Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Animal Science

The qualification in Animal Science have been designed to ensure that learners acquired analytical, reasoning, communication and computer literacy skills. Real-life problems encountered in the commercial, small-scale emerging livestock farmers and public sector are used to develop skills.

On qualifying, learners will have gone through four main disciplines of Animal Science

1. Animal Breeding: Learners have insight and background to develop genetic improvement qualifications for farm animals based on scientific principles.
2. Animal Physiology and Animal Health: Learners will be able to evaluate reproductive performance and understand how desired performance can be achieved. Also, learners will appreciate the complexities of maintaining the health and welfare of animals.
3. Animal Nutrition: Learners will learn about economic feeding of animals according to their needs. Optimisation of feeding strategies for farm animals requires integration of biological and economic factors, these being associated with the animal, feed and the environment.
4. Animal Production Systems & Management: Learners will develop a holistic approach towards beef, fat lamb, goats and poultry and be able to identify and solve production problems associated with these systems. Emphasis will be placed on the role of small-scale farming systems.

On qualifying learners will be imbued with an enhanced level of social awareness and responsibility and understanding of their role in society as agricultural scientists. The strong academic content of the training means that the learners can embark on Postgraduate studies as well as developing an aptitude and appetite for life-long learning, formal and informal career prospects of learners in a wide range of fields open to Animal Scientists & Technicians.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

1. A proper appreciation of the role of Agriculture in human affairs.
2. Clear understanding of the principles of Animal Production and Science relating to the breeding, physiology, health, nutrition, production systems and management. Learners will have an enhanced appreciation of the interrelationships among these factors and how their manipulation affects animal production and products.
3. Apply basic economic principles in Animal production.
4. Plan, execute, analyse and report laboratory and field experiments in solving problems of livestock producers.
5. Demonstaret an understanding of the multi-faceted roles of agriculture in society in its various linkages with other spheres of human affairs in order to properly situate the learner's role in the light of other qualification.
6. Participate meaningfully using skills, mainly scientific acquired in discussions and decisions making in respect of agricultural and related problems.
7. Function independently with minimal supervision and to effectively supervise subordinates particularly in agricultural matters.

A variety of continuous and cumulative assessment methods which include field and laboratory practicals, take-home assignments, projects, group and individual work, written and oral examinations which will be utilised to evaluate whether learning outcomes have been attained. Learners will have to display problem-solving skills and prove their grasp and understanding of principles and applications of the discipline.

Integrated Assessment

• Portfolios.
• Workplace assessments.
• Written examinations.
• Oral examinations.