Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Agriculture. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The purpose of the qualification is

1. to provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in a number of fields of agricultural sciences to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society
2. to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in various fields of agricultural sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity
3. to stimulate and prepare learners for postgraduate study by provision of the required knowledge skills and insight to develop as agricultural researchers at a high academic level and
4. to provide South Africa with 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.

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification

Students who are in possessions of a Matriculation Exemption Certificate with a general average of 50% (D symbol), with Mathematics (HG) with at least an E symbol or (SG) with at least a D symbol AND a Natural Sciences subject (SG) with at least an E symbol, are admitted to the first year of the BSc (Biodiversity and Ecology) programme for Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Sciences. Successful completion of this first year allows entrance at second year level of the BscAgric. The requirement of an average D symbol does not apply to candidates with an age exemption or, in the case of candidates from other countries, in possession of conditional exemption.

a). Generic/Critical Cross Field Outcomes

The BscAgric graduate will have demonstrated the following generic/critical cross field outcomes

1. Identifying and solving problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made
2. Working effectively with others as a member of a group, organisation and community
3. Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively
4. Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information
5. Communicating effectively, using visual, numeric/mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion
6. Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and public health
7. Demonstrating understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving context do not exist in isolation
8. 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:

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

b). General Outcomes

The BscAgric graduate will have demonstrated the following general outcomes

1. A sound understanding of the theoretical background in core aspects of the agricultural sciences
2. The skills required for the operation and application of a range of scientific equipment, techniques and experimental approaches
3. The ability to detect and solve various production and management problems in agricultural crop science, vine crops and their produce, or within agricultural systems
4. An understanding of the interdisciplinary relationships within agricultural sciences
5. An awareness of the social responsibility towards the environment
6. The basic entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the commercial potential, including a grasp of opportunities available in the agro-commercial environment
7. The ability to read and interpret scientific literature including the ability to learn independently from source material
8. The understanding of the use and importance of using sound experimental controls and relevant statistical methods and evaluation
9. An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations
10. Basic skills 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 good general and scientific background of sufficient depth and latitude to enable the graduate to practise as a competent scientist

c). Specific Outcomes

In addition to the generic and general outcomes, the specific outcomes of the four programmes leading to this qualification, are the following:

1. Crop Production Systems

• The understanding of the operatives of agricultural science dealing with the ecology, development, production, breeding, feeding requirement, soil and water management of a range of crops
• The knowledge of harmful plants pathogens, insects, nematodes, weeds and their control in an environment-friendly, sustainable and economically acceptable manner

2. Food and Beverage Production Systems

• The understanding of the operatives of agricultural science in relation to viticulture
• Knowledge to scientifically manipulate the crop ;in order to produce quality and unique wines
• Integrate the knowledge of chemical and biological processes involved in wine and brandy wine production

3. Animal Production Systems

• The ability to integrate knowledge on the ecology, biochemistry, physiology, nutrition, production, product quality and management of animal husbandry in an environment-friendly and economically efficient manner
• The understanding of the operatives of agricultural science relating to animal production
• The ability to detect and solve problems in animal husbandry

4. Agricultural Economics and Management

• Skills in the establishment and use of agricultural economic and management techniques, including the analysis of the limitations and potential of the agricultural sector for the empowerment of intending analysts and management experts in enterprises in the private as well as sections of the government sector dealing with agricultural matters
• The ability to detect, analyse and solve problems relating to agricultural economics and management

a).

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

1. A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, workplace assessments, written and oral examinations are used
2. The required range of modalities is used with integrity to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved
3. 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

b).

The criterion used to assess outcomes 1 and 2 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 the 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

c).

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

Integrated assessment

Integrated assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures, such as assignments, workplace 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