Plant Production & Protection (MSC)
Programme Overview
Agriculturists and horticulturalists around the world are faced with the challenge of increasing output without proportionate increases in the area of land under production. The goal is to increase both quantitative and qualitative yield from sustainable production systems that are compatible with the ecosystems in which they are established.
Who is this programme for?
At the end of this programme students should be able to:
▪ describe the physical and ecological features of different plant production systems.
▪ outline the various ecological interactions and cycles that occur in different plant production systems and their impact on the productivity and sustainability of these systems.
▪ conduct qualitative and quantitative assessments of the organisms and requisites in plant production systems.
▪ design and establish different plant production systems
▪ develop and implement various interventions and management strategies for the protection of plants.
▪ evaluate the impact of natural events and human activities on plant production and productivity.
▪ state factors to be considered during harvesting, storage and transport of produce.
▪ execute sound research and monitoring for providing solutions to problems related to plant production systems.
Programme Objectives
The M.Sc. in Plant Production and Protection will be beneficial to persons who are or intend to become involved in any aspect of plant production. Specific
target groups are:
▪ Agricultural and horticultural entrepreneurs;
▪ Farm, nursery, greenhouse, garden and forest managers or supervisors
▪ Extension officers;
▪ Agricultural and horticultural researchers;
▪ Suppliers of agricultural and horticultural inputs.
The programme is designed to further strengthen the foundation in plant production and protection, and will equip our graduates with the knowledge and skills to design, establish and manage different plant production systems.
Admission Requirements
B. Sc. honours degree in biological, agricultural or environmental sciences.
Programme Structure
The programme will be delivered using a variety of mechanisms including face-to-face lectures, seminars, tutorials, field visits and a research project. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility and control of their own learning.
Also included are scenario-based workshops, case studies and assignments in which group work and student-centred learning approaches will be used.
Another component is the research project in which students will be responsible for conducting and reporting on a research topic with the assistance of a supervisor who is an expert in the chosen area.
The M.Sc. in Plant Production and Protection is comprised of twelve (12) courses totalling 45 credits,taught over 5 semesters on a part-time basis. This
excludes time taken for examination of the final project.
- In Year 1, the course load will be 3 courses each Semester, totalling 18 credits.
- In Year 2, the course load will be 2 courses in Semester 1 (9 credits) and 3 courses in Semester 2 (9 credits).
Year 1
Semester 1
- Research Methods and Project Management
- Plant Propagation, Cropping Systems and Communities
- Principles of Phytopathology
Semester 2
- Agroecosystems and Soils
- Applied Insect Biology
- Plant Breeding
Year 2
Semester 1
- Harvesting and Postharvest Technology
- Plant Diseases: Biology, Ecology and Management
Semester 2
- Agroecosystems and Climate
- Weed Biology, Ecology and Management
- Ecology and Management of Arthropod Pests of Plants
Semester 3 (Summer Period)
- Research Project