Master of Science in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Science in Agriculture is to educate and train researchers in advanced skills related to the agricultural field, by means of a research dissertation, to contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of agriculture at an advanced level. By writing the research dissertation, the learner will be trained to identify new knowledge within the agricultural field, support this identification through reading, incorporating and summarizing the available body of literature, devise a problem statement by which the identified knowledge gap could be addressed; set up an experiment with acceptable scientific methods to obtain the data necessary to address the problem statement, analyse the data and draw scientific conclusions from the data.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in the specific field of animal health/animal sciences/agronomy and crop science/agriculture economics/soil science to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices.
• Understand the theory, research methodologies and techniques relevant to agriculture and be able to evaluate current processes of knowledge production, and choose an appropriate process of inquiry in the field of agriculture
• Design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems in agriculture.
• Collect and critically evaluate current research and take part in scholarly debates in this particular field of specialisation.
• Use a wide range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and deal with complex real-world problems and issues regarding agriculture ethically.
• Apply relevant research methods, techniques, and technologies to collect, interpret and evaluate data under supervision and communicate results.
• Contribute to and expand the current body of knowledge in the agricultural sector.
• Improve existing technologies or develop new technologies and management practices.

Qualifying learners will act as leaders in conducting research and working in the fields of agronomy, soil science, agriculture extension, animal science and health, agricultural management, banks, research and development, academia, and food processing.

Agricultural Extension Officers holding the qualification will work for the government and be able to conduct experiments for demonstration purposes and to test, improve or develop new technologies, to generate agricultural information and recommendations to farmers.

Rationale

The institution has been approached in recent times by various farmers and Agri-businesses, such as North-west Cooperative with requests to address the critical need for training and research in agriculture which was also identified as a strategic priority by the Department of Labour. Especially in terms of the sustainable utilisation of natural resources, including soil and water. The qualification will address the challenges of sustainable food production on ever decreasing arable land, as well as meet the demand for more and good quality food for burgeoning populations. The institution has embarked on investing in the education of a 21st-century agricultural workforce which should comprise a significant component of scientists. As part of the international and national drive to minimise the impacts of food shortages forecasted due to climate change, the development and implementation of the qualification is a viable approach to assist in producing more researchers for the county, the region and possibly the continent. Due to the dynamic global agricultural environment, there is a specific demand from organised agriculture and agri-businesses for candidates with strong strategic formulation and leadership skills in the agricultural environment locally.

Soil and crop scientists have become extremely scarce, which is evident by institutions in general struggling to find suitable candidates to fill their agriculture-related academic positions. This should pose a threat to sustainable research and teaching in agriculture. This phenomenon can be seen nationally. Because agricultural technology developed elsewhere in the world is not necessarily applicable in our country, South Africa is falling behind compared to some other countries, especially those in the developed world. This qualification will help to address the need for advanced research and training which could feed into teaching and research expertise to address demands in South Africa and even the rest of Africa.

The research-based degree qualification will address the challenges farmers face within South Africa. The learners will be trained to solve problems and create solutions for the challenges facing South African farmers. Outcomes of studies could also be relevant to other countries in Africa, and even on other continents.

The skills obtained during this qualification include, but are not limited to

• Advanced agricultural knowledge.
• Problem identification.
• Assessment of current body of knowledge.
• Advanced research methodologies
• Data analysis.
• Drawing conclusions based on data.
• Scientific communication.

Obtaining these skills will address the rationale for this qualification which identified the need to address the shortage of skills and knowledge within the agricultural sector, such as the management and administration of agri-businesses, skills and research in soil- and crop sciences, and skills and research in agricultural economics. The advanced field-specific knowledge generated through research will contribute to filling the voids currently felt within the industry, while the softer skills such as problem identification and assessment of the current body of knowledge will aid the student to address issues when facing them in a work environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• 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. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in the specific field of animal health/animal sciences/agronomy and crop science/agriculture economics/soil science to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theory, research methodologies and techniques relevant to agriculture and be able to evaluate current processes of knowledge production, and choose an appropriate process of inquiry in the field of agriculture
3. Demonstrate command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems in agriculture.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and deal with complex real-world problems and issues regarding agriculture ethically, and apply relevant research methods, techniques and technologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply specialists and current knowledge in the area of agriculture.
• Engage with and critique current research, research methodologies and practices of particular areas of knowledge in Agriculture

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate and critique the processes of knowledge production and apply appropriate processes or processes to address a research question.
• 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

• Design, select and apply proven appropriate research methodologies to address a complex question in agriculture.
• Use a range of specialised skills in the research process.
• Clearly write a research question and placed it within relevant current theory and practice in a dissertation.
• Develop research questions that are appropriate to the research design used in a dissertation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use a range of specialised skills in the research process.
• Apply ethics both in general as it affects the research process and in the particular case of their research
• Access, process, and manage data using modern methods and appropriate statistical analyses for agricultural research.
• Use language appropriately when addressing different audiences and when writing for different audiences.
• Collect and critically evaluate current research and take part in scholarly debates in this particular field of specialisation.

Integrated Assessment

Description of the number and types of tests, assignments, projects, and case studies.

As a research-only qualification with just one module (the dissertation), there will not be any tests or assignments. However, a research topic must be submitted and approved followed by the implementation of the proposal and a research dissertation.

Formative and summative assessment

Formative assessment will be done every time the learner submits a part of a chapter of the dissertation or article. The supervisor assesses the quality thereof and decides whether the learner has to re-work the section, add additional information, or elaborate on the analysis therein. The learner will get the opportunity to improve the work every time after feedback until its satisfactory according to the supervisor(s). No marks will be allocated.

Internal and external moderation / examination

Higher Degree Administration oversees the process of examining the dissertations and manages evaluation reports from examiners within the determined marking period.

External evaluations take place by external peer panels at an international level according to a fixed schedule. The Director of Research Support is responsible for organising these evaluations.