Welcome

The Faculty of Science and Sport replaces and builds on the former Department of Science and Mathematics. It will offer courses of study at both undergraduate and graduate levels and continue to offer science and mathematics modules in all courses of study in all Faculties across the University. Through relevant research and consultancy work, the Faculty will contribute to the development of science and technology within the society. It will offer solutions to problems in the industry by contributing the services of appropriate consultancy teams. The Faculty will also offer various kinds of short courses, thus providing opportunities for continuing education and life-long learning.

The Faculty comprises three Schools and a centre; namely, the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, the School of Mathematics and Statistics, the School of Sport Sciences and the Centre of Science-based Research, Entrepreneurship and Continuing Studies. 

FACULTY STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE 2024/25

Miss Octavia DaCosta

Dear Students,
As your representative in the Faculty of Science and Sport, it is my privilege to welcome you all to another year of academic, professional, and personal growth. Whether you're delving into the complexities of scientific research or
pushing your limits in athletic pursuits, our faculty is a place where passion meets purpose. Every one of you contributes to the dynamic environment we cherish, and it’s my goal to ensure that your experience here is both rewarding and inspiring.

My role is to be your advocate, ensuring that your needs and concerns are effectively communicated to the faculty administration. If you encounter challenges, whether academic related or based on any aspect of campus life, I encourage you to reach out. Your feedback is vital, and together we can work towards solutions that benefit everyone. This faculty is built on the foundation of collaboration and continuous improvement, and your input is a crucial part ofthat process.

Our faculty is unique in its blend of science and sport, and I encourage you to take full advantage of this diversity, whether you are a science student looking to explore sports or an athlete interested in the scientific aspects of performance, there are countless opportunities to broaden your horizons. am here to support your ambitions and help you navigate the various programs, resources, and initiatives available to you. Let’s work together to create a vibrant community where everyone can excel.

In addition to advocating for your needs, the importance of community and teamwork is fundamental. Our faculty thrives when we work together, respecting and learning from each other's differences. By fostering a culture of mutual support and inclusivity, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to achieve their best.

As we embark on this new academic year, please remember that I am here to serve you. My role is to ensure that your time in the Faculty of Science and Sport is not only academically successful but also enriching in every aspect. Let’s make this year a time of growth, achievement, and unity. Your voice is important, and together, we can make a lasting impact.

FACULTY SPORT EVENTS

SPORTS AND RECREATION

The Department of Sport is the "Home of World Class Athletes". Our vision is to have the best student athletics sports programme in the world. Our primary goal is to provide a sporting environment which enhances the development of quality, competitive, and recreational sporting activities which improve leadership skills, teamwork, confidence, discipline, and character building in our graduates.

At the centre of our facilities is the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, which has a 6,000 sq. ft. stage floor of sprung timber and a seating capacity for 1,100 including a balcony with tiered seating for 220. The auditorium also includes marked floor space for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton. The floor space is also used for table tennis and martial arts. Adjoining the auditorium is a weights room and a squash court.

Outdoor facilities include a golf putting area with a sand strap and fairways for par three, four, and five-hole, a cricket pitch and pavilion, a half-Olympic size swimming pool, a 310-meter grass running track, football and rugby field with changing facilities and colourfully painted netball, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts.

INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS

The Department offers twelve intercollegiate sports for men and women. Sports for both men and women include basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, squash, hockey, football, table tennis and track and field, our flagship sport. Sports restricted to men only are cricket and rugby and to women - netball.

Over the past 35 years, our Intercollegiate Sport programme has produced many national representatives in different sports. Our flagship sport, track & field, has produced some of the most notable student-athletes: namely, Olympians Elaine Thompson and past student-athletes Sherone Simpson, Sherika Williams, Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter, and Germaine Mason and former student-athlete women's 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Our intensive training programmes also provide and facilitate participation in CUSA games, ODUCC games, Penn Relays, and league competitions.

The sporting facilities are open to all students and members of staff with valid UTech, Ja. identification cards.

Director of Sport, Orville Byfield, heads the Department. For more information about the Department visit our website at: https://www.utech.edu.jm/campus-experience/sport.

LATEST FOSS EXCELLENCE HIGHLIGHTS (2023-2024)

LATEST RESEARCH PROJECTS

Ecological Research- Dr. Nikki Bramwell
Seagrass Habitat’s Nearest Neighbour Factor in Fish Distribution

Marine & Fisherfolk Research Studies- Ms. Christine O’Sullivan
Minimizing conflicts between dolphins and artisanal fishers in Jamaica.
Determining, for the first time, the distribution and types of marine mammal species found in Jamaican waters

Natural Products Research- Dr. Andrew Lamm
Complete Genome Sequence of Nocardia iowensis DSM 45197T (= NRRL 5646T)
Exploring Jamaica’s Natural Products through the NPRL, UTech

Health-Pharmaceuticals- Dr. Donna-Marie Wynter-Adams
Assessment of rational use of medicines for chronic non-communicable
diseases: A cross-sectional design in a public access clinic in Jamaica.

Forensic Sciences- Dr. Delton Gordon, Mrs. Andrea Fender Longman & Mr. Dujon Dunn
The effect of gruesome crimes on the personal and professional lives of forensic crime scene investigators in Jamaica.

Parasitology- Dr. Cecelia Waugh Hall
Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Backyard Chickens (Gallus-gallus domesticus)

Physics- George Ferreira
Cell Phone Radiation Exposure Level and Potential Health Impact on Jamaican Students: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study

Mathematics-Mr. Dennis Xavier
New Computational Technique for Solving Linear Programming Problem Subjected to Fuzzy Uncertainty ''published in the journal New Mathematics and Natural Computation.

STEM & Education Leadership
Prof. Kamilah Hylton
Assessing the Chemistry ‘Cookbook’ Culture – Caribbean Tertiary Students’ Perceptions of Plagiarism in General Chemistry I Laboratory Reports.

Dr. Debbie Devonish
Ensuring STEM teacher quality to meet the demands of the Caribbean.
COVID Education
Performance-Based Task Pedagogical Strategy for Assessment and its Effect on Mathematics Performance of Jamaican Grade nine High School Students.

Chemistry

Biochemical Research- Dr. Alexa Redway
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Hydroxyurea Analogues.
Alternative approach to the Oxpyrano [3, 2-c]-quinoline core.
Discovery of antiplasmodial pyridine carboxamides and thiocarboxamides.

-Dr. Kemmoy G Lattibeaudiere,
Unlocking the Mechanism of Oleic Acid and Succinic Acid: A Dynamic Duo for Combating Type 2 Diabetes in Sprague-Dawley Rats

-Prof. Samson Omoregie
Antimicrobial potential of unstressed and heat stressed Allium sativum.

Analytical- Mr. Kirk Wilson and Dr. Kerry Wilson
Optical and Electrochemical Sensing of Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II) in DMSO. Pyridyl Thiazole and (Thio) Amide Pincer Ligands versus Di-2 pyridyl Ketone Hydrazones

Inorganic Chemistry- Dr. Zeyar Min
Polymorphism from a 1:1 Ln: BTB reaction pot: Solvothermal versus
sonochemical synthesis of Ln-MOFs.

Research Methodology- Dr. Debbie Devonish
Using AI to Navigate Qualitative Analysis: Impacting Research Culture at UTech, Jamaica
Mixed Methods Studies in Jamaican Higher Education and Academia

Applied Research- Robert Johnson
Rx on the Fly: Drone Delivery of Pharmaceutical Products in Central Jamaica

-Dr. Zeyar Min
Harnessing AI for Research Excellence: Practical Tools, Strategies, and Ethical Consideration