Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Poultry Science (HPS)
Programme Overview
To promote the productivity of wildlife resources and through an understanding of wildlife management and the techniques used in habitat and wildlife populations management and their consequences on wildlife resources. This will contribute towards sustainable wildlife management in Zimbabwe’s ecosystems and SADC region.
Entry Requirements
Five ‘O‘ level subjects including English, Maths and Science and any 2 ‘A‘ Level subjects with at least one science subject from the following; Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, Geography, Physics. Applicants with good ‘O’ level Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science and Mathematics and any other ‘A’ level subjects can be considered.
Articulation as provided by ZNQF.
Recognition criteria for foreign credentials and international students.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employability: Research and Development Lab Technician, Food Inspector, Breeding Supervisor, Extension Agent.
Further Studies: Masters and Doctoral studies in hatchery management, nutrition, health, biosecurity, economics, and product processing.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Credits
AGPR 131 Agricultural Practice 1 6
CS 131 Communication Skills 12
HSC 135 Introduction to Information Technology 12
HAWS 133 Introduction to Microbiology 12
HAWS 140 Introduction to Poultry Science 12
Level 1 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
AGPR 132 Agricultural Practice 2 AGPR131 6
AGRO 132 Introduction to Genetics 12
AGRO 134 Introduction to Statistics 12
HAWS 135 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology 12
HAWS 132 Introduction to Biochemistry 12
HAWS 139 Poultry Anatomy and Physiology 12
Level 2 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
GS 231 Gender Studies 12
HAWS 231 Statistical Methods and Experimental Designs AGRO 134 12
ENT 235 Entrepreneurship 12
HAWS 250 Poultry Breeding 12
HAWS 253 Poultry Immunology and Vaccination 12
Level 2 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
HAWS 251 Poultry Disease and Control HAWS 133, HAWS133 12
HAWS 252 Poultry Nutrition HAWS 132 12
HAWS 254 Poultry Housing and Equipment 12
Level 3 Semester 1: Work-Related Learning
AGPR330 Work-Related Preliminary Report 30
Level 3 Semester 2: Work-Related Learning
AGPR331 Work-Related Learning Report 45
AGPR332 Employer’s Assessment Report 30
AGPR333 Academic Supervisor’s Report 45
Level 4 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
HAWS 450 Hatchery Management 12
HAWS 451 Broiler Production 12
HAWS 433 Biotechnology in Animal Science HAWS 132, HAWS 232 12
HAWS 453 Indigenous Poultry Management 12
HAWS 454 Layer Production 12
HAWS 455 Duck, Turkey and Game-birds Production 12
Level 4 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
HAWS 456 Poultry Products Processing HAWS 131, HAWS 132 12
HAWS 439 Research Project AGRO 134, HAWS231 24
HAWS 457 Poultry Welfare 12
HAWS 458 Environmental Management in Poultry Production 12
HAWS 459 Poultry Products and Technology 12
HAWS 460 Marketing of Poultry Products 12
14.0 MODULE SYNOPSES
HAWS 140 Introduction to Poultry Science
Definition of Poultry. History of poultry. Present status and future prospects. Poultry industry in Zimbabwe. Importance of Poultry farming. Market capitalisation, size of the industry, contribution to the economy of Zimbabwe, employment opportunities. Principles of domestication behavioural factors favouring domestication. Adaptations of poultry in different regions. Breeds of poultry. Poultry production systems
HAWS 139 Poultry Anatomy and Physiology
Descriptive terms for relative positions of animal structures, the skeletal system (osteology)- axial and appendicular skeletons, joints of the skeleton (Arthrology), muscles (myology), digestive system of poultry, reproductive organs of the male and female, circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, nervous system and the endocrine system; Homoeostasis, blood, lymph and other body fluids-composition and their function; Blood circulation, cardiac cycle; Internal and external respiration; Physiology of kidneys: the nephron, rennin-angiotensin systems, acid-base balance; Reproductive physiology of the male and female. Characteristics and functions of the nervous systems.
HAWS 132 Introduction to Biochemistry
Energy flows in biological systems; Structure of cells; Stereochemistry: positional, geometrical and optical isomerism; Chemistry of carbohydrates: classification, structure, functions, mobilization and transport; Chemistry of proteins: amino acids their classification, structure, functions, mobilization and transport; Chemistry and functions of nucleic acids; and DNA and RNA, their functions and roles in life processes.
HAWS 133 Introduction to Microbiology
Characteristics of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells: micro-organisms viz. Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Viroid’s and Protozoa; Classification, morphology, nutrition, growth, replication and metabolism; Micro-organisms as agents of diseases (pathogens); Use of micro-organisms in industrial microbiology: cheese, beer, wine making, and in silage making; Immunology; Techniques of isolating and identifying micro-organisms; and Microscopy.
AGRO 132 Introduction to Genetics
Cell division: mitosis and meiosis; Nucleic acids, replication and protein synthesis; Mendelian principles: segregation and independent assortment. Environmental effects and gene expression; Gene interaction and lethality; sex determination and sex linkage; Gene mutation and induced genetic change (biotechnology); Gene structure and regulation; and Population genetics, genetic biodiversity of agriculturally important plants and animals and conservation of genetic resources. Computing Relationships and the inbreeding coefficient, uses of inbreeding. Quantitative genetics: the quantitative traits model, components of phenotypic and genetic variance and their estimation, genotype value, additive genetic or breeding value, dominance genetic value, epistemic genetic value, influence of selection, influence of inbreeding, the selection response, heritability and repeatability, genotype x environment interaction, phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations.
AGRO 134 Introduction to Statistics
Fundamentals of basic statistics and probability theory. Introduction to statistics: definition, uses of statistics in research, business, tourism and agriculture; Probability: multiplicative law, addition law, conditional probability, tree diagram, law of total probability; Probability distributions: random variables, discrete, continuous, binomial distribution, normal distribution; Measures of central tendency and dispersion: mean, median, mode, range, variance, standard deviation, standard error of the mean; Sampling technique: simple random, stratified, cluster, systematic; Data types, presentation and summarization techniques; Tables, graphs, charts; Regression and correlation: regression parameters, correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination; and Simple statistical inference: hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, t-tests, chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA.
HAWS 135 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology
Position of insects in the world: reproductive capacity, beneficial and injurious insects. Insect external anatomy: the exoskeleton, ecdysis. Internal anatomy and physiology: The nervous system-sight, sound and vibration detection, chemical communication (pheromones), the digestive system, locomotion, insect reproduction, metamorphosis; Insect classification, life cycles, population ecology, population monitoring and economic decision making; Mites, ticks and spiders; Nematodes-morphology, classification, reproduction and economic importance.
HAWS 231 Statistical Methods and Experimental Designs
Module will introduce students to the application of statistics in animal and wildlife research by covering the following aspects: The Whys and Wherefores of Statistics; Descriptive statistics; Probability and Probability distribution; Sampling and sampling Distribution; Experimental and Quasi Experimental Designs; Hypothesis Testing (t-test, F-test, Chi-squared test); Linear Correlation and regression; Further Regression Analysis; Non-parametric statistical methods; Further Aspects of design and Analysis; Additional techniques ( Bioassay and Diagnostic Analysis).Data entry, analysis and interpretation using statistical packages( STATA, GENSTAT, R and EPI Info) for all designs: Regression and Correlation. Fitting statistics in research proposal and dissertation write-ups.
HAWS 250 Poultry Breeding
Origin and history of poultry species. Poultry genetic resources: evolution, diversity, conservation. Qualitative genetics. Mutations and major variants in poultry. Cytology and cytogenetics. Pleiotropic and associated effects of major genes. Linkage relationships and gene mapping. Immunogenetics, Molecular genetics, genetic engineering. Quantitative genetics and selection. Genetics of growth and meat production in poultry. Genetics of egg production. Industrial breeding and selection
HAWS 251 Poultry Diseases and Control
Definition, symptoms and signs of diseases in poultry. Management of hygienic conditions. Importance of sanitation. Predisposing factors of diseases. Common diseases of poultry and their causative agents – symptoms and treatments. Viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and protozoan diseases. Drugs and antibiotics
HAWS 252 Poultry Nutrition
Importance of nutrition in poultry production. Classification and chemical value of poultry feeds, feed additives; Chemical composition of feeds; biochemistry of feed constituents; Analysis of feeds- proximate analysis scheme, Van Soest and Moore systems; Stock-feed manufacturing and legislation in the poultry feed industry, improving forage feed value; Digestibility, feed efficiency. Biochemical theories of voluntary feed intake; Kinetics of digestion and passage ; and Metabolic functions and roles of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in poultry. Nutrient requirements of different types of poultry. Feed formulation
HAWS 253 Poultry Immunology and Vaccination
Avian immune system, innate and acquired immune systems. Antigens- determinants of antigenicity, biological classes of antigens. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Production and role of different types of antibodies, IgM, IgA, IgG, Bile. Complement system. Immunodeficiency diseases. Live and killed vaccines. Vaccination programmes for poultry. Vaccination procedures.
HAWS 254 Poultry Housing and Equipment
Importance and principles of poultry housing. Housing considerations for different seasons. Heat loss and heat production in poultry. Methods of housing. Floor space requirements. Brooder house equipment. Grower house equipment. Layer house equipment. Water equipment, feeding equipment, Heaters and brooders, Incubator, chick box, egg scale, egg washer
Poultry Entrepreneurship
Economics of egg production, economics of broiler production, economics of indigenous (backyard) poultry production. Poultry farm records, inventory receipts and expenditure. Pricing, marketing, advertising. Government policy on poultry products. Taxation. Poultry insurance and financial management.
HAWS 450 Hatchery Management
Hatchery design, incubators and hatchers. Incubation basics, fertilised egg, temperature and humidity control, ventilation. Breeding stock selection and management. Egg handling – picking, grading, storage and transportation. Incubator settings. Egg turning. Feather sexing broiler chicks. Hatchery sanitation. Hatchery waste disposal. Record keeping
HAWS 451 Broiler Production
Housing Design. Stocking density. Insulation. Brooding Chamber. Equipment. Feeding Systems. Heating Systems. Ventilation Systems. House Preparation. Litter Management. Important Functions of Litter. Litter Alternatives. Minimum Litter Requirements. Chick Quality. Brooding Management. Internal chick temperature. Growing Phase. Lighting Programs. Ventilation Management. Management Techniques in Hot Conditions. Water Management. Water Sanitation and System Cleanout. Nutrition Management. Bio-Security and Farm Sanitation. Bird Health. Vaccination. Record Keeping
HAWS 453 Indigenous Poultry Management
Breeds. Selecting breeding stock and housing. Laying nests, Management practices – Feeding, Collecting the eggs, Hatching, Brooding, Heat Sources, Brooder Preparation, Rearing chicks, Scavenging, Record keeping, Diseases, Vaccination, Biosecurity.
HAWS 454 Layer Production
Brooding Management. Lighting During Brooding Period. Drinking Systems. Beak Treatment / Trimming. Growth and Development. Feed Consumption and Uniformity. Space requirements. Laying House. Vaccination programme. Lighting Practices. Light Program for Light-Controlled Housing. Lighting Programs for Open-Sided Housing. Heat Stress. Water Quality. Air Quality. Nutrition Management. Disease Control. Egg Standards. Egg Size Distribution. Moulting.
HAWS 455 Duck, Turkey and Game-birds Production
Duck – Breeds and varieties. Duck production systems, Feeds and Feeding, water requirements, Nutrient requirements. Management of Ducks- Brooder, Grower and Layer Ducks. Duck egg incubation. Diseases. Turkey -Biosecurity -Hygiene procedures, Vehicles and equipment, Birds, rodents, insects and mammals. Cleaning and disinfection. Growing systems. Brooding and growing management. Growing. Water. feeding and Nutrition-Feed form, Addition of whole grain, Addition of insoluble grit, Feed composition, Feed management. Weighing. Marketing. Game birds – Guinea fowl, pheasant, squab (or pigeon) and quail management
HAWS 457 Poultry Welfare
Poultry welfare and ethics – Diseases and stress affecting poultry welfare. Recent advances in genetics impacting on poultry welfare. Welfare issues in husbandry issues and transport- Handling, care and treatment of poultry in confinement and extensive systems.
HAWS 439 Research Project
Explore research issues in poultry, research concept development, research proposal writing, data collection and organization, data analyses and statistical indication, data interpretation and presentation, prototyping; presentation of research findings; research project write up.
HAWS 458 Environmental Management in Poultry Production
Poultry litter materials. Poultry farm pollution. Value of poultry manure. Moisture management methods. Litter reutilisation. manure storage within and outside of the poultry house (including solids systems and liquid, slurry, and semisolids systems); waste treatment and utilization (e.g., composting, anaerobic lagoons, aerobic digestion, and direct incineration); nutrient management; dead-bird management (rendering, composting, and incineration); and alternative uses for manure.
Poultry and Egg Processing
Characteristics of Poultry, Fat content, Microbial contamination. Slaughter procedures –preslaughter handling, slaughtering, chilling. Processing of poultry – raw poultry products. Processed poultry products-battering and breading, tumbling and massaging, smoking, deboning and grinding. Egg processing
HAWS 459 Poultry Products and Technology
Poultry meat and egg quality identification and quality maintenance. Chemical and nutritive characteristics. Measuring yields and characteristics. Packaging and refrigerated storage. Canning poultry products and processing soups. Preservation by radiation. Cooking and barbecuing poultry. Inedible by-products. Eggs: physical, chemical, nutritional, and functional characteristics. Methods of analyses of eggs and egg products
HAWS 460 Marketing of Poultry Products
Definition. Marketing strategies of poultry and eggs. Importance of marketing. Direct marketing, Marketing channels. Marketing intermediaries. Evaluation of the marketing channel.