Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with knowledge and skills to meet challenges facing agriculture and engage them in the initiatives aimed at solving problems facing agriculture in the country. A qualified learner will be able to:

• Use sustainable agricultural principles and practices in the agricultural environment and show an awareness of the social responsibility needed by citizens towards the environment.
• Provide leadership in general in the management of operations of agricultural sub-sectors.
• Solve problems affecting the agriculture sector using various skills and knowledge.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science is designed to provide learners with knowledge in agriculture and equip them with skills needed to meet the challenges facing agriculture. This qualification aims to engage learners in sustainable practices aimed at solving problems that evolve around agriculture. Agriculture is a major area for growth. It feeds the nation and has the possibility of reducing poverty; it covers a range of important areas, such as preserving our pastures and combating erosion and food and nutrition security. Qualified learners will contribute in advancing initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and household food security in the country and offer learners an opportunity to advance their studies by producing new knowledge. They will be employable in the agriculture industry, in the farming sector, in agri-business, government departments and Non Governmental Organisations involved in the Agricultural sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution's RPL policy will be followed in relation to the RPL of learners into the qualification. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and award credit that is aligned to the institution's qualification to promote lifelong learning. Therefore recognition may be granted for non-formal prior experiential learning.

The RPL process will be conducted according to the institution's RPL policy and may involve, among other things, the submission of portfolios with evidence of prior learning, examinations, and interviews with assessment panels. Certified copies of documents confirming the number of years, and nature of work experience will be required from the potential candidate, as well as certified copies of any qualifications obtained where applicable. Learners are required to complete 50% of a qualification at the certificating institution. Credits achieved through RPL must not exceed 50% of the total credits and must not include credits at the exit level. RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification.

Evidence of prior learning must be accessed through formally recognised RPL processes to recognise achievement thereof. Learners submitting themselves for RPL assessment should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of learning may be introduced if pertinent to any of the Exit Level Outcomes (ELOs).

RPL is used to grant admission to learners who do not met the minimum admission requirements and to grant credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with Bachelors' Degree admission.

Or

• Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4 passed with Bachelors' Degree admission.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, 7, and 8 totalling 480 Credits offered in three (3) optional streams, namely Agricultural Business and Management, Plant Science, and Animal Science.

Agricultural Business and Management Option, 480 Credits

NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Basic Biology, 12 Credits.
• Biology (Animal and Plant Diversity), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Economics (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Pre-calculus Mathematics A, 12 Credits.
• General Chemistry 1A, 12 Credits.
• General Chemistry 1B, 12 Credits.
• Chemistry Practical, 12 Credits.
• Economics 1A, 12 Credits.
• Introductory Financial Accounting, 12 Credits.
• Accounting Concepts, Principles and Procedures, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Introduction to Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Economics, 12 Credits.
• Economics 1B, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Production Economics (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agribusiness Management, 12 Credits.
• Farm Management, 12 Credits.
• Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods, 12 Credits.
• Extension Leadership and Group Dynamics, 12 Credits.
• Plant Production Systems (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Principles of Animal Nutrition (Theory), 12 Credits.

NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Agricultural Marketing and Risk Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Policy (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Agricultural and Rural Development (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Resource Economics (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Policy Analysis (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Rural Agricultural Finance (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Field Crop Production (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Extension Programme Planning and Evaluation (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Mini Project and Seminar, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 8, 120 Credits

• Research Proposal, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Market Analysis, 24 Credits.
• Agricultural Project Analysis 1B, 24 Credits.
• Agri-business Management, 24 Credits.
• Research Report, 36 Credits.

Plant Science Option, 480 Credits

NQF Level 5, 96 Credits

• Basic Biology, 12 Credits.
• Biology (Animal and Plant Diversity), 12 Credits.
• Plant Biodiversity and Environmental Botany, 12 Credits.
• Pre-calculus Mathematics A, 12 Credits.
• General Chemistry 1A, 12 Credits.
• General Chemistry 1B, 12 Credits.
• Chemistry Practical, 12 Credits.
• Elementary Mechanics, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 6, 144 Credits

• Biology Practical, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Plant Physiology, Water Relations and Plant Nutrition, 12 Credits.
• Plant Production Systems (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Soil Chemistry and Classification (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Irrigation and Water Management (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Introductory Biochemistry, 12 Credits.
• General Genetics 11 A (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Plant Protection (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Production Economics (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.

NQF Level 7, 132 Credits

• Plant Genetics and Biotechnology (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Fruit production (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Plant Physiology (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Field Crop Production (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Post Harvest Technology (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Vegetable Production, 12 Credits.
• Biometry, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Extension Programme Planning and Evaluation (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Rural Agricultural Finance (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Resource Economics (Theory), 12 Credits.

NQF Level 8, 120 Credits

• Research Proposal, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Plant Physiology, 24 Credits.
• Pomology and Olericulture, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Field Crop Production, 24 Credits.
• Research Report, 36 Credits.

Animal Science Option, 480 Credits

NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Basic Biology, 12 Credits.
• Biology (Animal and Plant Diversity), 12 Credits.
• Anatomy and Physiology (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Animal Science, 12 Credits.
• Linear Algebra, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Statistics, 12 Credits.
• General Chemistry 1A, 12 Credits.
• General Chemistry 1B, 12 Credits.
• Chemistry Practical, 12 Credits.
• Elementary Mechanics, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Advanced Animal Physiology, 12 Credits.
• Growth Physiology, 12 Credits.
• Principles of Animal Nutrition, 12 Credits.
• Bioenergetics, 12 Credits.
• Biochemistry 11 Practical, 12 Credits.
• Introductory Microbiology, 12 Credits.
• Microbiology 11- Practical, 12 Credits.
• General Genetics11A, (Theory) 12 Credits.
• General Genetics 11 B (Theory), 12 Credits.
• Introductory Biochemistry, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Applied Animal Nutrition (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Pasture Management (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Animal Breeding (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Rural Agricultural Finance, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Awareness, 12 Credits.
• Poultry Production (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Pig Production (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Dairy Production (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Small Stock Production (Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
• Beef Production, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 8, 120 Credits

• Research Proposal, 12 Credits.
• Animal Production Physiology, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Animal Breeding, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Animal Nutrition, 24 Credits.
• Research Report, 36 Credits.

1. Use sustainable agricultural principles and practices in the agricultural environment and show an awareness of the need for social responsibility towards the environment.
2. Provide leadership in general in the management of operations in an agricultural sub-sector.
3. Solve problems affecting the agriculture sector own skills and knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A sound knowledge of the theoretical background in core aspects of Agricultural Sciences is demonstrated.
• Conceptual knowledge of the principles, concepts, terminology and theories in the field of study are demonstrated.
• Knowledge of the inter-disciplinary relationships within Agricultural Sciences is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Skills required for the operation and application of a range of agricultural and scientific equipment, operations and techniques are applied.
• Various production and management problems in Agricultural Science or within agricultural systems are identified and solved in a sustainable manner, using the appropriate methods.
• Entrepreneurial skills are applied to identify and explore the commercial potential.
• A high level of ethical conduct is shown when engaging with stakeholders, specifically when assessing, processing, producing and communicating information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Problems are identified, analysed and addressed systematically based on theory and own practical skills.
• Research is undertaken and reports are written.
• Information is correlated and integrated and concepts are learnt in a range of areas and valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems are proposed.

Integrated Assessment

For the qualification to be awarded, a learner must have successfully achieved the exit level outcomes of the qualification.

Comprehensive and integrated assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments) is needed as evidence of applied competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) for the learner to be able to achieve the qualification as a whole. Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written assignments and exams, and the supervision of a research project.

Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institution's Assessment Policy. The learner's summative assessment mark will comprise a year mark that will be gained from the specified number of compulsory assignments and a written examination in each module.

Assessors will assess and give credit for evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

Lecturers responsible for the module and external markers (assessors) will act as Assessor Practitioners in accordance with the institution Assessment Policy. Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institution Assessment Policy. Learner support will be provided in accordance with institution Open Distance Learning (ODL) and Learner Support policies and guidelines.