Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Dairy Sciences (HDS)
Programme Overview
To promote the productive and sustainable management of livestock 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 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.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
12.1 The degree programme shall have at least 36 taught modules spread over the six teaching semesters.
Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Credits
AGPR 131 Agricultural Practice 1 6
HAWS 137 Animals in Society 12
HSC 135 Introduction to Information Technology 12
HAWS 134 Principles of Ecology 12
AGRO131 Plant Biology and Physiology HAWS132 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 134 Introduction to Statistics 12
HAWS 135 Introduction to Entomology and Parasitology 12
HAWS 138 Animal Reproduction 12
HAWS 132 Introduction to Biochemistry 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 134 12
ENT 235 Entrepreneurship 12
HAWS 232 Animal Breeding and Reproductive Technologies AGRO 132 12
HAWS 233 Grassland and Pasture Science 12
Level 2 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisite Credits
HAWS 235 Animal Health and Welfare HAWS 133, HAWS133 12
HAWS 236 Animal Nutrition HAWS 132 12
HAWS 239 Applied Cattle Nutrition 12
HAWS 240 Physiology of Lactation 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 443 Replacement Animal Rearing and Management 12
HAWS 433 Biotechnology in Animal Science HAWS 132, HAWS 232 12
HAWS 444 Intensive Dairy Production 12
HAWS 445 Dairy Effluent Management 12
HAWS 446 Dairy Products Value Addition 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 447 Applied Dairy Cattle Genetics 12
HAWS 448 Dairy Milking Machine Management 12
HAWS 449 Dairy Enterprise Management 6
MODULE SYNOPSIS
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 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.
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.
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 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.
LWR 135 Introduction to Soil Science
Refer to the Department of Land and Water Resources Management.
AGRO 131 Plant Biology and Physiology
Refer to the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.
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.
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 and Pasture 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 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 tropiucal 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).u
HAWS 239 Applied Dairy Cattle Nutrition
Application of basic principles of nutrition in developing rations for dairy herds. Emphasis placed on the appropriate use of forages, ration formulation techniques, development of profitable rations. Development, function and use of dairy nutritional information systems for dairy feeding.
HAWS 148 Dairy Chemistry
Recent advances in the area of the chemistry of milk constituents. Bioactive role of milk constituents in relation to dairy ingredients. New analytical techniques particularly rapid test kits and bio sensors.
Physiology of Lactation
Industrial Attachment
This module assesses the reports submitted by the student during the time he is learning at the workplace in relation to the degree program.This module is based on the academic’s field visits to the employers and assesses the effectiveness of the student in the work environment. 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 446 Dairy Products Value Addition
Process scheduling of heat dessicated, coagulated and fermented traditional dairy products. Process improvement in production of milk sweets. New products based on fruits, vegetables and cereals. Application of membrane technologies and microwave heating for industrial production of dairy products. Convenience treatment of dairy products, use of natural and permitted synthetic preservatives and new packaging systems.
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 240 Physiology of Lactation
Anatomy and physiology of the mammary gland and lactation in dairy cattle. Mammary gland health and factors affecting lactation. Principles and techniques in dairy herd milking management. Immunology as related to the diseases of the mammary gland, concepts of the mammary gland immunity, disease etiology, immunopathology, diagnosis and therapy.
HAWS 443 Replacement Animal Rearing and Management
The art and science of calf rearing, feeding and health. Weaning, weighing and selection of replacement heifers. Various feeding programs and computerized feed formulation programs for calves as well as growing heifers. Milk weaning rations, weighing, and grouping of heifers. Various housing designs for calves and heifers.
HAWS 445 Dairy Effluent Management
Advanced technologies for dairy effluent treatment on farms I.e chemical and biological treatment. Effluent management guidelines, design of dairy shed effluent management systems and their operation. On farm benefits of good effluent management, maintenance of environmental values of surface and ground waters including their ecology by minimizing the discharges of effluents. Effective recycling and reuse of effluent where possible.
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 444 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 449 Dairy Enterprise Management
Decision strategies for modern dairy businesses. Emphasis on relationships of enterprises and technologies for evaluation of business alternatives, efficiency of production and profit. Use of computer software to support management decisions. Concentration on herd replacement, personnel, facilities and issue of management associated with rapidly changing national and international markets. Environmental regulations and computer applications. Group projects and hands on management of dairy cattle.
HAWS 447 Applied Dairy Cattle Genetics
Application of basic principles of genetics to dairy cattle improvement. Setting goals for genetic improvement, characteristics of traits included in selection, methods of estimation of breeding values, Role of Artificial Insemination and Breed Association s in genetic improvement of dairy cattle
HAWS 448 Dairy Milking Machine Management
Types and designs of milking palours and milking machines. Installation and assembly of milking machines and associated units. Development and function of computerized dairy milking systems. Clean milk production, servicing and part replacement of vacuum pumps and main lines. Maintenance of bulk tanks, inter cooling and refrigeration systems.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employability: ● In the private sector – consultants and specialists, farm managers
and AI technicians, Allied agribusiness industries, Public relations.
- In government – extension and research officers, consultants and Dairy inspectors.
- In academic institutions – lecturers and consultants, agric communications.
- Self-employment – farmers and consultants.
Further Studies: Students can also further their studies in the following fields: Dairy Nutrition, Dairy Breeding, Animal Health, Dairy farm management, Biotechnology and Natural Resources Management.