MSc in Horticulture
1.OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
The major objectives of postgraduate training in horticulture are to:
- Produce highly qualified graduates with the knowledge, attitude and skills necessary for promoting horticultural crops production and management.
- Generate and/or adopt appropriate technologies through client oriented, demand driven and problem solving research activities in the areas of horticultural crops, production and management.
- Actively involve in the dissemination of appropriate technologies to ultimate users through the college’s well cherished community outreach programs, workshops, net working and consultancy/advisory services.
2.GRADUATE PROFILE
Students who complete their MSc study in the field of horticulture will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to work competently in the following areas:
- As researchers, they can engage in research institutes, universities, and other higher education institutes to actively involve in research activities in horticulture and related fields.
- As teachers or trainers, they will have a broad range of opportunities, varying from teaching in universities, development worker for an NGO or a governmental body, as a consultant for private enterprises/ companies, as an extension worker for farmers and regional communities and so forth.
- As policy makers, involve in policy formulation and implementation in the field of horticulture and related disciplines.
- MSc graduates might also opt to take up their own business as private investors or entrepreneurs or mangers within a commercial farm or business.
And of course there are still different job sectors where they might be engaged in, such as:
- Supervisors and managers in different organizations
- Team members in innovation, production and propagation of feasible and appropriate post-harvest technology tools and methods.
- Self employment (entrepreneur)
The potential employers for MSc in Horticulture graduates
It is presumed that most of the candidates for the MSc program are already affiliated to their sponsoring institutions, however, graduates may opt for new job opportunities and the followings are identified as their potential employers:
- Federal & regional agricultural & related offices
- National, regional & international research institutes/centers
- Higher education institutions
- NGOs
- Cooperatives/unions
- Private horticultural farms
- Coffee and tea processing industries
- Spices and herbs processing industries
- Quality standardization agency
- Exporting agencies of agricultural products etc.
3.TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
Teaching and learning methods are based on the competence based education approach. This means that the teachers will look for the optimal combination of methods in order for students to acquire the necessary competencies. This broadly includes class room lectures, group discussions, field and laboratory practical, field visits, presentations etc.
4.PROGRAMME DURATION
The MSc program in Horticulture is a two years study that encompasses course work and thesis research. However, the maximum period within which the student will have to finish his or her study will not be more than three years.
5.ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
It is presumed that students with a BSc or equivalent degrees in Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences or similar fields are eligible to join this MSc training in horticulture. Applicants must pass the entrance exam and fully satisfy the academic rules and regulation of the University.
6.ASSESSMENT METHODS
Course assessment – Course assessment consists of continuous and final assessment; the students will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods, ranging from presentations, theory tests, and quizzes to practical reports, reflection reports, case studies, and role plays. The combination of methods will assess whether the students gained the competencies required in the labour market. Grading of students’ performances will be through the scaling system and student’s academic standing in each course is graded as A, B, C and D according to his/her performance.
Thesis assessment – Research work, compiled into thesis at the end, will be supervised by an advisor and co-advisor. Progress in research and thesis work will be evaluated at the end of each semester. At the end of his/her study, the student must defend his/her thesis in an oral examination administered by appointed thesis defense examination committee.
7.GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The student must obtain at least a “B” grade in all courses. A student that scored one “C” grade will also be eligible for graduation. A student however should complete his/her MSc research work and defend successfully. The prospective graduate must fully satisfy the academic rules and regulations of the University set for graduation of graduate students.
8.DEGREE NAMING
- Master of Science in Horticulture (¾Teƒ_ƒ Ç=Ó] uJ`+”M†`)
9.QUALITY ASSURANCE AND PROGRAM EVALUATION
Quality assurance entails the systematic, structured and continuous attention given to the maintenance and improvement of the quality of the programme. It is a measure of the value of what we do and the system of benchmarks that we use to make sure that standard are maintained and improved where possible on a continuous basis. Quality assurance aims to meet and keep to accepted standards of excellence, and is essential to maintain the reputation of the institution in general and the department in particular.
Generally quality is assured through various mechanisms including having well qualified teaching staff in terms of the mix of qualifications and experience. In addition, the quality of teaching can be assured through making available suitable reference books and text books, teaching materials, laboratory manuals, better laboratory facilities, access to internet and computer services. The department will employ appropriate teaching, learning and assessment methods to ensure effective implementation of its programs.
The college also has internal quality audit team, which monitors the standards of the exams. Open thesis defense is examined by examination board composed of an external examiner, internal examiner and chair person appointed by the graduate program council.
Regular evaluation takes place to evaluate the quality of the course content and the teaching staff and to see what needs to be revised or improved. Involved in this evaluation are students and teaching staff. In the near future alumni and stakeholders from the labour market will participate as well.
10. Course breakdown
Table 1. Year I Semester I Courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Cr. Hrs |
| HORT 501 | Advanced Biometry | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 511 | Scientific Writing | 1(1+0) |
| HORT 531 | Protected Cultivation and Propagation of Horticultural Crops | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 542 | Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding | 3(3+0) |
| HORT 551 | Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | 2(1+1) |
| HORT 561 | Advanced Plant Physiology | 2(2+0) |
| Total | 14 + 2 (E) |
Table 2. Year I Semester II Courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Cr. Hrs |
| HORT 512 | Advanced Coffee Science and Technology | 3 (2+1) |
| HORT 522 | Advanced Fruit Crops Production and Management | 3 (2+1) |
| HORT 532 | Current Topics in Horticulture | 1(0+1) |
| HORT 521 | Advanced Post-harvest Physiology and Technology of Horticultural Crops | 2(1+1) |
| HORT 542 | Vegetable Crops Production and Management | 3(2+1) |
| HORT 552 | Integrated Pest Management of Horticultural Crops | 2(1+1) |
| HORT 581 | Advanced Tea, Spices and Herbs Production and Processing | 2(1+1) |
| Total | 16 +2(E) |
Table 3. Elective courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Cr. Hrs |
| HORT 572 | Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Business Management in Horticulture (E) | 2(1+1) |
| HORT 592 | Climate Change and Horticulture Crops Production (E) | 2(2+0) |
| HORT 521 | Advanced Urban and Peri-Urban Production of Horticultural Crops (E) | 2(1+1) |
| HORT 571 | Floriculture and Landscape Designing (E) | 2(1+1) |
| Agrn 561 | Soil and Water Management (E) | 2(1+1) |
| Total | 10 |
(E) = Elective courses
# =Out of a total of five elective courses, a student is required to take two courses (i.e., one each semester)
Table 4. Year II Semester I & II
Department of Horticulture and Plant Science |