 250. Scoring higher than that increases your chances of getting admitted into the university.
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Why Study Medicine and Surgery
- There is a high demand for qualified doctors in Nigeria, and you have the opportunity to relocate abroad in the future if you want to work there.
- Doctors are paid high salaries and have job stability.
Nursing Science
There is a global demand for nurses, and it’s a top course that science students sought after. Their job focuses on patient care, community health, and public health management.
Because they are highly sought after, you have the opportunity to migrate to the United States (US), the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Western countries.
Most Universities’ JAMB cut-off mark for medicine in Nigeria is 200, while some universities require as high as 240 for it.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists are involved in the production and distribution of drugs; they have an amazing career path. After studying the course and getting your certificate, you will be able to work in the pharmacy section of a hospital, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions. You can also own your private chemist in Nigeria.
The JAMB cut-off mark for Pharmacy in most Nigerian Universities is 220 or higher.
Computer Science
The world is currently in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) phase. Computer Science is one of the best courses for science students in Nigeria today. You can specialize in Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, and Data Analysis.
Computer Science graduates have the opportunity to work in high-paying Jobs at Tech Companies. It gives you the opportunity to work from home/remote for any international company, and it also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving approach to solve complex problems.
The minimum JAMB cutoff mark required by most universities to study computer science is 180. Still, if you want to be admitted into the university to study computer science, you must be ready to score as high as 200 because there is a lot of competition in that department.
Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Science involves performing scientific tests on biological samples like blood, urine, and tissues to help diagnose, treat, and monitor diseases.
The career opportunities you get from being a graduate of this course include working at a hospital or a research institute, and you can open a private Laboratory.
To study this course, you must have a minimum of 220 in your JAMB exams. Although Private Universities may accept lower cutoff mark
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Microbiology
Microbiology is a course that involves the study of microbiology. Graduates of this course can work at a research institute, the Food and beverage industries, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and diagnostic labs.
The minimum JAMB cut-off mark for this course is 180. You will need to score higher than 180 because Microbiology usually has the highest number of applicants for this course. In my university, it takes a day to screen those who applied for other courses, but it takes three days to screen those who applied for microbiology.
Architecture
If you are creative and have a passion for design, you can study architecture, which deals with the process of designing structures and buildings. Graduates of this course can work as independent consultants, and there is a high demand for architects in the construction and real estate space.
To study this course, you must have a minimum of 200 in your JAMB exams.
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Biochemistry
Biochemistry is a course that studies chemical processes and how they relate to living organisms. Graduates of this course can pursue a career in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical research.
To study this course, you must have a minimum of 180 in your JAMB exams.
Engineering Courses.
Engineering includes many branches like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering.
Engineers are Problem solvers and innovators. After graduating, you can pursue a career in construction, oil and gas, telecommunications, and energy sectors, depending on the type of engineering course you study.
For you to be considered to study any engineering course in most Nigerian universities, you must have scored a minimum of 200 in your JAMB exams.
Agriculture and Related Sciences
Nigeria’s agricultural sector is growing rapidly, making agricultural courses valuable and rewarding for science students. There are also different branches of Agricultural courses that you can study, which include Crop Science, Animal Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Economics, etc.
Tips for Choosing the Right Course as a Science Student
- Know Your Interests and Strengths: Before you choose a particular course that you want to study, know what you are interested in and your passions. Choosing a course that aligns with your passion and skillset gives you motivation and the courage to pursue and complete the course even if it’s difficult. Choosing a course that you are not interested in will cause you problems in the future.
- Research Career Opportunities: Research on the career opportunities and industrial demand for the course you are choosing. You don’t want to choose a course that at the end of the day you become unemployable.
- Think Long-Term: Choose a Course that will remain relevant in the future and not fade away or be replaced by AI. This will ensure you have a job or run your own business when you graduate from school.
- Consider Your JAMB Subject Combination: Make sure you know the subject combination for the course you are registering for. If you choose the wrong subject registration in JAMB and you write and pass the exams, even if with a high score, you will not be given admission into that course you selected. The only option that will be available to you then will be to choose another course that matches the JAMB subject combination you chose or wait till next year.
- Consult Academic Advisors: If your secondary school has a guidance and counselling unit, you can seek advice from them or from your teachers regarding the stuff you are not clear about.
CONCLUSION
By choosing the right course, graduating with high grades, and staying consistent, you will have a successful and rewarding career in your field.
So, when someone asks, “What are the top courses for science students in Nigeria?” you will know exactly where to start from.
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