Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Agronomy (HAGRO)
Overview
- The programme aims at contributing towards sustainable food and cash crop production, economic growth and overall food security.
- The Department will accomplish its mission by:
- Developing curricula that provide appropriate theoretical knowledge and practical skills in field crop production.
- Production of competitive and innovative graduates for various career opportunities in private and public sectors as well as self-employment.
- Departmental participation in agricultural development through research, innovation, industrialization and outreach programmes.
- Collaborating with relevant stakeholders.
Entry Requirements
NORMAL ENTRY
Prospective students should have:
- At least two ‘A’ Level passes in Biology/Crop science/Horticulture and any other
science subject.
- At least five ‘O’ Lev
SPECIAL ENTRY.
Relevant Diploma based on Departmental Board evaluation el passes including English Language, Science and Mathematics.
Programme Structure
- In the first year, students are expected to acquaint themselves with introductory modules of the degree programme. Choice of modules should be done with guidance of Departmental staff.
- The degree programme shall have at least 36 taught modules spread over the 6 teaching semesters.
Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
*AGRO135 Plant Biology 12
*LWR135 Principles of Soil Science 12
*AGED131 Introduction to Agricultural Economics 12
*HAWS132 Principles of Biochemistry 12
*HORT131 Principles of Microbiology 12
*HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology 12
*AGPR131 Agricultural Practice 1 6
*CS131 Basic Communication Skills 12
Level 1 Semester 2
*AGRO132 Introduction to Genetics (HAWS132) 12
*HORT133 Introduction to Horticulture 12
*HORT132 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology 12
*LWR137 Soil fertility and plant mineral nutrition (LWR135) 12
*AGRO136 Introduction to Statistics 12
*AGPR132 Agricultural Practice 2 (AGPR131) 6
Level 2 Semester 1
*AGRO231 Crop Ecology and Physiology (AGRO135) 12
*AGRO233 Principles of Crop Production (AGRO135) 12
*HORT231 Biology and Management of Plant Pathogens 12
*AGRO239 Statistical Methods and Experimental Design (AGRO136) 12
*AEGS231 Gender Studies 12
*ENT131 Entrepreneurship 1 12
Optional (Choose one module from those on offer in the current semester)
AGRO248 GIS and Land Use Planning 12
AGRO232 Principles of Plant Breeding (AGRO132) 12
LWR233 Principles of Irrigation 12
AGRO236 Agroforestry (AGRO135) 12
AGPR234 Value Addition in Agriculture 12
Level 2 Semester 2
*AGRO246 Research Methods and Scientific Writing 12
*HORT235 Biology and Management of Plant Insect Pests (HORT132) 12
*AGRO234 Weed Science and Management (AGRO135) 12
*AGED240 Farm Business and Management (AGED131) 12
*HAWS238 Natural Resource Management 12
Optional (Choose two from modules on offer in the current semester)
AGRO238 Seed Science and Production (AGRO135/AGRO132) 12
AGRO255 Plant Breeding Practice (AGRO 232) 12
HORT232 Olericulture (HORT133) 12
LWR236 Irrigation Systems Design 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
*AGRO450 Annual Food Crop Production (AGRO233) 12
*AGRO447 Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology (AGRO135) 12
*AGRO446 Global Environmental Issues and Climate change 12
*AGED439 Agricultural Extension 12
Optional (Choose two from modules on offer in the current semester)
AGRO422 Plant Breeding Methods (AGRO232) 12
AGED401 Agriculture and Food Marketing (AGED131, AGED240) 12
HORT 445 Floriculture 12
HORT446 Pesticide Science 12
AGRO434 Crop processing and Storage of Grain Crops (AGRO233) 12
LWR435 Project Planning and Feasibility Studies 12
HORT442 Landscape Horticulture 12
AGRO433 Basic Agricultural Meteorology 12
Level 4 Semester 2 Prerequisites Credits
*AGRO451 Industrial and Cash Crop Production (AGRO233) 12
*AGHORT480 Dissertation 24
*LWR240 Soil and Water Conservation 12
Optional (Choose two from modules on offer in the current semester)
AGRO432 Applied Plant Breeding (AGRO232) 12
AGRO412 Advanced Research Methods in Natural Sciences 12
HORT435 Post Harvest Physiology and Technology 12
AGRO424 Applied Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology 12
* Core modules (Obligatory)
MODULE SYNOPSIS
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 Introduction to genetics, Cellular division and chromosomes, Mendelian principles of inheritance, Gene interaction, chromosome theory of heredity, Sex determination and sex linkage, Nucleic acids, genetic code and protein synthesis, Gene and chromosomal mutations, Maternal effects and Cytoplasmic heredity.
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.
AGPR131 Agricultural Practice 1
The module provides hands-on learning to students, to compliment theoretical modules on agricultural production. Farm (University farm) orientation; Poultry, Dairy & Pig production, Cattle identification and detention, Soil sampling, Crop 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 practicals (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)
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 module covers probability analysis and chi-square tests in inheritance studies, Gene control models in eukaryotes, introduction to population genetics, Quantitative Inheritance, and Components of heritability in plant breeding. Linkage and recombination in plant breeding, gene mapping in diploids, Reproductive systems and pollination control crop plants, Polyploidy in Plant Breeding, Interspecific hybridization, Tissue Culture in Plant Breeding, principles of Mutation Breeding, Principles of recombinant DNA Technology in plant breeding.
AGRO236 Agro Forestry
In this module, students learn to create resilient agricultural systems that are more productive and sustainable. Basic concepts in Agroforestry, classification of Agroforestry systems, Plant aspects of Agroforestry, soil aspects in Agroforestry, component interactions in Agroforestry, propagation of tree species, factors influencing the adoption of Agroforestry systems, design of Agroforestry systems
HORT235 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 diseases
AGRO248 GIS and Land Use Planning
The course deals with both theoretical and practical principles of geographical information systems and remote sensing as they relate to assessment of agricultural and environmental resources. The course will equip students with knowledge and skills of assessing, evaluating, analysing and mapping distribution and changes in natural resources and the environment using ground surveys, GPS, existing maps and satellite images.
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 comparison of means; Partitioning of 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.
AGRO255 Plant Breeding Practice
This module covers key issues that are required in developing the techniques of plant breeding. The focus will be given on induction of variation, emasculation techniques, mating systems and pollination techniques, proper field designs, selection techniques. The student will also learn how to manage a breeding program by using computer software.On completion of this module the student should be able to manage a breeding program using appropriate computer software.
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.
AGPR330, AGPR331, AGPR332 and 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 analysis 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, analyse the problem and solutions. Credit will be given to reports that show critical thinking and comprehensive analysis of the problem identified during WRL.
AGRO434 Crop Processing and Storage of Grain Crops
The module covers the following aspects; Introduction to post-harvest technology of grain crops. Post-harvest losses. Grain properties and characteristics. Harvesting and drying of grain crops. Crop storage (causes of in –store losses and their control; types and management of storage structures). Threshing and shelling of grain crops. Primary processing of agricultural products (grains and oilseeds); value addition of grain crops.
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 analysis & statistical competence, data interpretation & presentation, quality scientific writing, oral presentations.
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 concentration of pesticides and other pollutants in potable water and food; Deforestation; erosion; desertification; measures to combat degradation; Sustainable development paradigms.
AGRO447 Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology
This module presents an overview of the techniques and underlying theory of molecular biology, plant tissue culture and genetic engineering, research and commercial applications, in the area of plant biotechnology. It exposes students to issues and challenges encountered in the area of molecular biology and plant biotechnology.
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 crops.
HORT446 Pesticide Science
This module covers the role of pesticides, pesticide classification, modes of activity, formulation, laws and regulations governing use of pesticides in Zimbabwe, pesticide registration in Zimbabwe, equipment used to apply pesticides, calibration, pesticide hazards to humans, wildlife, and the environment, management of pesticide resistance and pesticides in integrated pest management programmes.
AGRO422 Plant Breeding Methods
The module covers breeding methods for self-pollinated crops and breeding methods for cross pollinated crops; Population improvement methods; Types of cultivars: pure lines, multi-lines, various types of hybrids, synthetics, composites, and open pollinated varieties.
AGRO432 Applied Plant Breeding
In this module the student acquires knowledge on applications in plant breeding. The student studies breeding for insect and disease resistance, temperature and moisture stress, quality and adaptation in a specific crop. On completion of the module the student should be able to successfully initiate a breeding program for the crop studied.
AGRO424 Applied Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology
The aim of this module is to expose the student to molecular markers used in plant breeding and crop protection, and the application of these techniques in breeding programs and crop protection. After completing this module, the student should be able to apply these techniques in plant breeding and crop protection.
| HAWS132 Principles of Biochemistry
Refer to the Department of Animal and Wildlife Science. AGED131 Introduction to Agricultural Economics Refer to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Development CS131 Basic Communication Skills Refer to the Department of Communication Skills HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology Refer to the Department of Computer Science HORT131 Principles of Microbiology Refer to Horticulture degree programme LWR135 Principles of Soil Science Refer to the Department of Land and Water Resources Management HORT132 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology Refer to Horticulture degree programme LWR137 Soil Fertility and Plant Mineral Nutrition Refer to the Land and Water Resources Management Department ENT131 Entrepreneurship 1 Refer to the Entrepreneurship Department AGED240 Farm Business and Management Refer to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Development HORT232 Olericulture Refer to the Horticulture Degree programme LWR236 Irrigation Systems Design Refer to land and Water Resources Management Department AEGS231 Gender Studies Refer to the Gender Studies Department |
HAWS238 Natural Resource Management
Refer to the Animal and Wildlife Sciences Department
AGED401 Agriculture and Food Marketing
Refer to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Development
HORT445 Floriculture
Refer to Horticulture Degree Programme
LWR405 Project Planning and Feasibility Studies
Refer to the Land and Water Resources Management Department
LWR240 Soil and Water Conservation
Refer to the Land and Water Resources Management Department
HORT435 Post Harvest Physiology and Technology
Refer to Horticulture Degree Programme