Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Animal and Wildlife Science (HAWS)

Programme Overview

To promote the productive and sustainable management of livestock and wildlife resources and in so doing contribute towards sustainable food security, self-reliance and overall wellbeing of the entire Zimbabwean population and SADC region.

Entry Requirements

Normal Entry 

These will normally be as specified in the Faculty Regulations

Five ‘O‘ level subjects including Science, Maths, English 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.

Special Entry

For special entry, students with outstanding passes in a diploma with a livestock or wildlife bias can be admitted.

Mature Entry

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Regulations.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Employability : In the private sector – consultants and specialists.

In government – extension and research officers and consultants.

In academic institutions – lecturers and consultants.

Self-employment – farmers and consultants.

Further Studies: Students can also further their studies in the following fields: Animal Nutrition, Animal Breeding, Animal Health, Wildlife Ecology, Biotechnology and Natural Resources Management.

 

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 134 Principles of Ecology 12

AGRO131 Plant Biology and Physiology 12

LWR 135 Introduction to Soil Science             12

HAWS 133 Introduction to Microbiology 12

Level 1 Semester 2

Code Module Description Prerequisite       Credits

AGPR 132 Agricultural Practice 2 AGPR131 6

AGRO 132 Introduction to Genetics                 12

AGRO 136 Introduction to Statistics           12

HAWS 135 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology           12

HAWS 136 Principles of Wildlife Management               HAWS 134 12

HAWS 132 Introduction to Biochemistry AGRO135 12

HAWS 131 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals 12

Level 2 Semester 1

Code Module Description Prerequisite       Credits

GS 231 Gender Studies 12

HAWS 231 Statistical Methods and Experimental Designs AGRO 136 12

ENT 235 Entrepreneurship             12

HAWS 232 Animal Breeding and Reproductive Technologies     AGRO 132 12

HAWS 233 Grassland Science 12

HAWS 234 Wildlife Nutrition HAWS136 12

Level 2 Semester 2

Code Module Description Prerequisite     Credits

HAWS 235 Animal Health and Welfare   HAWS 133, HAWS135 12

HAWS 236 Animal Nutrition HAWS 132, HAWS234 12

HAWS 237 Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing 12

HAWS 238 Natural Resources Management HAWS134 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 431 Rangeland Ecology and Management HAWS233 12

HAWS 432 Beef, Goats and Sheep Production HAWS 232, HAWS 233, HAWS 231, HAWS 236         12 

HAWS 433 Biotechnology in Animal Science HAWS 132, HAWS 232 12

HAWS 434 Pig and Poultry Production HAWS 232, HAWS 231, HAWS 236 12

HAWS 435 Intensive Wildlife Production HAWS 136, HAWS 131 HAWS 234 12

HAWS 436 Applied Terrestrial Ecology HAWS134 12

Optional Module

HAWS 437 Vertebrate Faunas of Zimbabwe HAWS134 12

Level 4 Semester 2

Code Module Description Prerequisite     Credits

HAWS 438 Animal Products Processing HAWS 131, HAWS 132 12

HAWS 439 Research Project AGRO 134, HAWS231 24

HAWS 440 Dairy Production     HAWS 236, HAWS 233, HAWS 231, HAWS 232        12

HAWS 441 Wildlife Resources Management                 HAWS 131             12

HAWS 442 Applied Aquatic Ecology                             HAWS134 12

Optional Module

AGED 439 Agricultural Extension 12

MODULE SYNOPSES

AGPR101 Practices 1

This module gives first-year students in the field of Agriculture, a broad understanding of the fundamental entrepreneurial skills essential in starting a farming business, screening of opportunities, developing a business concept and translating ideas into business opportunities. The module will also cover certain animal production enterprise such as ruminant production systems (beef, dairy, small ruminants);non-ruminant production systems (broilers, layers, piggery and rabbitry) and intensive wildlife management enterprises.. A field trip to an animal farm shall take place during each semester.

CS131 Basic Communication Skills

The module is aimed at assisting students to achieve full academic potential through equipping them with the necessary communication skills essential for their degree studies. 

HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology

Introduction: uses of information technology, computer hardware and software. Data processing, computer networks and internet, network typologies, the internet, uses of the internet, E-business, word processors and spread sheets, information systems, security and ethical challenges in Information Technology.

HAWS 131 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals

Types of anatomy, general anatomy of organs and systems, 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 monogastrics and ruminants, 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; Digestion in ruminants and monogastric animals, rumen function; Physiology of kidneys: the nephron, rennin-angiotensin systems, acid base balance; Reproductive physiology of the male and female – foetal development of the gonads, puberty, folliculogenesis and mammary gland, milk secretion and composition, lactation cycle; Characteristics and functions of the nervous systems.

HAWS 102 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 103 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.

HAWS 134 Principles of Ecology

Definitions and examples of ecological parameters. Hierarchy of organisation (molecular – biosphere). Population and community ecology – structure and development in relation to environmental factors, interaction, e.g. competition and other biotic factors Agricultural ecosystems, evolution, succession and climax. Stability and productivity of ecosystems. Major ecosystem types of the world.

AGPR132 Agricultural Practices 2

In addition to entrepreneurial skills learnt in AGPR101, students shall learn to finance a farming business, do cash flow budgets and apply for a successful bank loan. Production enterprises shall include the production of maize, wheat, leafy vegetables, onions, tomatoes, field beans, tobacco, cotton, soyabean, citrus, mango and banana. Students shall also be exposed to the production of major flowers e.g. carnations and roses. Students shall be exposed to aspects of marketing, human resources, pricing, government policies and taxation. Students shall visit a crop production farm during each semester.

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 *environment interaction, phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations.

AGRO 136 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.

LWR 135 Introduction to Soil Science

Refer to the Department of Land and Water Resources Management.

HAWS 136 Principles of Wildlife Management

Important wildlife definitions- wildlife management, conservation, game ranching etc. Wildlife management compared to adaptive management. Zoogeography and factors affecting animal distributions. Wildlife values and perceptions. Wildlife biology: reproduction, fecundity, natality, recruitment, biotic potential, sex relations, density dependent mortality, starvation and malnutrition, predation and disease, nutrition, nutritional strategy, feeding habits and preference, water requirements. Wildlife behaviour and environmental physiology. Wildlife research and role in management

AGRO 101 Plant Biology and Physiology

Refer to the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.

GS231 Gender Studies

The module empowers the students with knowledge and skills that enable them to be gender sensitive in the university, workplace and in all their social interactions. Topics covered include, Understanding Gender, Theories of Gender Inequalities, Historical Development of Gender, Gender Analysis, and Gender Issues in Zimbabwe, Redressing Gender Imbalances, Empowerment and Strategies for creating a gender responsive environment.  Every student has to pass the module in order to graduate.

HAWS 231 Statistical Methods and Experimental Designs

Module will introduce students to 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.

ENT 131 Entrepreneurship 

The module looks at business development, barriers encountered and issues related to marketing, human resources management, pricing, government policies, taxation of businesses. Case studies, visits to business premises and presentations by entrepreneurs will be used to understand the running of small business. The preparation of business plans will also be covered.

HAWS 232 Animal Breeding and Reproductive Technologies

Breeding programmes; selection objectives, animal model evaluations, multiple trait selection; prediction of breeding values, selection response; mating systems; traits of economic importance in livestock, genetic diversity in animal populations, marker assisted selection and genomic selection. Mating systems: random mating, positive and negative assortative mating. Breeding Systems: crossbreeding. Inbreeding, line breeding. Principles and practice in nucleus breeding schemes; records and data processing, computer applications in animal breeding. Biotechnology and animal improvement: Synchronization of oestrus, AI, MOET, sperm sexing, embryo sexing, Blood typing and DNA mapping, Cryopreservation, cloning, transgenic animals. Practical interaction in livestock improvement units/schemes.

HAWS 233 Grassland Science

Forage plants: – Morphology and identification of species, growth physiology and defoliation effects, Herbage quality. Principles of planted pasture production, Pasture management and productivity, Veld Management, Fodder crops, Fodder conservation, Forages in communal area, Fodder flows

HAWS 234 Wildlife Nutrition

Physiology and fermentation, the role of secondary chemicals and toxins in plants, measures against toxic plants and symptoms of poisoning; energy balance, mineral shortages, supplementary feeding and nutritional requirements of animals; diseases associated with poor nutrition

HAWS 235 Animal Health and Welfare

Veterinary methods and techniques in the care and treatment of injured, sick and vulnerable animals. Immunology: types of immunity; origin, development and functions of the leucocytes, the primary and secondary immune responses; theory of vaccination. Antibiotics; types and mechanisms of action. Causes of disease, transmission, host specificity, host response and defence, evasion of immunity, diagnostic methods, disease prevention and control with reference to common viral, bacterial, rickettsial, protozoal, fungal diseases and endo/ecto-parasitism of livestock common in the in the tropical environment. Environmental influences on disease incidence and spread of disease. Statutory regulations and the movement of animals and trade in animal products. Importance of animal welfare; Marketing; Animal handling; Role of wildlife and humans in disease dynamics; Knowledge of the National, Regional and International legislation and rules in livestock production.

HAWS 236 Animal Nutrition

Classification and chemical value of animal feeds, dry forage and roughages, pastures, range plants, silages, energy contribution fees, protein supplementary feed, minerals and vitamin supplements, and 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 animal feeds industry legislation, improving forage feed value; Digestibility will feedstuffs; Biochemical theories of voluntary feed intake; Kinetics of digestion and passage ; and Metabolic functions and roles of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

HAWS 237 Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing

Introduction to GIS; Software and Hardware: GIS Applications; Sources of GIS data; Global Positioning Systems; Introduction to Remote Sensing; Imagery and Photogrammetry; GIS Acquisition and Platforms; Electromagnetic spectrum; Spectral signatures/patterns of objects: water, soil, vegetation; Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); Raster and Vector; GIS Data Input; Digitizing; Data quality; Data Output; Geo-databases; Usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) Technologies in Cartography; Map projections; Geo-processing; Data queries; Spatial Data analysis; and Cartographic modelling.

HAWS 238 Natural Resources Management 

Ecological concepts and sustainable use of natural resources; Concepts and principles of renewable and non-renewal resources; Management of resources: degradation of resources, depletion of resources, types of natural resources; Policies in Natural Resources Management; Appraisal of the relationship between resources, ecology and the environment; Management of heritage resources: land, water, animals and vegetation, cultural and related gene banks; Cultural property: Tangible and intangible attributes; and Identification, preservation and safeguarding of Zimbabwean values (ubuntu/hunhu) and heritage in its diverse forms.

AGPR 331 Work-Related Learning

This module assesses the reports submitted by the student during the time he is learning at the workplace in relation to the degree program.

AGPR 332 Academic Supervisors Report

This module is based on the academic’s field visits to the employers and assesses the effectiveness of the student in the work environment.

AGPR 333 Employer’s Assessment Report

This module assesses the role of the student in the work environment based on the employer’s assessment of the student.

HAWS 431 Rangeland Ecology and Management

Forage plants: – Morphology and identification of species, growth physiology and defoliation effects, nutritive attributes and habitat description. Animal foraging behaviour. Grazing management terminology. Herbage quality, productivity and animal performance in tropical grasslands. Veld types; vegetation, productivity, and nutritive value. Basic veld ecology: Principles of grazing management: – Grass and legume forage/pasture species:- Grassland research methods: Beef herd dynamics, herd composition, separation of herds, productivity in terms of growth rate or milk production etc , reproductive performance, target market age and weight, and the cost of supplementary feeding. Veld management planning; Economic and ecological comparison of single versus multi-use options. Planning of communal area grazing systems:- The grazing schemes concept versus alternative grazing management. Veld reinforcement. Veld rehabilitation.

HAWS 432 Beef Cattle, Goat and Sheep Production

The beef industry in Zimbabwe. Beef breeds and their characterization. Principles of beef production: Handling facilities, routine management tools and practices, health, reproduction, breeding, nutrition and grazing management. The beef management calendar. Beef herd dynamics, factors guiding choice of production policy. Beef Production systems. Pen and off-veld finishing systems. Transport and marketing of cattle. Meat quality, carcass grading and the economics of beef production. Practical interaction in beef enterprises. Characterisation of small ruminant breeds. Contribution to livestock industry. Reproduction, breeding, nutrition management. Handling facilities and routine management tools and activities. Production systems. Constraints and opportunities. Review of small ruminant research in Zimbabwe. Grading and processing of small ruminant products. Economics of small stock production. Practical interaction in production enterprises.

HAWS 433 Biotechnology in Animal Science

Methods in Biotechnology- traditional and modern: Ethical issues or Biopolitics. Module will also cover application of the latest and emergent options in animal science and improvement ie in animal health, breeding for resistance/ tolerance, nutrition, drug production, gene therapy recombinant DNA technology and other examples. Biosafety and legislation. 

HAWS 434 Pig and Poultry Production

Biology of the Chicken; Breeds & their origin, Reproductive Physiology, Respiratory Physiology. Poultry production systems. Principles of poultry production in Broiler, Layer, Breeder stock management; Routine management practices, tools and equipment, Housing and environmental management, Factors affecting, and the management for reproductive efficiency in layers and breeder stock, Applied Breeding, Applied Nutrition, Poultry Health. Practical interaction in meat, egg, and breeding enterprises. Characterization of pig breeds. Pig production systems, and production options. Reproduction, health, breeding and nutritional management. Handling facilities, routine management tools and practices. Carcass quality, grading and marketing. Economics of pig production. Practical interaction in pig production enterprises.

HAWS 435 Intensive Wildlife Production Systems

Intensive apiculture; the biology of bees, apiculture equipment, harvesting, processing, yield, by-products and marketing. Ostrich farming; handling facilities, nutrition, disease, reproduction, egg collection and hatchery management, ostrich products and marketing. Fish farming; the biology of fish in the pond, large fresh water bodies, and controlled environments, transport of live fish. Pond management; construction, fertilisation, weed control, stocking and predator control. Fish harvesting; growth cycles, netting. Principle and practice of fish production in artificially controlled environment systems. Principle and practice in integrated beef-wildlife systems. Crocodile farming- setting up farm, crocodile biological characteristics, reproduction, management, collection and incubation, types of incubators, sex determination during incubation, hatching, care for hatchlings, dietary needs, diseases, skinning, grading and preserving. Processing products.

HAWS 436 Applied Terrestrial Ecology

Adaptive management of wildlife. The influence of body size of large mammal ecology. Foraging Theory. Optimal Foraging: population regulation, survival and extinction of a species, conservation strategies, case studies, determinants of community structure, large mammal biomass, density, carrying capacity and culling, census method, wildlife utilisation.

HAWS 437 Vertebrate Faunas of Zimbabwe

Vertebrate fauna of Zimbabwe and Africa. Description, composition, distribution, biological characteristics, ecology and conservation significance. Special attention to those groups that illustrate evolutionary principles. Primate evolution and conservation. 

HAWS 438 Animal Products Processing

Food borne diseases, with reference to handling of meat, eggs, milk and milk products, fish, and water.  Water quality and processing.  Milk; handling, quality, processing: pasteurisation, sterilisation, microbiology of sour milk production, yoghurt and cheese making, skimmed milk and butter making.  Meat science; processing physiology, composition and other qualitative factors.  Hides; quality, pre-treatment, tanning.  Wool, mohair, cashmere, feathers; quality and processing products. Other minor animal products.

HAWS 439 Research Project

Explore research issues, research area selection, 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 440 Dairy Production

Economic importance of dairy industries in Zimbabwe and globally; Objectives of dairy enterprises; Breeds and types of cattle; Production systems; Factors limiting production; Breeding, genetic improvement of dairy cattle, breeding systems-crossbreeding, role of artificial insemination and other reproductive techniques; Reproductive management–bull, cow, heifer and calf rearing feeding and feeding systems; Milking management (dairy cattle only); Disease control, herd health and routine management operations; Marketing of live animals and products; Labour and financial management of operations, and economics of production.

HAWS 441 Wildlife Resources Management

Wildlife Values. Consumptive and non-consumptive exploitation of wildlife. Ecological and zoological principles in game park management with emphasis on environmental protection, assessment of animal impact, impact of ecotourism, harvest intensity and conservation of biodiversity in wildlife species. Case studies on environmental degradation and rehabilitation strategies, on endangered species and strategies of restoration. An analysis of national and international statutory instruments guiding the sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources. Studies on the impact of sustainable use initiatives in Zimbabwe and the Southern African region; Campfire, Intensive Protection Zones, The Conservancy Concept and Cattle-wildlife integrated or multi-use systems, Trans-frontier Parks.

HAWS 442 Applied Aquatic Ecology

Introduction to limnology, hydrological cycle and nature or aquatic environments physical and chemical properties of water in streams and lakes. Nature and function of communities, benthos, plankton, epiphytes, macrophytes and fish, invasive drainage and siltation, fishing and exploitation. Effect of men on systems – pollution eutrophication, exploitation.

AGED 439 Agricultural Extension

Refer to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Development