Master of Agriculture in Plant Protection

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to equip learners with specialist knowledge and skills that will enable them to deal with challenges facing plant protection in agriculture. A qualified learner will be able to:

• Critique and evaluate plant protection principles and technologies in the context of climate-smart agriculture.
• Comprehend and predict the impact the plant protection principles and technologies will have on Social, Legislative, Economic, Environmental and Political (SLEEP) factors.
• Apply plant protection principles and technologies in the context of research and development of associated products in the field.
• Communicate appropriately both in oral and written forms to various stakeholders such as communities, peers and government.
• Acquire knowledge in plant protection by applying specialist knowledge and advanced research techniques to solve contextual problems.
• Appreciate ethical issues associated with plant protection practices and use an ethical approach to solving related problems.

Rationale

The Master of Agriculture in Plant Protection is designed to provide learners with specialist knowledge that will enable them to engage in specific agricultural matters relating to plant protection. In the context of climate change, various studies have already demonstrated that population densities of various disease-inducing pathogens are on the rise, which translates to the need of having more skilful plant protection practitioners. Predictions suggest that average temperatures will increase by 6�C in the interior of South Africa, and will lead to high population densities of disease-inducing pathogens since their life cycles will be shorter. This qualification is designed in the context of sustainable climate-smart agriculture, with the emphasis on research and the development of environment-friendly products for plant protection, with minimal disturbance to the environment. This qualification aims at producing plant protection practitioners, who will be able to practise in the plant protection industry and contribute meaningfully to the knowledge of plant protection, ensuring an increase in food security locally, nationally and internationally. Plant Protection Practitioners are in high demand in Agricultural Departments, Science Councils and Commercial Agricultural Industry. Pest management serves as a pivotal role in the success of any agricultural enterprise and learners will be sought after by government departments, especially for quarantine services at South African borders and ports. The qualification is closely aligned with the Medium Terms Strategic Framework for 2015-19, which reflects the action plan for the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP) and Limpopo Development Plan (LDP), 2015-2019.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Based on the national transformation goals to redress past inequities in training and education Recognition of Prior Learning will be considered for access to those applicants without the required formal recognised qualification; in this way we ensure that access to higher education is promoted. This will be applied as per the University's Policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and be subject to a comprehensive portfolio of evidence being received which undergoes an approved assessment process, using relevant RPL assessors. Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process but who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have experiential or work- based learning which has taken them to a level equivalent to the above, under formally accredited learning, may be considered for admission for the recognition of prior accredited and or prior experiential learning. Applicants who after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is

• A four-year cognate Bachelors' Degree at NQF Level 8 or equivalent.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Modules, 176 Credits

• Mini-Dissertation (Plant Protection), 96 Credits.
• Experimental Design and Analysis, 16 Credits.
• Plant Pathology, 16 Credits.
• Plant Entomology, 16 Credits.
• Integrated Pest Management, 16 Credits.
• Plant Nematology, 16 Credits.

Electives, 16 Credits (select one)

• Weed Science, 16 Credits.
• Nature Farming, 16 Credits.
• Plant Acarology, 16 Credits.

1. Critique and evaluate plant protection principles and technologies in the context of climate-smart agriculture.
2. Comprehend and predict the impact the plant protection principles and technologies will have on SLEEP factors.
3. Apply plant protection principles and technologies in the context of research and development of associated products in the field.
4. Communicate appropriately in both oral and written forms to various stakeholders such as communities, peers and government.
5. Acquire knowledge in plant protection by applying specialist knowledge and advanced research techniques to solve contextual problems.
6. Appreciate ethical issues associated with plant protection practices and use an ethical approach to solving related problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• How plant protection theories and practices are integral to the climate-smart agriculture approach to food security locally, nationally and globally are understood.
• Commonly occurring diseases, pests and weeds of principal crops are recognised.
• Common laboratory diagnostic methods are chosen and applied to identify harmful agents.
• Suitable protocols of crop protection are designed and related applications are made.
• The quality and effectiveness of the treatment is evaluated in the context of climate-smart agriculture, and suitable alternatives are produced where required.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Comprehensive knowledge of the integrated nature of the SLEEP factors is demonstrated.
• The effect of plant protection principles and technologies on social, legislative, economic, environmental and political factors individually and in a concerted manner is discussed.
• Opinion is given on implications of how principles and technologies used in plant protection affect SLEEP factors.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Consequences of such treatments to the environment and the health safety of final products are evaluated.
• A professional attitude towards work and problem solving, and the use of innovative methods is developed.
• Complicated problems in plant protection are solved in collaboration with diagnostic laboratories and other professionals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Comprehensive reports are written in a scientifically acceptable format.
• Plant protection methods and strategies are discussed with farmers, policy makers, environmentalists, economists, legal persons, companies, colleagues and experts in the field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Knowledge of plant protection is used to identify a problem.
• Scientific reasoning is used to propose a hypothesis to the problem.
• A comprehensive, contemporary and logical literature review on the problem identified is written.
• Appropriate scientific methodology and techniques are used to formulate and operationalise a research protocol to solve the problem.
• Data obtained is interpreted accurately, ensuring that all limitations have been identified.
• Problems are solved to ensure valid techniques are used and that accurate results are obtained.
• The research done is critiqued, a conclusion is provided with respect to the hypothesis, and a way forward is proposed.
• Site literature is used accurately in the research and it is ensured that no plagiarism is practised.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Learners are made aware of the implications of plant protection principles and technologies on ethics of society and the environment.
• All research is carried out with a high regard of the ethical implications of the work.
• All ethical clearances (where required) are obtained from the Institution and from any other entity that is necessary before research is carried out.
• All work is undertaken with the utmost respect for individuals that will be impacted on, the environment and the law.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is integrated within most modules and learners will complete a series of assignments as they progress to build a portfolio. Assignments and tasks are marked and feedback is given to learners. The feedback will direct and support their learning, achievement of exit level outcomes, and prepare them for examinations. Tasks that will be included in portfolios will consist of projects, case studies, essays, simulations, experiments, assignments, online activities interactions, and presentations. Portfolios will be assessed to determine a mark in order to ensure that the purpose of the qualification and the exit level outcomes are met, the assessment is integrated in the submission of a mini-dissertation. Knowledge learnt in the taught component must be utilised in the research, which is submitted and assessed through an externally assessed mini-dissertation which comprises 50% of the total marks.