The module provides hands-on learning to students, to complement theoretical modules on agricultural production. Farm (University farm) orientation; Poultry, Dairy & Pig production, Cattle identification and detention, Soil sampling, Crops planting and fertilizing, Plant population and yield estimation, Introduction to vegetable production, Irrigation scheduling, Blood samples and smears, administering veterinary drugs, surveying in agriculture, Farm week practical’s (all semesters).

AGPR132 Agricultural Practice II

This module is part II of the Agricultural practice module. Pig production and Dairying of University cattle, Control of internal parasites in livestock; Use & calibration of spraying equipment; Ox harness & ox-drawn ploughing; Tractor handling & ploughing/ contour construction; Soil coding; Vegetation coding in rangeland management; Farm budgets and Agric financing; Castration and dehorning, Game farming – farm visit; Field visits (research station/Large scale/small scale farming areas)

AGRO135 Plant Biology

The module covers the following basic understanding of plant physiological concepts; cell biology; plant growth and development; seed, germination and dormancy; plant growth regulators; plant mineral nutrition; plant water relations; photoperiodism and vernalization; photosynthesis at cellular level (light and dark reactions, C3, C4, CAM photosynthetic systems, photo-respiration).

AGRO132 Introduction to Genetics 

The module covers cell division, nucleic acids, central dogma of life, 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.  Population genetics, genetic biodiversity of agriculturally important plants and animals and conservation of genetic resources

AGRO136 Introduction to Statistics 

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. Sampling techniques; Data presentations and summarization techniques. statistical inference: hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, t-tests, chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA. Regression and correlation.

HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology

This module is aimed at assisting students to achieve their full academic potential by equipping them with the necessary communication and computer skills essential for their degree program.    

AGRO231 Crop Ecology and Physiology 

The module aims to cover the following aspects; growth analysis (Liebig’s law, parameters of size, efficiency and duration of the photosynthetic system, Infrared Gas Analyser); canopy and architecture (total radiation, the light spectrum, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); canopy photosynthesis and respiration; plant water relations; temperature and plant growth; partitioning of assimilates; modelling.

AGRO232 Principles of Plant Breeding

The modules cover basic statistics applied in plant breeding, Gene control models in eukaryotes, introduction to population genetics, quantitative genetics in plant breeding, Linkage and recombination in plant breeding, gene mapping in diploids, Reproductive systems and pollination control in crop plants, Polyploidy in Plant Breeding, Interspecific hybridisation, Tissue Culture in Plant Breeding, principles of Mutation Breeding, Principles of recombinant DNA Technology in plant breeding. 

AGRO234 Weed Science and Management 

The module covers evolution of weeds, adaptations of weeds as pests of disturbed areas, seed production, dormancy, germination, seed bank, weed interference, allelopathy and methods to study allelopathy, vegetative propagation mechanisms, weed dispersal. Weed management tactics: manual, cultural, legislative, biological weed control, chemical. classification of herbicides, herbicide selectivity, soil-applied herbicides, foliar applied herbicides, herbicide application.

AGRO233 Principles of Crop Production 

The module gives an overview of plant interactions with their environment and practices/techniques of nurturing a crop. Classification of crops; Agro-ecological factors affecting crop growth & yield; Land use classification and evaluation; Practices on crop establishment and protection, Soil fertility (manure and fertilizers) Cropping systems (e.g., Intercropping; agroforestry); Harvesting and post-harvest techniques; Irrigation principles plus scheduling; Organic farming principles

AGRO239 Statistical Methods and Experimental Design 

Introduction to experimental designs, data analysis and interpretation.  Analysis of variance for one factor, two-factor experiments and multi-factor experiments; Multiple comparisons of means; Partitioning of the sum of squares, transformations; Analysis of covariance; Repeated measures analysis; Regression, Correlation Multi-variate regression; Data entry, analysis and interpretation using statistical packages (MINITAB, GENSTAT, SAS, R) for all designs: Regression and Correlation.

AGRO246 Research Methods and Scientific Writing

The module equips students with research and scientific writing competencies. Planning-formulation of research questions and design, measurement tools and sampling. Referencing data sources. Research ethics and plagiarism.   Research methods. Development of research proposals, experimental protocols and concept notes. Data handling, analysis & interpretation.  Report / thesis writing, presentations and dissemination. Students produce and submit a term paper on a selected topic on a relevant research topic.

AGRO238 Seed Science and Production

The module covers seed science, production and associated legislation. Introduction to the physiology of development, ripening, and dormancy of crop seeds. Seed multiplication. Methods of harvesting, drying, processing, storage and marketing of seed. Tests for purity, germination capacity, and vigour, moisture contents, uniformity and health. Maintaining varietal purity. Procedures for certification, release and registration of cultivars. Seed laws and regulations.

AGRO423 Applied Plant Breeding 

The module covers goals of plant breeding, Plant Introduction and Domestication, Genetic Consequences of Hybridisation, Introduction to theory of selection, breeding methods with self-pollinated crops; Breeding methods with cross pollinated plants; Principles of marker assisted selection in plant breeding, Seed production and marketing; Future of plant breeding

AGRO446 Global Environmental Issues and Climate Change

The module outlines global environmental issues and ocean-atmosphere phenomena of importance in agriculture. Climate change; The role of water bodies and ice caps in regulating the global climatic systems; El-nino and La-nina effect; The ozone layer; Pollution and contamination of the environment; pollution from agro-chemicals; WHO limits on the concentration of pesticides and other pollutants in potable water and food; Deforestation; erosion; desertification; measures to combat degradation; Sustainable development paradigms.

AGRO424 Applied Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology    

The modules covers plant tissue culture systems and methods (includes cell culture systems, micro-propagation, somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis); application of biotechnology in the conservation of crop genetic resources (in vitro and cryopreservation); understanding of traditional and molecular assisted plant breeding; molecular markers, genomics, gene transfer systems, including case studies and regulatory and ethical issues; cell & molecular understandings of plant processes important in horticulture, agriculture and forestry.

AGRO450 Annual Food Crop Production 

The module covers classification, adaptation and agronomy of selected annual field crops grown for food. Classification, importance, growth and development of selected groups of annual food crops.  Regional and national potential; limitations to production; Agronomy: cultivar selection, land preparation, planting, weed, pest and disease management, irrigation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of cereal grain, legume grain; plantain; root and tuber crops. 

AGRO451 Industrial and Cash Crop Production 

The module highlights the economic importance, agronomy and marketing of cash and industrial crops; Regional potential and limitations to production; Economic importance; Agronomy of cash and industrial crops; cultivar selection, soil requirements, tillage, planting, fertilizer application, weeding, crop protection, irrigation, harvesting, post-harvest processing and marketing cash and industrial beverage, sugar, fibre, oilseeds, drug, nut, silvicultural and citrus. 

HORT131 Principles of Microbiology 

The module provides an introduction to the study of microorganisms relevant to the areas of agriculture, food and industry. Introduction to the range of microorganisms; Bacteria and fungi, Viruses and viroids, Protozoa. Microorganisms as agents of diseases; Beneficial aspects of microbes; Food spoilage; Food and industrial microbiology.

HORT133 Introduction to Horticulture 

The module covers all basics of Horticulture. Definition, characteristics and importance of horticulture; Branches of horticulture, classification of horticultural crops; Management of environmental factors influencing horticultural plants; growing structures, Pruning and training of horticultural crops; Innovations in the horticultural industry – hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, Harvesting, postharvest handling and storage.

HORT132 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology 

This module covers beneficial and injurious insects, classification, adaptation characteristics, insect anatomy and physiology, nervous system, digestive system, locomotion, insect reproduction, and metamorphosis.  Mites, ticks and nematodes-morphology, classification, reproduction and economic importance. 

HORT231 Biology and Management of Plant Pathogens 

This module covers issues to deal with the structure, physiology, reproduction and classification of bacteria and other procaryotes, fungi, viruses, parasitic higher plants and their role as plant pathogens; Concepts of Disease epidemiology, Disease Cycle; Mechanisms of infection; Plant defence mechanisms against pathogens; Physiological or Abiotic Diseases to plants; Plant Disease management – cultural, chemical, preventative within the concept of integrated disease management. Lifecycles and management of key crop disease

HORT232 Olericulture 

This module seeks to teach students the science and art of vegetable production. Classification of vegetables and their economic importance; Production and management of the following groups: Solanaceous crops, Cucurbit crops, Cole crops, Legume crops, Leafy Vegetables, Alliums, Root crops, Traditional Vegetables, Export Vegetables, Herbs and Spices

HORT233 Plant Propagation and Nursery Management 

This module introduces students to the main concepts of propagating plants and managing nurseries. The regeneration of plants from vegetative and reproductive tissue and organs. Methods, and techniques for greenhouse, nursery, field and orchards. Nursery layouts for efficient production, handling and distribution, programming production, nursery practices, field and container growing of woody ornamentals, mechanization, quality control, and record keeping.

HORT235 Biology and Management of Plant-Insect Pests 

This module covers important pests of crops, biology and ecology, life cycles, population ecology, population monitoring and economic decision making, monitoring and pest risk assessments, pest management strategies- cultural, physical, biological, IPM, surveillance, quarantine, botanicals, pheromones, insect growth regulators, plant resistance and genetic modifications of plants or insects. 

HORT445 Floriculture            

The module covers important aspects of cut flower and ornamental flower production. Factors affecting flower and ornamental production. Ecological requirements of flower and ornamental production. Greenhouse flower and ornamental production. Botany and physiology of cut flowers (Rose, Carnations, Proteas and Chrysanthemums), Flower cooling and temperature requirements, and flower preservation.

HORT434 Mushroom Production 

This module covers techniques and practices in the production of mushrooms. Mushroom biology, spawn production, preparation of media and tissue cultures, cultivation techniques, types of substrates, mycorrhiza and edible fungi, preparing and spawning straw substrate, oyster mushroom cultivation.

HORT435 Postharvest Physiology and Technology 

The module introduces the students to basic postharvest handling of fruits, vegetables and cereals at domestic, small scale and commercial levels. Storage physiology and biochemistry of fruits, vegetables and ornamental crops. Influence of pre-harvest grading. storage, packing, transportation and marketing. Effects of storage temperature CO2, O2, ethylene on ripening.

HORT437 Organic Farming 

The module focuses on organic production systems, soil and plant nutrition, nutrient cycling. Organic pest and disease control, managing and saving weeds. Livestock integration in organic farming. Marketing of organic products. Research and development.

HORT444 Plantation Horticulture

The module provides an overview of the production of fruit & nut trees. Plant growth and development in relation to tree fruit production; emphasis on canopy development and pruning, flowering and fruit set and development and dormancy. Overview of the Zimbabwe fruit and nut industry. Fruits include both indigenous and exotics.

HORT442 Landscape Horticulture 

The module aims to address aesthetic components of Horticulture, Definition of Landscape horticulture, sustainable landscapes, effective landscaping, benefits of landscaping (aesthetic, environmental, social, economic, health), Elements of design, Principles of design, the design process, lawn establishment, turf management, Ground covers, Edible landscaping, xeriscaping, Landscape function software.

HORT413 Herbal Horticulture

The module addresses agronomic aspects of herb and spice production and their commercial utilization. Herbal botany, Biology and physiology of herbal plants and spices. Compounds of medicinal plants. Propagation methods of medicinal plants. Intensive herb and spices production. Research trends in herbal and spice production. Marketing. Plants include Aloe vera, Russian comfrey, Chinese mint, Balbernella, Crotolaria spp, Moringa olifera and many others. 

AGPR330, AGPR331, AGPR332 & AGPR333: Work-Related Learning 

Work-Related Learning (WRL) for at least 8 months of the third year is a prerequisite for registration for fourth year modules.  The purpose of WRL is to make students relate theory to practice in real work situations, facilitate students to acquire world of work experience and skills, facilitate career choices by students and help students to identify entrepreneurial and business opportunities, among others. WRL is assessed as two components viz. continuous assessment and WRL report. The continuous assessment component consists of at least two assessment reports by academic staff that visit the students during WRL plus a workplace supervisor’s report.  The Work-Related Preliminary (WRP) and WRL reports are comprehensive and critical analyses of the activities, processes and outputs of the organization to which the student was attached and the drawing of lessons learnt from the WRL experiences.   The student is required to identify a specific problem in systems, processes and/or in the organization to which they are seconded, and analyse the problem and solutions.   Credit will be given to reports that show critical thinking and comprehensive analysis of the problem identified during WRL.

AGHORT480 Dissertation 

The module prepares students in areas of proposal writing, conducting of research, data interpretation and publication. They get an opportunity to engage in an independent study, with limited supervision and guidance. This is achieved through a program that exposes students to: research proposal writing, data collection & organization, data analyses & statistical competence, data interpretation & presentation, quality scientific writing, oral presentations.