Programme Overview
This programme aims to give graduates in various areas of Crop Protection and related fields an opportunity to broaden their knowledge in Crop Protection. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific aspects of Biology, Ecology and Management of Plant Pathogen, Insects Pest, Weeds and Nematodes; Pesticide Science, Biotechnological Techniques; Climatology and Environmental Issues and Experimental Design and Analysis.
On completion of this programme, graduates will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the disciplines related to crop protection; make them familiar with chemical, biological, and physical principles that relate to crop plants and their environment. Develop their skills to apply the principles related to crops, soils, and environment to solve crop protection problems.
- Develop their leadership, communication, and technical skills in crop protection sciences.
- Manage agricultural enterprises and develop entrepreneurship skills to create employment and improve the economy of the country.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the programme, a candidate must normally be a holder of a first degree with an upper second (2.1) class or better in Crop Protection, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture or related fields from a recognized University.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employability
- Private Sector – Crop Protectionists, Plant Breeders, Agronomists Technical and Sales Representatives, Farm Managers, and Consultants.
- Public Sector – Researchers (Crop Protectionists, Plant Breeders, Agronomists), Public Policy Advisors, Lecturers.
- Entrepreneurs – Farmers, Consultants.
FURTHER STUDIES
PhD and DPhil degrees in Crop Protection, Biotechnology, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Crop Processing etc.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The following structure would allow candidates to major in Crop Production, Crop Improvement or Crop Protection.
Module Credits
Level I
MCPR701 Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis 24
MCPR702 Advanced Weed Biology and Ecology 24
MCPR703 Advanced Bacteriology, Virology and Nematology 24
MCPR705 Advanced Mycology and Disease Epidemiology 24
MCPR706 Advanced Weed Management 24
MCPR707 Advanced Insect Pest Ecology and Biology 24
MCPR708 Advanced Pesticide Science and Insect Pest Management 24
Choose one
MCPR709 – Agro- Climatology 7 Environmental Issues 24
MCPR710 – Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management 24
Level II
MCPR 870 Dissertation 192
MODULE SYNOPSES
MCPR701 Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis
Methods of research and experimentation in crop protection science. Data collection and organisation. Experimental designs and data analysis in crop production. Regression models and analysis. Intensive practicals on the use of statistical software for data processing. Principle component analysis. Survey methodology and scientific communication.
MCPR702 Advanced Weed Biology and Ecology
The weed problem, Weed identification and classification, Zimbabwe’s problem weeds; Weed reproduction and dispersal; weed dormancy; genetics and evolution of weeds; patterns of evolutionary development; Weed demography and population dynamics; Associations of weeds and crops; competition, response of crops and weeds to competition, competition thresholds; allelopathy. Biology of the problem of Zimbabwe’s problem weeds, Biology of common poisonous weeds in the tropics, Biology and ecology of Aquatic weeds.
MCPR703 Advanced Bacteriology, Virology and Nematology
Bacteria: Structure, classification, characteristics, diversity and identification techniques; Symptomatology/Effects of plant pathogenic bacteria; Survival, reproduction, multiplication and dispersal. Viruses: Characteristics, classification, reproduction, transmission diversity and identification techniques; Symptoms. Viroids and mycoplasmalike organisms. Plant disease management tactics: cultural, biological, host plant resistance, chemical; the role of biotechnology in plant disease management. Classification, Structure, General characteristics, identification, ecology. Symptomatology, dispersal. Major nematode pests of economic importance in agriculture. Nematode management tactics: cultural, biological, host plant resistance, chemical and integrated nematode control in specific crops.
MCPR704 Basic Biotechnological Techniques
This module focuses on selected aspects of biotechnology that provide the non- specialist with the principles for understanding techniques in biotechnology including microscopy, separation of biomolecules and organs and their extraction and characterization, aseptic techniques, molecular based diagnostic techniques, tissue and organ culture techniques, DNA manipulation, sequencing, cloning, subcloning, library construction, screening, RNA isolation and characterization, analysis of expression, cDNA synthesis (RTPCR) and analysis, microarrays and gene chips, and Real Time PCR.
MCPR705 Advanced Mycology and Disease Epidemiology
Fungi: Classification, Structure, characteristics, and diversity; Symptoms incited by plant pathogenic fungi; Survival, reproduction. Plant disease management tactics: cultural, biological, host plant resistance, chemical; the role of biotechnology in plant disease management. Management of specific fungal diseases in selected crops. Factors in disease epidemics, disease progress curves, disease forecasting and modelling, relating disease severity and incidence to yield loss.
MCPR706 Advanced Weed Management
Concept and methods of weed management: preventive, cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical and the role of genetic engineering in weed management. Integrated weed management. Herbicide classification, properties of major herbicide classes, herbicide movement in soil and plants, herbicide persistence; application; formulations; safety and environmental issues. Weed management system design and implementation; weed management in different systems (annual crops, aquatics, perennial cropping, conservation agriculture etc).
MCPR707 Advanced Insect Pest Ecology and Biology
General characteristics and effects of insect pests and mites; systematics of agriculturally important orders; general reproduction and development; insect and mite ecology; insect surveillance and population dynamics. Diversity of vertebrate and other invertebrate plant pests, biology, ecology. Effects and management of migratory and storage pests.
MCPR708 Advanced Pesticide Science and Insect Pest Management
Classification and diversity of pesticides Pesticide toxicity; pesticides and the environment; movement in plants; pesticide resistance causes, mechanisms and management; implications for pest management; use regulations and registration. Pesticide application technologies: nozzles, calibration of sprayers. Safe and effective use of pesticides. Quantitative basis of pest management, systems analysis and modelling. Pest threshold levels, cost of pest management, estimation of damage by insects, birds, diseases. Ecological basis of pest management. Management techniques cultural, physical, biological, genetic, host plant resistance, chemical, for specific insect pests and nematodes.
MCPR709 Agro-Climatology and Environmental Issues
Definition and concepts of agro-climatology. Economic significance and importance of weather; Introduction to agro-meteorology: greenhouse effect, energy budgets; Atmospheric moisture and precipitation; weather teleconnections, Global climatic change and variability and agriculture, vulnerability adaptation and mitigation. International conventions on climate Weather patterns over Zimbabwe. Extreme weather events and management. Use of weather data for irrigation scheduling. Weather effects on pest and disease incidence. Crop weather modelling. Environmental impact assessment, agricultural pollution.
MCPR710 Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management
Role of entrepreneurship in agricultural development and the economy. Theories of entrepreneurship. Processes of establishing a business. Sources of funding. Feasibility studies. Planning production and marketing of enterprise. Entrepreneurship and public policy. Characteristics, nature and problems of small agricultural ventures. Advantages and disadvantages of big versus small. Management techniques. The agribusiness finance function; financial statements. Financial analysis; financial control; cash budgeting; capital budgeting; credit management; financial planning and management; short–term financing; long term financing; capital markets. Mergers and acquisitions.
MCPR870 Dissertation
The dissertation provides an opportunity for the students to undertake and contribute to a piece of original research work, in an area related to crop science. The students are required to design an experiment (or investigation, survey or other means) to test a hypothesis or proposition, to plan and execute the research work, to evaluate the outcomes and draw valid conclusions. The research work is carried out individually, under guided supervision.