Master of Science in Agriculture

The Master of Science (Agriculture) programme in Animal Science have been designed to ensure that students acquired analytical, reasoning, communication and computer literacy skills at advanced level. Real life problems encountered in the commercial, small-scale emerging livestock farmers and public sector are used to develop research skills.

Research work and course work will be done in the following areas

1. Animal Breeding: Learners will research and learn to develop genetic improvement programmes for farm animals based on scientific principles.
2. Animal Physiology and Animal Health: Learners will research and course-work covering an evaluation of reproductive performance to understand how desired performance can be achieved. Also, learners will research and learn on the complexities of maintaining the health and welfare of animals.
3. Animal Nutrition: Learners will do research and course work, learning about economic feeding of animals according to their needs. Optimisation of feeding strategies for farm animals requires integration of biological and economic actors, these being associated with the animal, feed and the environment.
4. Animal Production Systems & Management: Learners will do research and course work in the field of production systems and management. Course work will cover a holistic approach towards beef, fat lamb, goats, pigs and poultry and be able to identify and solve production problems associated with these systems.
5. 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 Doctorate.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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

Entry requirements

• 4-year Bachelor Degree in the related field, or an honours degree in the related field.

1. A proper appreciation of the role of Agriculture in human affairs.
2. Demonstrate a level of professionalism in research and teaching.
3. Clear understanding of the principles of Animal production and science relating to the breeding, physiology, health, nutrition, production systems and management. Learner will have an enhanced appreciation of the interrelationships among these factors and how their manipulation influences affect animal production and products.
4. Applying basic economic principles in Animal production.
5. Planning, executing, analysing and reporting laboratory and field experiments in solving problems of livestock producers.

Critical cross-field outcomes

Cross-field outcomes incorporate those specified in the learning outcomes in the various approved research programme and modules, as they relate to the learner's possible future employment.

1. 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 qualifications.
2. Ability to participate meaningfully using skills, mainly scientific acquired in discussions and decision making in respect of agricultural matters.
3. Ability to function independently with minimal supervision and to effectively supervise subordinates particularly in agricultural matters.
4. A well developed sense of ethical and social responsibility.
5. Usefulness to the society through invasiveness, entrepreneurship all reflecting an ability for self-motivation and self-improvement in respect of further training and development.
6. Ability to participate and initiate policy pertaining to the area of specialisation.

A variety of continuous and cumulative assessment methods which include field and laboratory experiments, 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. A thesis document will also have to be submitted for both internal and external examination.

Integrated assessment incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the Degree is achieved

1. Portfolios.
2. Work-place assessments.
3. Written examinations.
4. Oral examination.