Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture

The purpose of the qualification is

1 to consolidate and deepen what has been learned in the first degree or qualification and to undertake advanced study in a chosen field of specialisation;

2 to provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in a specific field of agricultural sciences to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society;

3 to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates able to undertake independent research through the acquisition of the necessary research skills and tools in specific fields of agricultural sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity;

1. to stimulate and prepare learners for further academic study and research by the provision of the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as agricultural researchers on the highest academic level and

5 to provide South Africa with well equipped professional agricultural scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of agricultural sciences and of their responsibilities to provide food and fibre in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way .

BSc Agric or other suitable qualification approved by Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and/or proof of competency may be required.

B sc with appropriate majors or qualification approved by Senate for this purpose; supplementary studies maybe required

Candidates must obtain an average of 60% in the final year of the B Sc Agric or other suitable qualification

Critical cross-field outcomes

The BSc Agric Hons graduate will have demonstrated the following outcomes

a) Identifying and solving problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking in a chosen area of specialisation have been made.

b) Have an understanding of the principles and concepts underpinning the field of study and of its boundaries and limitations.

c) Possess knowledge of advanced investigative methods.

d) Have an overview of recent, relevant and cutting-edge research in the chosen field.

e) Be familiar with the opportunities, challenges, demands and code of conduct of the profession associated with the field of specialisation.

f) Working effectively with others as a member of a group, organisation and community.

g) Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

h) Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.

i) Communicating effectively using visual, numerical/mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.

j) Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and and public health

k) Have an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

l) Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

1. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
2. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
3. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
4. Exploring education and career opportunities; and
5. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

General outcomes

The BSc Agric Hons will have demonstrated the following general outcomes

a) Have a sound and deep understanding of the theoretical background in one aspect of the agricultural t sciences by being able to analyse, re-arrange, synthesise and evaluate a wide range of information.

b) Able to operate a range of scientific equipment and to use appropriate techniques and experimental approaches and plan and conduct basic research

c) Have the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve new theoretical and practical problems by arguing critically and convincingly.

d) The ability to read and interpret scientific literature including the ability to teach themselves from source material.

e) Have an understanding of the interdisciplinary relationships within the agricultural sciences

f) Be aware of the social responsibility towards the environment

g) Possession of the basic entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the commercial potential, including a knowledge of opportunities available in the agro-commercial environment.

h) An understanding of the importance of using sound experimental controls and statistical methods

i) An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations

j) Advanced skills, indicting sound theoretical judgement and evaluations, in the presentation of scientific reports (both written and verbal), including use of information technology as an aid to effective communication skills.

The graduate will thus have demonstrated the acquisition of a detailed general and scientific background of great depth and latitude to enable the graduate to practise as a competent scientist.

Specific outcomes

In addition to the outcomes listed in 3.1 and 3.2 the specific outcomes of the four programmes (see 10.) which the BSc Agric Hons graduate will have are the following:

1. Crop Production Systems

Successful completion of an advanced study in a specialised field (crop production, crop breeding, crop protection, soil and water management) in one of the majors of the Bsc Agric degree (Agronomy, Entomology, Genetics (Plant breeding) , Soil and Agricultural Water Management, Horticulture, Nematology, Plant Pathology and Viticulture) via the completion of various assignments and research projects which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.

2. . Animal production Systems

Successfully completed an advanced study in nutrition of animals, animal husbandry or animal products in conjunction with advanced aspects of management and production of cattle, sheep, pigs or poultry via the completion of various assignments and research projects which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.

3. Food and Beverage Production Systems

Successfully completed an advanced study in the specialised fields of oenology or wine biotechnology, including wine yeasts, wine-based beverages, fermentation, chemistry of vines, grapes and wine, techniques for wine biotechnology, enzymes, grape cultivars and the vine via the completion of various assignments and research projects which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.

4. Agricultural Economics and Management

Successfully completed an advanced study to establish high level proficiency in the use of agricultural economic and management techniques, including the analysis of the limitations and potential of the agricultural sector, amongst intending analysts and management experts in enterprises in the private or public sector involved in the agricultural spheres as well as the ability to identify and solve problems in chosen fields of agriculture and associated sectors.

The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

a A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, workplace assessment, written and oral examinations are used

b The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess the specified outcomes have been achieved

c The assessment of parts generalizing to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability

The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 7

The criterion used to assess outcomes is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid.

Competence in outcome will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.

To demonstrate competence in outcomes a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions

The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and structural organisation of presentations

The assessment used for the BSc Agric Hons ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment takes places in terms of a variety of procedures, such as assignments, oral and written presentations, work place assessment, written and oral examinations. Oral examinations are used to determine the students ability to integrate the work done in the various modules and disciplines of the programme

The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, work-place assessments, written and oral examinations are used.

b) The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

c) The assessment of parts generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability.

The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 7.

The criterion used to assess outcomes is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid.

Competence in outcome will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.

To demonstrate competence in outcomes a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.

The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations.

The assessment used for the BscAgric Hons ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, work-place assessments, written and oral examinations are used.

b) The required range of modalities is used interactively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

c) The assessment of parts generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability.

The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 7.

The criterion used to assess outcomes

a) And b) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid.

Competence in outcome will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.

To demonstrate competence in outcomes a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.

The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations.

The assessment used for the Bagric Admin Hons ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

Integrated assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures, such as assignments, simulations, oral and written presentations, tests and examinations. Oral assessments are used to determine the student's ability to communicate acquired skills in an integrated and professional manner.

The purpose of the qualification is

1 to consolidate and deepen what has been learned in the first degree or qualification and to undertake advanced study in a chosen field of specialisation.

2 to provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in a specific field of agricultural sciences to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society;

3to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates able to undertake independent research through the acquisition of the necessary research skills and tools in specific fields of agricultural sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity;

1. To stimulate and prepare learners for further academic study and research by the provision of the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as agricultural researchers on the highest academic level and;

5 to provide South Africa with well equipped professional agricultural scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of agricultural sciences and of their responsibilities to provide food and fibre in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

Integrated assessment

Integrated assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures, such as assignments, oral and written presentations, work-place assessment, written and oral examinations. Oral examinations are used to determine the student's ability to integrate the work done in the various modules and disciplines of the programme.