JAMB Syllabus for Science Students

This syllabus covers the core subjects typically required for Science, Engineering, Medical, and Technology courses (e.g., Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Microbiology, Pharmacy).

Subjects Included:

1. Use of English (Compulsory)
2. Mathematics
3. Physics
4. Chemistry
5. Biology

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1. Use of English

This subject is compulsory for all candidates.

A. Comprehension/Summary

• Description: Answering questions on passages to test comprehension, interpretation, and inference.
• Skills: Grasping the main idea, identifying details, interpreting figurative language, and summarizing content.
• Prescribed Text: The Life Changer by Khadija Abubakar Jalli (Note: Confirm the current year's text as it is subject to change).

B. Lexis and Structure

• Synonyms and Antonyms: Contextual meanings of words.
• Sentence Construction: Ambiguity, concord (agreement), and sentence types.
• Word Classes: Detailed usage of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions.
• Idioms: Understanding idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
• Register: Vocabulary associated with specific fields (e.g., Medicine, ICT, Engineering).

C. Oral Forms

• Phonology: Vowels (Monophthongs/Diphthongs) and Consonants.
• Stress: Word stress and sentence stress patterns (Emphatic stress).
• Intonation: Falling and rising tunes.

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2. Mathematics

Essential for Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Computer Science.

A. Number and Numeration

• Number Bases: Binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal conversions.
• Fractions, Decimals, Approximations: Significant figures, percentage errors.
• Indices, Logarithms, and Surds: Laws of indices, standard form, laws of logarithms.
• Sets: Notation, Venn diagrams, union, intersection, complement.

B. Algebra

• Polynomials: Factorization, roots of equations, remainder and factor theorems.
• Variation: Direct, inverse, joint, and partial variation.
• Inequalities: Linear and quadratic inequalities (graphical and analytical solutions).
• Progressions: Arithmetic Progression (AP) and Geometric Progression (GP).
• Binary Operations: Identity and inverse elements.
• Matrices and Determinants: Basic operations, determinants, inverses of 2x2 and 3x3 matrices.

C. Geometry and Trigonometry

• Euclidean Geometry: Angles, parallel lines, triangles, polygons, circle theorems.
• Mensuration: Perimeters, areas, volumes of 2D and 3D shapes (spheres, cones, cylinders).
• Coordinate Geometry: Midpoint, gradient, distance formula, equation of a line, perpendicular/parallel lines.
• Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent ratios, angles of elevation/depression, graphs of trig functions.

D. Calculus

• Differentiation: Limits, derivatives of algebraic/trigonometric functions, product/quotient rules, rates of change, maxima/minima.
• Integration: Indefinite and definite integrals, area under a curve, application to kinematics (velocity/acceleration).

E. Statistics

• Data Representation: Pie charts, bar charts, histograms.
• Measures of Location & Dispersion: Mean, median, mode, range, variance, standard deviation.
• Probability: Independent and mutually exclusive events, permutations and combinations.

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3. Physics

A. Mechanics

• Measurements and Units: Fundamental/derived quantities, dimensions, vernier calipers/micrometer screw gauge.
• Scalars and Vectors: Vector addition, resolution of vectors.
• Motion: Linear motion (equations of motion), projectiles, Newton’s laws, momentum, impulse.
• Gravitational Field: Law of universal gravitation, gravitational potential, escape velocity.
• Equilibrium of Forces: Moments, center of gravity, stability.
• Work, Energy, and Power: Conservation of energy, renewable/non-renewable energy.
• Friction: Static and dynamic friction, coefficient of friction.
• Simple Machines: Lever, pulley, inclined plane, mechanical advantage, efficiency.
• Elasticity: Hooke’s Law, Young’s Modulus.

B. Heat and Thermodynamics

• Temperature: Scales, thermometers.
• Thermal Expansion: Solids and liquids (Linear, Area, Volume expansivity).
• Gas Laws: Boyle’s, Charles’, Pressure law, Ideal gas equation (PV=nRT).
• Quantity of Heat: Specific heat capacity, latent heat.
• Heat Transfer: Conduction, convection, radiation.

C. Waves and Optics

• Waves: Mechanical vs. Electromagnetic, transverse vs. longitudinal.
• Light: Reflection (plane/curved mirrors), Refraction (glass prism, lenses, apparent depth).
• Optical Instruments: Microscope, telescope, human eye (defects and corrections).
• Sound: Echoes, speed of sound, resonance, Doppler effect.

D. Electricity and Magnetism

• Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law, electric field, potential, capacitors (series/parallel).
• Current Electricity: Ohm’s law, resistors, resistivity, Kirchhoff’s laws, electric energy/power.
• Magnetism: Magnetic fields, earth’s magnetic field.
• Electromagnetism: Electromagnetic induction, transformers, AC circuits (RLC).

E. Modern Physics

• Atomic Physics: Structure of the atom, isotopes.
• Nuclear Physics: Radioactivity (Alpha, Beta, Gamma), half-life, fission, fusion.
• Photoelectric Effect: Einstein’s equation, duality of matter.
• Electronics: Semiconductors (p-type, n-type), diodes, transistors.

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4. Chemistry

A. Physical Chemistry

• Separation Techniques: Distillation, evaporation, filtration, chromatography.
• Atomic Structure: Protons, neutrons, electrons, orbitals (s, p, d, f), electronic configuration.
• Bonding: Ionic, covalent, co-ordinate, metallic, van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding.
• Stoichiometry: Mole concept, Avogadro’s constant, empirical/molecular formulae.
• States of Matter: Kinetic theory, Gas laws.
• Energetics: Exothermic/endothermic reactions, enthalpy changes (combustion, neutralization).
• Kinetics and Equilibrium: Rate of reaction, factors affecting rate, Le Chatelier’s principle.
• Electrochemistry: Electrolysis, electrochemical cells, redox reactions, oxidation numbers.

B. Inorganic Chemistry

• Periodic Table: Trends in properties (ionization energy, electronegativity, atomic radii).
• Acids, Bases, and Salts: pH scale, indicators, properties, preparation of salts.
• Non-Metals: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Chlorine (and their compounds).
• Metals: Alkali metals, Alkaline earth metals, Aluminium, Iron, Copper, Alloys.

C. Organic Chemistry

• Hydrocarbons: Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes (Nomenclature, properties, reactions).
• Aromatic Compounds: Benzene structure and properties.
• Alkanols and Alkanoic Acids: Ethanol (fermentation), Ethanoic acid.
• Derivatives: Esters (saponification), Fats/Oils, Amino acids, Proteins, Polymers (plastics, rubber).

D. Environmental Chemistry

• Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution.
• Chemical Industries: Biotechnology, heavy chemicals, fine chemicals.

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5. Biology

A. Variety of Organisms

• Classification: 5 Kingdoms (Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia).
• The Cell: Structure (Plant vs. Animal), organelles (mitochondria, nucleus, ribosome), cell theory.

B. Form and Function

• Nutrition: Autotrophic (Photosynthesis), Heterotrophic (Holozoic, Saprophytic).
• Transport: Diffusion, Osmosis, Plasmolysis, Circulatory systems (Mammals vs. Plants).
• Respiration: Aerobic/Anaerobic, respiratory systems in various organisms (gills, lungs, stomata).
• Excretion: Kidney function, skin, waste products.
• Support and Movement: Skeleton types (Hydrostatic, Exoskeleton, Endoskeleton).
• Reproduction: Asexual (Fission, budding), Sexual (Meiosis, fertilization, pollination in plants).
• Growth: Mitosis, germination.
• Control and Coordination: Nervous system (Neurons, Brain, Spinal cord), Endocrine system (Hormones).
• Homeostasis: Regulation of body temperature, water balance.

C. Ecology

• Ecosystems: Biotic/Abiotic factors, Food chains/webs, Trophic levels.
• Habitats: Aquatic (Freshwater/Marine), Terrestrial (Marsh, Forest, Savanna, Desert).
• Population: Density, factors affecting population size.
• Pollution and Conservation: Ecological management.

D. Heredity and Evolution

• Genetics: Mendel’s laws, genes, chromosomes, DNA, RNA.
• Variation: Discontinuous (Blood groups) vs. Continuous (Height).
• Evolution: Theories (Lamarck, Darwin), evidence of evolution.