Master of Agriculture in Crop Protection

Purpose

1. To train professionals as strategic managers cum subject matter specialists to serve agriculture and rural development in the South and Southern African context.
2. To develop Post-graduate-level knowledge of the field of Crop Protection.
3. To provide skills and knowledge to understand and apply and transfer knowledge of crop health management. More extensive knowledge of plant microbial interactions, complexity of diseases and the organisms that cause these diseases, including insects and weeds.
4. To provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
5. To provide opportunities for learners of crop protection to communicate information to growers and small-scale farmers to ensure sustainable crop production.
6. To develop learners' management skills to enable them to advise growers in pest and disease control strategies.

Rationale

The means improving the livelihood of South Africans by ensuring sustainable crop production.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Plant Pathology, Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Science Honours, Level 8 in one of the following fields of specialisation: Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Crop Protection, Plant Protection, Plant Production, Horticultural Sciences, Botany, Entomology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology.

This qualification consists of course work and a research project.

1. Understand principles involved in plant diseases and defence mechanisms as well as the interaction of micro-organisms, insects and weeds with plants. Communicate effectively with growers, understand the sociological and economic aspects of farming systems and advice on basic concepts of disease, pest and weed control.
2. Apply basic techniques to identify pests, pathogens and weeds ant to confirm the presence of the disease.
3. Collect, analyse, interpret, select and critically evaluate general extension, plant protection, plant production literature and utilise this knowledge to solve problems, thereby helping growers to produce high yields of good quality crops.
4. Understand the basic principles of plant disease development and the complex interaction between pathogens and plants and to develop disease management strategies.
5. Recognise his/her responsibility towards ensuring healthy crops and to communicate crop management strategies to growers and small-scale farmers.
6. Comply with the ethics demanded by science and provide practical problem solving solutions to reduce crop losses and to convey this information to farmers.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria is assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Problem solving ability through economic applications in natural and biological resources.
• In-depth knowledge of the problems of rural communities in developing areas.
• An understanding of group dynamics and extension.
• Basic knowledge of rural governance issues and settlement planning.
• Basic knowledge of land law.
• Ability to negotiate and plan strategically.
• In-depth knowledge of rural institutions and systems.
• Knowledge of research methodology and the ability to apply it successfully.
• Identify a relevant topic for research.
• Identify research problem.
• Do survey and analyse and present results in a logical fashion.
• Theoretical basis for problem solving in natural and biological resources.
• Knowledge of rural institutions and systems.
• Understanding of group dynamics.
• Knowledge of project planning and appraisal.
• Basic understanding of the issues in rural development.

Integrated Assessment

• Simulations.
• Written examinations.
• Oral examinations.

Other

• Assignments and exercises for course work.
• Research report on approved research topic.
• National or international publication.
• Poster presentation at a national conference, symposium or workshop.