Master of Science in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of new knowledge and use research to find solutions to problems in agriculture. This qualification builds on a relatively broad base laid by the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and allows learners to focus their attention and specialise in a particular area of agriculture. Since a Masters qualification is the minimum for entry into academia, this qualification will assist in creating a pipeline of new academics in agriculture. This qualification allows learners to develop the following outcomes to:

• Reflect critically on theory and its application in agriculture;
• Deal with complex issues in the agricultural sciences, both creatively and systematically;
• Make sound judgments using the data and information that they have collected;
• Communicate to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in analysing and solving problems;
• Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level;

And

• Continue to advance knowledge understanding and skills.

Rationale

The South African agricultural landscape is in flux and has a long history of inequitable development. There are millions of marginalised land users from the mainstream agricultural sector, and the social and economic benefits derived from there. In Mpumalanga province, the agricultural sector is the largest user of land, covering approximately 68% of the province. The province is well known for:

• Citrus,
• Subtropical fruit,
• Nuts,
• Sugarcane,

And

• A variety of vegetables.

To this can be added many thousands of hectares of commercial forestry and a substantial productive livestock population. Together these industries can and do have a significant social, economic and environmental impact. The province is well-positioned to expand its contribution to Gross Domestic Qualification (GDP) as well as to the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers. Thus, the presence of an institution with agricultural competence can contribute significantly to the wise development of agriculture in the province and full South Africa.

This qualification prepares the learners to undertake independent research contributing to the development of agriculture nationally and internationally.

In the National Development Plan (NDP), agricultural science is considered critical to the country's future. The NDP calls for increasing and refocusing investment in research and development for the agricultural sector. One aspect of this is to strengthen the capacity to innovate for production efficiency and adaptability, especially in the light of climate change. The proposed qualification is aligned with this and will contribute to meeting this need. Finally, this qualification provides a progression pathway for those learners from our 4-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture who wish to continue with their studies in the country. We expect that it will also attract learners from other provinces and neighbouring countries who wish to undertake post qualified learner studies in the agricultural sciences.

Qualifying learners will find employment at one of the governments or private agricultural research institutes or as a researcher at a university, or as an academic. The most appropriate learning pathway for this Masters is from a Bachelor's qualification to Honours, Masters and Doctorate, although learners from a diploma will be able to articulate into this pathway. The qualification will benefit the learner by preparing her or him for a career in research or academia. Society and the economy will benefit because of the enormous importance of agriculture, the threat of climate change, the need for food security, the need for environmentally friendly farming methods and the need to maximise production from the available land.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution follows a policy in place that guides the use of RPL, and this policy.

Learners with a non-agriculture qualification such as entomology may qualify based on their workplace-based experience. Also, the same condition applies to learners with an Honours in agriculture. This consideration may include an interview at which the applicant will have the opportunity to demonstrate her/his relevant knowledge and skills.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture, NQF Level 8.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture, NQF, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory thesis at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Module, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Possess specialist and current knowledge of theory and practice in an area of agricultural sciences and be able to engage critically with new ideas.
2. Evaluate and critique the processes of knowledge production and apply appropriate processes or processes to address a research question.
3. Design, select and apply proven appropriate research methodologies to address a complex question in agriculture.
4. Use a range of specialised skills in the research process.
5. Understand ethics both in general as it affects the research process and in the particular case of their research.
6. Access, process, and manage complex data sets and use of Information and Communication Technology's optimally to assist with this.
7. Use language appropriately when addressing different audiences and when writing for different audiences.
8. Understand systems and systems thinking as it applies to agricultural sciences and the complex nature of systems allows qualified learners to plan for all likely consequences of an intervention.
9. Manage own learning, albeit in a supervised and supported environment, research and take accountability for allocated resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in a particular area of agriculture and engagement with and critique of current research, methodologies and practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate that the learner can identify a research question and then identify and apply an appropriate method of knowledge production to generate the required data to address the question.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Pose the question clearly and placed within relevant current theory and practice in the thesis.
• Ask the question that is appropriate in the research design.
• Ask appropriate questions for the selected method or methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate agricultural conceptualisation in, designing an appropriate research methodology and collecting data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate the ethical implications of the research by exploring the thesis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate a well-developed ability to access, process and manage data using modern methods and appropriate statistical analyses for agricultural research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Demonstrate a well-developed ability to access, process and manage data using modern methods and appropriate statistical analyses for agricultural research.
• Assess the assessment of this Masters qualification, and that will include an oral examination.
• Speak to diverse non-formally assessed audiences.
• Present annual research seminars and talk to their community if the research is community-based.
• Provide formative feedback on these presentations.
• Show a well-developed ability to produce academic writing that is appropriate for the agricultural sciences, and that adheres to accepted norms and standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Agricultural sciences are often complicated, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to address problems adequately, and systems thinking is vital. In the thesis, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of the research project's system and how the system and it is parts interact. In the discussion, the learner will demonstrate an understanding of how any proposed intervention will affect the system as a whole.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Develop abilities to manage own learning because the research is independent, albeit, under the guidance of an experienced supervisor.
• Develop abilities to manage their research project and take responsibility for any funding or other resources allocated because the research is independent, albeit under the guidance of an experienced supervisor.

Integrated Assessment

There will be a formative assessment at the stage of research proposal writing and submission of a proposal, ethics application and approval, developing research chapters on the approved proposal, instrumentation and data collection, verbal and written presentation of the thesis or logical argument. All learners will present a research seminar at least once each year, and this will be another opportunity for critique and feedback.