Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to educate and train scientists who, through research and practically orientated development, can promote agricultural science. After successfully completing the qualification, the leaner will have attained skills such as problem identification, aim formulation, collecting and verification of data, systematisation and interpretation of data, effective communication of information and making sensible scientific recommendations. The graduates of this qualification will be able to apply and engage with the fundamental principles acquired within the field of agricultural science. In addition, this qualification offers leaners the opportunity to major within specific fields of agriculture and applied agriculture.

The qualification aims to educate and train leaners that attain theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the Agricultural Sciences. These leaners can apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to practical agricultural professions as well as progressing to postgraduate study. They are equipped with the required skills and expertise to contribute to the expansion of the Agricultural sector in the broad, but specifically in business and industry, responding to the needs of the community, developing the public sector and understanding the dynamics of trade unions.

This qualification has been developed to create opportunities for leaners to register with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. It further develops trained agricultural specialists with the ability to effectively progress into the professional or research environments.

Rationale

This qualification equips leaners with a broad scientific knowledge base, specialising in the field of Agriculture. It aims to educate and train leaners that have a theoretical and practical knowledge base, enabling them to either continue with postgraduate studies or enter a profession within the Agricultural sector.

The qualification is designed in consultation with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. Leaners obtaining this qualification may register with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions if they meet all the specific requirements in terms of the discipline.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.

The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree study
• Senior Certificate with matriculation endorsement (matriculation exemption).

Or.

• An equivalent qualification.

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 512 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5 120 Credits

• Computer Literacy II (CSIL1521), 4 Credits.
• Economic Management of Resources (AGEC1514), 16 Credits.
• Basic Computer Literacy (CSIL1511), 4 Credits.
• Introduction to Biology Biochemistry (BLGY1513), 12 Credits.
• Akademiese Geletterdheid in Afrikaans (AGAN1508), 32 Credits.
• Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry (Mainstream) (CHEM1514), 16 Credits.
• Mechanics, Optics and Electricity (PHYS1514), 16 Credits.
• Calculus (MATM1534), 16 Credits.
• Academic Literacy in English (EALN1408), 32 Credits.
• Agricultural finances (AGEC1524), 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6 120 Credits

• Introduction to animal, wildlife and grassland sciences (ANIG1624), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Genetics (BLGY1623), 12 Credit.
• Introduction to Zoology and Entomology (BLGY1663), 12 Credits.
• Biology (BLGY1683), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Statistics (STSB1624), 16 Credits.
• Physical and Organic Chemistry (Mainstream) (CHEM1624), 16 Credits.
• Calculus (MATM1614), 16 Credits.
• Physical and Organic Chemistry (CHEM1644), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to soil, crop and climate sciences (SCCS1624), 16 Credits.
• The interdependence of plants and life on earth (BLGY1643), 12 Credits.
• Applied principles of plant breeding (PLTB2623), 12 Credits.
• Soil classification, evaluation, and land use planning (SOIL2614), 16 Credits.
• The basic principles of Microbiology (MCBP2616), 24 Credits.
• Introductory ruminant production (ANIG2614), 16 Credit.
• Theoretical principles of plant breeding (PLTB2613), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to animal and plant breeding (ANIB2624), 16 Credits.
• Sustainable soil and water management (SOIL2624), 16 Credits.
• Farm planning and management (AGEC2614), 16 Credits.
• Microbial evolution and diversity (MCBE2626), 24 Credits.
• Introductory Monogastric Production (ANIG2624), 16 Credits.
• Engineering principles in agricultural practices (AGEG2624), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to agricultural marketing (AGEC2624), 16 Credits.
• Principles of Plant Pathology (PPLG2624), 16 Credits.
• Enzymology and introductory metabolism (BOCE2626), 24 Credits.
• Agrometeorology for farming systems (CLIM2624), 16 Credits.
• Winter grain, industrial and diverse crops (CROP2624), 16 Credits.
• Industrial quality management (IQMQ2622), 8 Credits.
• Introductory plant development and biotechnology (BTNY2626), 24 Credits.
• Grassland Ecology (GRAS2614), 16 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry (CHEM2624), 16 Credits.
• Biochemistry of biological compounds (BOCB2616), 24 Credits.
• Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM2642), 16 Credits.
• Plant adaptations for survival on land (BTNY2616), 24 Credits.
• Ecophysiology of Insects (ENTO2626), 24 Credits.
• Chemical analysis of food (FSCC2622), 8 Credits.
• Introductory Food Science (FSCI2612), 8 Credits.
• Food Systems (FSCS2624), 16 Credits.
• Food Chemistry (FSCC2612), 8 Credits.
• Functional Morphology and Anatomy, Classification and Identification and Evolutionary Biology of Insects (ENTO2616), 24 Credits.
• Concepts in crop production (CROP2614), 16 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Agrometeorology (CLIM2614), 16 Credits.
• Statistical analyses (DATA3722), 8 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7 120 Credits

• Hydraulics (AGEG3714), 16 Credits.
• Food Engineering (FSCE3714), 16 Credits.
• Analytical Chemistry (CHEM3714), 16 Credits.
• Intensive pasture production (GRAS3724), 16 Credits.
• Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM3724), 16 Credits.
• Agribusiness management (AGEC3734), 16 Credits.
• Food products from animals (FSCA3714), 16 Credits.
• Advanced enzyme kinetics and metabolism (BOCE3714), 16 Credits.
• Protein and proteome analysis (BOCP3724), 16 Credits.
• Resource economics (AGEC3724), 16 Credits.
• Animal anatomy and physiology of farm animals (ANIP3714), 16 Credits.
• Animal Health (ANIP3724), 16 Credits.
• Fundamental and experimental animal nutrition (ANIN3734), 16 Credits.
• New technologies in animal breeding (ANIB3724), 16 Credits.
• Agricultural policy and development (AGEC3744), 16 Credits.
• Sheep and goat production systems (ANIG3724), 16 Credits.
• Managerial economics (AGEC3714), 16 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry (CHEM3744), 16 Credits.
• Cattle production systems (ANIG3714), 16 Credits.
• Physical Chemistry (CHEM3734), 16 Credits.
• Theory of animal breeding (ANIB3714), 16 Credits.
• Food Microbiology (FSCB3724), 16 Credits.
• Cell membranes, signal transduction and immunology (BOCS3724), 16 Credits.
• Properties of feeds, balancing rations and fodder flow planning (ANIN374), 16 Credits.
• Agricultural Entomology (ENTO3754), 16 Credits.
• Plant molecular biotechnology (BTNY3754), 16 Credits.
• Breeding for abiotic stress tolerance (PLTB3724), 16 Credits.
• Summer grain, oil and protein-rich crops (CROP3714), 16 Credits.
• Applied Insect Pest Management (ENTO3724), 16 Credits.
• Climate data analysis for agrometeorological services (CLIM3714), 16 Credits.
• Mycological plant pathology (PPLG3714), 16 Credits.
• Advanced Insect Ecology (ENTO3714), 16 Credits.
• Plant disease management (PPLG3724), 16 Credits.
• Molecular biology (BOCM3714), 16 Credits.
• Metabolic diversity (MCBM3724), 16 Credits.
• Bacterial and viral plant pathology (PPLG3734), 16 Credits.
• Ecology of plant pathogens (PPLG3744), 16 Credits.
• Principles of quantitative genetics in plant breeding (PLTB3714), 16 Credits.
• Growth, nutrition and death of micro-organisms (MCBG3714), 16 Credits.
• Applied veld management and veld evaluation (GRAS3714), 16 Credits.
• Food products from plants (FSCP3724), 16 Credits.
• Applied Insect Biochemistry and Pharmacology (ENTO3744), 16 Credits.
• Soil fertility and fertilization (SOIL3714), 16 Credits.
• Advanced plant breeding techniques (PLTB3744), 16 Credits.
• Soil contaminants and management (SOIL3724), 16 Credits.
• Climate change and variability (CLIM3724), 16 Credits.
• Advanced Medical, Veterinary and Forensic Entomology (ENTO3734), 16 Credits.
• Commercial microbial products and biotechnology (MCBB3724), 16 Credits.
• Pathogens and immunity (MCBP3724), 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8

• Weed control (CROP4844), 16 Credits.
• Research Project (FSCR4805), 20 Credits.
• Advanced fodder plant evaluation (GRAS4844), 16 Credits.
• Production and utilisation ecology (GRAS6814), 16 Credits.
• Growth and lactation physiology (ANIP6824), 16 Credits.
• Applied ruminant nutrition (ANIN6864), 16 Credits.
• Animal breeding: Mixed model theory (ANIB6814), 16Credits.
• Simulating biophysical interactions (CLIM6824),16 Credits.
• Research project (ANIG4805), 20 Credits.
• Molecular plant pathology (PPLG4844), 16 Credits.
• Flood and mechanised irrigation (AGEC4814), 16 Credits.
• Epidemiology and control of plant diseases (PPLG4834), 16 Credits.
• Specialised micro, drip and underground irrigation systems (AGEC4824), 16 Credits.
• Plant-pathogen interactions (PPLG4824), 16 Credits.
• Defoliation phenology and physiology (GRAS4834), 16 Credits.
• Micrometeorology and specialised instrumentation (CLIM4814), 16 Credits.
• Simulating biophysical interactions (CLIM4824), 16 Credits.
• Crop physiology (CROP4814), Credits.
• Food products from plants; advanced (FSCP4814), 16 Credits.
• Production and utilisation ecology (GRAS4814), 16 Credits.
• Physics and dynamics of the atmosphere (CLIM4834), 16 Credits.
• Advanced fodder plant evaluation (GRAS6844), 16 Credits.
• Weather analysis and forecasting (CLIM4844), 16 Credits.
• Dairy Science (FSCD4814), 16 Credits.
• Meat Science (FSCM4814), 16 Credits.
• Advanced veld management (GRAS4824), 16 Credits.
• Literature study (FSCR4803), 12 Credits.
• Defoliation phenology and physiology (GRAS6834), 16 Credits.
• Product development, sensory and (FSCG4825), 20 Credits.
• Crop development (CROP4824), 16 Credits.
• Animal breeding: Mixed model theory (ANIB4814), 16 Credits.
• Statistics in plant sciences (PLTB4854), 16 Credits.
• Soil biological principles and applications (SOIL4844), 16 Credits.
• Soil classification principles and applications (SOIL4834), 16 Credits.
• Research methodology (SCCS4814), 16 Credits.
• Soil physical principles and applications (SOIL4824), 16 Credits.
• Soil chemical principles and applications (SOIL4814), 16 Credits.
• Applied ruminant nutrition (ANIN4864), 16 Credits.
• Literature review (ANIG4803), 12 Credits.
• Growth and lactation physiology (ANIP4824), 16 Credits.
• Research project (PLTB4898), 32 Credits.
• Applied reproduction physiology in farm animals (ANIP6814), 16 Credits.
• Marker-assisted breeding (PLTB4834), 16 Credits.
• Literature review (PLTB4896), 24 Credits.
• Research project (PPLG4898), 32 Credits.
• Research methodology (SCCS6814), 16 Credits.
• Physics and dynamics of the atmosphere (CLIM6834), 16 Credits.
• Animal breeding: Practical application (ANIB6824), 16 Credits.
• Applied Monogastric nutrition (ANIN4836), 16 Credits.
• Advanced quantitative genetics in plant breeding (PLTB4814), 16 Credits.
• Literature review (PPLG4896), 24 Credits.
• Animal breeding: Practical application (ANIB4824), 16 Credits.
• Soil biological principles and applications (SOIL6844), 16 Credits.
• Quality and stress tolerance breeding (PLTB4824), 16 Credits.
• Applied reproduction physiology in farm animals (ANIP4814), 16 Credits.

1. Apply and integrate scientific principles and concepts with agricultural activities.
2. Critically review information in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues in the Agricultural sector.
3. Assemble, analyse, interpret, evaluate and present scientific data related to the field of agriculture.
4. Undertake specific research within the Agricultural Science sector.
5. Solve complex problems by considering the ethical and accountable impact in the Agricultural sector.

• Engage sources of knowledge and apply theories and techniques that are relevant to Science and Agriculture and research conducted in the field of study.
• Apply scientific principles and concepts and integrate them with agricultural activities.
• Respond to more complex needs in the field by engaging various issues and solving them using the knowledge and skills attained in relation to the Sciences and the field of Agriculture.
• Critically review information in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues in the Agricultural sector.
• Assemble, analyse, interpret, evaluate and present scientific data related to the field of Agriculture.
• Undertake specific research within the Agricultural Science sector and display the ability to solve complex problems by considering the ethical and accountable impact in the Agricultural sector.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy provides for both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Leaners should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills and attitude). This combination of assessment opportunities affords leaners the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur and will include: Seminar on an approved agricultural sciences topic is required which will test and help to give the learner insight into the complexity of applied agricultural sciences and integrated continuous and formative assessment allowing demonstration of achieved competences as required by the outcomes of the Qualification by means of tests, assignments, orals, examinations, presentations, research projects, practical reports.