Are you a science student wondering which course you should study at the university? If you haven’t already decided, the best choice is to go for the best among the options. Choose a course that is not only respectable and lucrative but also one that you can easily get a job or establish yourself in Nigeria, Africa or any part of the world.
If you’re wondering what those courses are, then you are in the right place. In this article, I will discuss the top 10 science courses to study in Nigerian universities:
1. Medicine and Surgery
By far the best science course to study in Nigeria is medicine and surgery. Medicine is an extremely lucrative career and a very respectable one too. The science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and prevention of illnesses is known as medicine, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
If you study medicine, you won’t be unemployed for long. Nigeria and most Africa is in severe lack of doctors so no certified doctor is out in the market for long. Doctors also receive salaries that are way above minimum wage, so you should be sure that you will earn enough to live well as a medical doctor.
However, if medicine is not something you have a passion for, then you shouldn’t venture into it. Landing a course in medicine at any university in Nigeria is highly competitive. You will need to have exceptional grades to get in. It is also one of the most difficult courses to study; medical students are tasked with learning so much information in so little time.
Becoming a certified doctor won’t make things easier. You’ll be dealing with human lives daily, and even though there is a strong sense of pride in that, you will need to be highly competent. A mistake could lead to the death of your patient. Another point to note is that doctors are typically overworked, and a lot of doctors complain about not being paid enough for their hard work.
If you’re looking for an easy career that will make you a lot of money, then you should steer clear of medicine. But if you have a passion for saving lives and the determination to work hard, then medicine will be a great career path.
Medicine is a 6-year course in Nigerian universities, it is similar in most African countries. The average salary expectation for doctors is N233,000 per month according to Glassdoor. Depending on your experience and your area of speciality, your salary could be much higher than this.
2. Engineering
The technology we enjoy so much today is a result of the hard work of engineers. From cars, and aeroplanes to phones and the internet, engineers have done a lot to make our lives easier. So it is not surprising that it is one of the best science courses to study. In Nigeria and the world, it a highly lucrative course, and professionals receive a hefty salary.
One interesting thing about engineering is that there are a lot of areas you can choose from. Unlike medicine where every student studies the same thing till graduation, engineering students can study their areas of interest from the get-go. There are several areas you can choose from including civil engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, etcetera.
Regardless of the field of engineering you choose, engineering is a 5-year course in Nigeria. The average salary expectation for engineers is N191,000 per month according to Glassdoor.
3. Pharmacy
Courses in the health field are usually among the most lucrative. People fall sick all the time, so the demand for health professionals is always high.
The branch of science known as pharmacy studies the making and administering of prescription medications. Without pharmacists, people would die arbitrarily from a shortage of medications for treatment. For this reason, pharmacists are essential.
Pharmaceutical science is a fantastic subject that is recommended for every student with an interest in science. Pharmacy is one of the most profitable and well-regarded fields in science, much like medicine.
A graduate in pharmaceutical science may find employment at a hospital, a pharmacy, or a government medical organization. I assure you that most nations do not have problems for graduates of the course finding work. For scientific students, it is undoubtedly among the top science courses.
Pharmacy is a 5-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation for pharmacists is N131,000 per month according to Glassdoor.
4. Laboratory Science Technology
This course, which goes by SLT, is a highly broad scientific course with a variety of fields. Numerous possibilities are available, including techniques in biological science, biotechnology, biochemistry, chemistry, geology, microbiology, physics/electronics, physiology/pharmacology, petrochemicals, and many more.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist is a person who does patient testing and reports the results to doctors. This is an excellent course to study since, while medical laboratory scientists and physicians are not the same in any manner, they are often viewed similarly in many countries in terms of job security and compensation.
Clinical laboratory scientists (CLSs) are another name for medical laboratory scientists (MLSs). A medical laboratory scientist’s work is crucial since it informs the majority of the choices made by doctors. It is undoubtedly a fantastic choice for those looking for a worthwhile and lucrative scientific degree to take.
Laboratory Science Technology is a 5-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation is N139,000 per month according to Glassdoor.
5. Computer science
This is the study of computational systems, computers, and their functions. We cannot survive in this day and age without computers since everything is quickly becoming digital. Science students take this course as a professional and coming-of-age skill.
Computer science encompasses several domains and facets, including software engineering, information systems, computer science, and information technology. The primary focus of computer scientists is software and software systems, including their theory, design, development, and implementation. For science majors who want to take the greatest scientific courses available, this course is yet another excellent option. A course in computer science may be quite profitable and allows for creativity. The reason is that, in many places of the globe today, technology is advancing quickly.
One remarkable thing about graduating from computer science school is that you don’t always need to move files from office to office in search of employment. Computer science is a subject that encourages creativity and invention. Therefore, if you have enough creativity, you may apply your expertise in this discipline to other economic sectors. All you have to do is use your understanding of computer engineering in your job.
This course is among the greatest scientific courses for another reason: technology is being embraced by society at a fast pace. Many firms worldwide are calling for more computer scientists and engineers to manage ICT difficulties.
Computer science is a 4-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation is N144,000 per month according to Glassdoor.
6. Biotechnology
To put it simply, biotechnology is the use of biology to the creation of novel goods, processes, and living things to enhance society and human health. Its many facets include industrial biotechnology, plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, medical biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology. Enrolling in this professional course is another way for science students to learn.
This subject is special because it combines commercial acumen and industrial applications with an understanding of the biological sciences. Additionally, graduates find work after graduation with ease.
Innovative products and technologies made possible by modern biotechnology may help feed the hungry, cure uncommon and debilitating illnesses, reduce environmental damage, provide more usable and clean energy, and improve industrial production processes that are safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
Patients may now obtain over 250 biotechnology-based medicinal supplies and immunizations, many of which are for illnesses that were formerly thought to be incurable. Agricultural biotechnology is used by more than 13.3 million farmers globally to increase yields and decrease damage from pests and insects.
Biotechnology is a 4-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation is N125,000 per month according to Glassdoor.
7. Nursing
Another pertinent professional course that science students might choose is nursing. A nurse’s main responsibility is to provide patients with physical needs management, sickness prevention, and condition treatment.
They treat wounds, provide prescriptions, do routine physical exams, keep thorough medical records, monitor blood pressure and heart rate, run diagnostic tests, operate medical equipment, take blood, and admit and release patients per doctor’s instructions.
In addition, nurses log patient activities, change bandages, check on patients’ comfort, notify other nurses or physicians of any changes in a patient’s health, and do other pertinent duties. By enrolling in this course, you may get a professional nursing license. A fast-track option for earning a nursing degree is to enrol in accelerated nursing programs.
Without a doubt, these courses are among the top in the university for scientific majors. But in most African nations today, the subject is thought to be exclusively for female students. You should reject such ideology since it is only a fallacy. Science students, both male and female, take a course on nursing.
Nursing and medicine are indeed similar. In most colleges, it is both prestigious and profitable. You don’t need to worry about finding a job since there are several industries in which a nursing graduate may work after graduating from college.
Nursing is a 5-year course in Nigerian universities. You can decide to become a nurse by going through a nursing school instead, which takes only 3 years. However, earning a bachelor’s degree is more beneficial as you will end up receiving a higher salary and more opportunities down the road. The average salary expectation for nurses is N119,000 per month according to Glassdoor.
8. Physiotherapy
A wide variety of disorders affecting the bones, muscles, circulatory system, nerves, and other bodily parts and systems are diagnosed and treated by the medical specialty of physiotherapy. A person who engages in all of these is known as a physiotherapist.
Science students may study physiotherapy, which is a professional education with extremely high pay potential when performed.
Physiotherapy is a 6-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation for physiotherapists is N151,000 according to Glassdoor.
9. Dentistry
Another esteemed scientific subject that university students might pursue is dentistry. Dentistry is a medical specialty that includes the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of illnesses, disorders, and ailments pertaining to the oral cavity, according to Wikipedia. For all scientific students, dentistry is a profitable, prestigious, and excellent field of study. Out of all other health professionals, dentists are the only ones considered doctors since they are certified to diagnose and treat patients.
This is an excellent course to take into consideration if you want to study one of the greatest scientific courses offered by Nigerian institutions.
Pharmacy is a 6-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation for dentists is N240,000 according to Glassdoor.
10. Architecture
The science or art of designing buildings and structures for a range of purposes, such as residential, educational, religious, recreational, and so on, is known as architecture. Architects are entrusted with creating designs that satisfy the needs and goals of the many buildings that are constructed around the country on a daily basis.
Consequently, architects have a chance every time a building is constructed. Graduates in architecture thus have a wide range of employment opportunities. You can be employed by an architectural company or you become a freelancer and take up contracts whenever available.
Pharmacy is a 4-year course in Nigerian universities. The average salary expectation for pharmacists is N150,000 according to Glassdoor.
Conclusion
Choosing which course to study at the university is one the hardest choices anyone can make. After all, whatever choice you make will change the entire course of your life. Hopefully, the above courses will guide you through that choice.
