CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Introduction

Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a very big aid and a

stepping stone to life after school. It is an opportunity given to students to put into

practice most things that were theoretically explained by lecturers in schools.

As a result of this, the standard methodology and equipment handling expose

students in their course of training.

1.2Meaning of SIWES

Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme, SIWES, is the accepted skill training

programme which forms part of the approved minimum academic standards in the

various degree programmes for all the Nigerian universities. It is provided to

bridge the gap existing between theory and practice of engineering, science and

technology, agriculture, medicine, management and other professional educational

programmes in the tertiary institutions.

It is aimed at exposing students to machines and equipments, professional work

methods and ways of safe-guarding the work areas and workers in industries and

other organizations.

1.3 Objectives of SIWES

1. To prepare students for work situations they are likely to meet after graduation.
1
2. To provide an avenue for students in Nigerian universities to acquire industrial

skills and experience in their course of study.

3. To enlist and strengthens employers involvement in the entire educational

process of preparing university graduates for employment in industries.

4. To provide students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in

real work situations, thereby closing the gap between university work and actual

practice.

5. To expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipments and

machinery that may not be available in the universities.

6. To make the transitions from the university to the world of work easier and thus

enhance students contact for later job placement.

7. Teaches the student on how to interact effectively with other workers and

supervisors under various conditions in the organization.

2
 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 About the department of Biochemistry

Since its establishment in 1986, as a unit of the omnibus Department of Biological

Sciences in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences (SNAS), the Department

of Biochemistry has grown to become one of the finest in the continent.

Biochemistry is a scientific discipline that focuses on the chemical basis of life. It

explains life in chemical terms, life is a dynamic phenomenon that integrates a

gamut of chemical/biochemical reactions aimed at sustaining a continuous flow of

energy to cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. In biochemical terms, life is an

open system that allows the flow of metabolites in and out of the system in which

cyclical events are sustained in perpetuation of its existence.

Biochemistry has a sound influence on our understanding of Medicine, Health and

Nutrition. Results from biochemical studies have already led to molecular

understanding of diseases such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, phenylketonuria,

cystic fibrosis, and hypercholesterolemia. The department of Biochemistry in

Federal University of Technology, Owerri focuses on all areas of biochemistry,

including industrial biochemistry to actually nurture and turn out high breed

biochemists.

3
 CHAPTER THREE

Things I did at biochemistry laboratory

3.1 Blood group

The term “blood group” refers to the entire blood group system comprising red

blood cell (RBC) antigens whose specificity is controlled by a series of genes

which can be allelic or linked very closely on the same chromosome. “Blood type”

refers to a specific pattern of reaction to testing antisera within a given system.

Over a period of time, our understanding on blood groups has evolved to

encompass not only transfusion-related problems but also specific disease

association with RBC surface antigens. Karl Landsteiner has been credited for the

discovery of ABO blood group system in 1900. His extensive research on serology

based on simple but strong scientific reasoning led to identification of major blood

groups such as O, A, and B types, compatibility testing, and subsequent transfusion

practices. He was awarded Noble Prize in 1930 for this discovery. His obituary

lists an immense contribution of more than 346 publications.

4
3.2 The ABO system

There are 4 main blood groups defined by the ABO system:

 blood group A – has A antigens on the red blood cells with anti-B

antibodies in the plasma

 blood group B – has B antigens with anti-A antibodies in the plasma

 blood group O – has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in

the plasma

5
  blood group AB – has both A and B antigens, but no antibodies

3.3 Blood typing procedure

1. Mix!

First mix the patient's blood with three different reagents including either of the

three different antibodies, A, B or Rh antibodies!

2. Look for agglutination!

Then you take a look at what has happened. The agglutination indicates that the

blood has reacted with a certain antibody and is therefore not compatible with

blood containing that kind of antibody. If the blood does not agglutinate, it

6
indicates that the blood does not have the antigens binding the special antibody in

the reagent.

3. Figure out the ABO blood group!

Start by taking a look at the test tubes containing A and B antibodies. Has the

blood agglutinated in either of these two tubes?

No agglutination in test tube A, indicates that the patient's red blood cells do not

have A antigens.

Agglutination in the tube containing B antibodies indicates that the patients' red

blood cells have got B antigens, thus belongs to blood group B.

4. Figure out the Rh blood group!

Now have a look at the test tube containing Rh antibodies! Has the blood

agglutinated or not?

No agglutination indicates that the patient's red blood cells don't have Rh antigens,

thus the blood is Rh-.

5. Figure out the blood type!

Now that you know which antigens are in the patient's blood, you can figure out

the blood type! Since agglutination only occured in the test tube containing B

antibodies, the blood got B antigens but no A or Rh antigens. Thus the blood type

is B Rh-

7
3.4 Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software

tools for understanding biological data, in particular when the data sets are large

and complex. Bioinformatics includes biological studies that use computer

programming as part of their methodology, as well as specific analysis "pipelines"

that are repeatedly used, particularly in the field of genomics. Common uses of

bioinformatics include the identification of candidate’s genes and

single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Often, such identification is made with

the aim to better understand the genetic basis of disease, unique adaptations,

desirable properties (esp. in agricultural species), or differences between

populations. In a less formal way, bioinformatics also tries to understand the

organizational principles within nucleic acid and protein sequences,

called proteomics.

 Image and signal processing allow extraction of useful results from large

amounts of raw data. In the field of genetics, it aids in sequencing and

annotating genomes and their observed mutations. It plays a role in the text

mining of biological literature and the development of biological and

gene ontologies to organize and query biological data. It also plays a role in

the analysis of gene and protein expression and regulation. Bioinformatics

tools aid in comparing, analyzing and interpreting genetic and genomic data

8
 and more generally in the understanding of evolutionary aspects of

molecular biology. At a more integrative level, it helps analyze and

catalogue the biological pathways and networks that are an important part

of systems biology. In structural biology, it aids in the simulation and

modeling of DNA, RNA, proteins as well as biomolecular interactions.

3.5 Urine analysis

A urinalysis is a test of your urine. It's used to detect and manage a wide range of

disorders, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease and diabetes. A urinalysis

involves checking the appearance, concentration and content of urine. For

example, a urinary tract infection can make urine look cloudy instead of clear.

Increased levels of protein in urine can be a sign of kidney disease.

9
10
3.6 Reason for Urine analysis

 To check your overall health. A urinalysis might be part of a routine

medical exam, pregnancy checkup or pre-surgery preparation. Or it might be

used to screen for a variety of disorders, such as diabetes, kidney disease or

liver disease, when you're admitted to a hospital.

 To diagnose a medical condition. A urinalysis might be requested if you

have abdominal pain, back pain, frequent or painful urination, blood in your

urine, or other urinary problems. A urinalysis can help diagnose the cause of

these signs and symptoms.

 To monitor a medical condition. If you've been diagnosed with a medical

condition, such as kidney disease or a urinary tract infection, your doctor

might recommend testing your urine regularly to monitor your condition and

treatment.

11
12
13
 3.7 Procedures

Most urinalyses simply involve the patient urinating into a specimen cup, either at

home or at a doctor’s office. Sometimes a sample is requested first thing in the

morning, as more concentrated urine provides easier-to-read results.

You do not have to do anything to prepare for a urinalysis, and you can eat and

drink beforehand. Inform your doctor if you take any medications or vitamins, as

these can impact the results of a urinalysis.

For many urinalyses, doctors will recommend that patients collect a “clean catch”

sample, meaning that urine cannot touch the skin of the penis or tissues of

the vagina, which contain additional bacteria. Occasionally, a clean sample may be

obtained via urinary catheter.

 Clean the urinary opening with a sterile wipe to remove bacteria. Men

should wipe the tip of the penis. Women can clean their labia from front to back.

 Start to urinate into the toilet. Do not collect the initial urine stream.

 In midstream, begin to collect urine into the sample container.

 Make sure that you collect at least 1 to 2 ounces.

 Finish urinating in the toilet.

Getting a clean sample from a child may be difficult. Parents or the child can clean

the skin surrounding the urinary opening. To get a “midstream” urine sample,

14
which has the least amount of bacteria, a child is encouraged to stop urinating

momentarily (if possible) and then urinate again into the sample container.

3.8 Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol

to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart

disease.

With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels.

Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow

through your arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a

clot that causes a heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol can be inherited, but it's often the result of unhealthy lifestyle

choices, which make it preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise

and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol.

15
3.9 The Cholesterol Test Procedure

The cholesterol test procedure remains quite simple and takes only about 5-10

minutes to complete. The process involves the following steps:

16
 A small needle will get used by a health care professional to draw blood

from a vein in your arm.

 Following the insertion of the needle, a small amount of blood will get

collected in a test tube or vial.

 When the needle goes in or out, you may feel a slight sting. It usually takes

under five minutes.

Cholesterol tests are typically performed in the morning because you may get

asked to fast for several hours before the test.

You may also be able to test for cholesterol at home using an at-home kit. While

the instructions may differ depending on the brand, your kit will include some

device to prick your finger. The device will collect a drop of blood for testing.

Make sure to adhere to the kit instructions carefully. Also, notify your doctor if

you’re at-home test results show that your cholesterol level is higher than 200

mg/dl.

17
3.10 Preparation for a Cholesterol Test

Generally, you must fast for nine to twelve hours before the test, consuming no

food or liquids other than water. Some cholesterol tests do not necessitate fasting,

so follow your doctor’s advice. Depending on the results, you might get asked to

return for a more comprehensive lipid profile.

18
Before the test

If your doctor advises you to have a non-fasting cholesterol test, the lab will only

look at your total cholesterol (and sometimes your HDL) levels. You need to show

up at the lab and have some blood drawn for that test.

If your doctor recommends a fasting cholesterol test (also known as a lipid profile),

the lab will examine your LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels.

You must fast for nine to twelve hours before the blood test. A doctor may request

that you first perform a non-fasting cholesterol test.

During the test

A cholesterol test is a blood test gets usually performed in the morning if you have

fasted overnight. Blood gets drawn from your vein, typically in the arm. The

puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic before the needle gets inserted, and an

elastic band gets wrapped around your upper arm. As a result, the veins in your

arm fill with blood.

19
Following the insertion of the needle, a small amount of blood gets collected in a

vial or syringe. After that, the nurse removes the band to allow blood to flow back

20
into the vial. Once enough blood gets collected, the needle gets removed, and the

puncture site gets bandaged. The procedure will most likely take a few minutes.

It’s not too painful.

After the test

There are no precautions you should take following your cholesterol test. You

should be able to drive yourself home and perform all of your usual activities. If

you’ve been fasting, you should bring a snack to eat after your cholesterol test.

3.11 Blood Glucose

Glucose testing is primarily done to diagnose or manage type 1 diabetes, type 2

diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood

glucose levels to rise. The amount of sugar in your blood is usually controlled by a

hormone called insulin. But if you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make

enough insulin or the insulin produced doesn’t work properly. This causes sugar to

build up in your blood. If left untreated, chronically elevated levels of blood sugar

can lead to other serious conditions including kidney disease, blindness, and heart

disease.

In some cases, blood glucose testing may also be used to test for hypoglycemia.

This condition occurs when the levels of glucose in your blood are too low, usually

lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Hypoglycemia can occur in people

with diabetes if they take too much of their medication, like insulin, exercise more

21
than usual, or skip a meal. Less commonly, hypoglycemia can be caused by other

underlying conditions or medications. Doctors consider very low blood sugar to be

a medical emergency, as it can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.

3.12 Preparation of Blood glucose test

Blood glucose tests fall into several categories, including:

 fasting

 random (non-fasting)

 oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a 2-hour test

 post-prandial, which means testing after consuming food or drink

Doctors use fasting, random, and OGTT tests to diagnose diabetes.

Post-prandial tests can help show how well a person with diabetes is managing

their blood sugar levels.

Before your test, tell your doctor about the medications you’re taking, including

prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. Certain medications

can affect blood glucose levels. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking a

particular medication or to change the dosage before your test temporarily.

Medications that can affect your blood glucose levels include:

 corticosteroids

 diuretics

 birth control pills

22
  hormone therapy

 aspirin (Bufferin)

 antipsychotics

 lithium

 epinephrine (Adrenalin)

 tricyclic antidepressants

 monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

 phenytoin

 sulfonylurea medications

Severe stress can also cause a temporary increase in your blood glucose. You

should tell your doctor if you’ve recently had any of these:

 surgery

 trauma

 stroke

 heart attack

Fasting test preparation

For a fasting blood glucose test, you can’t eat or drink anything except water for 8

hours before your test. You may want to schedule a fasting glucose test first thing

in the morning so that you don’t have to fast during the day.

23
Fasting before a blood glucose test is important because it’ll provide more accurate

results that are easier for your doctor to interpret.

Random testing preparation

Random (non-fasting) blood glucose tests don’t require you to not eat or drink

before the test.

Your doctor may have you take several random measurements throughout the day

to see how your glucose levels change.

Post-prandial testing preparation

A test given 2 hours after starting a meal is used to measure postprandial plasma

glucose. This test is most often done at home when you have diabetes.

It can help you understand if you’re taking the right amount of insulin with meals.

You must do this test 2 hours after you start eating a meal.

If you already have diabetes, this information may also help your doctor

understand if you need to adjust your medications.

24
 Chapter four

4.1 Relevance of SIWES program

1. Preparing students for the working situation they are to meet after graduation

2. The program provides an avenue for students in the institution of higher

learning to acquire industrial skills and experience in their courses of study

3. It exposes students to working methods and techniques in handling

equipment and machinery that may not be available in educational

institutions

4. The program provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge

in real work situation thereby bridging the gap between theoretical school

work and actual practice

5. It makes for smooth transition of students for school to industrial world, and

thus enhances student’s contacts for job placement after graduation.

4.2 Problems encountered

1. Finding a place for the program

2. Distance from house to place of work

3. Lack of transportation.

4.3 Recommendations

In the course of this report, i will like to recommend the following;

 Adequate facilities should be improved to ensure proper training of students.

25
  Industries and companies should be enlightened on the need for SIWES

program for easy absorption of students

 Students should be paid by establishment where thry undergo their industrial

training.

 The university based supervisors should ensure they visit their students in

their place of attachment to supervise and ensure they are learning.

On this note, I would say the program have helped expose me to my course of

study and also to the working environment. I advocate that the industrial training

program should be encouraged.

26