Objectives
The major objectives of this industry oriented graduate program in Horticulture are to:
- produce highly qualified, competent and skilled human resource in Horticulture;
- engage in intensive horticulture research and generate applicable technologies that will be used by horticulture industry and farmers for sustainable Agriculture, and
- involve in horticultural extension and advisory services
Entry requirements
Trainees in quest of admission into the intended program are supposed to fulfill the following requirements.
- Candidates need to have BSc degree in Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Biology, Forestry, and other related agricultural sciences. However, application from other field of studies with relevant experiences and background (related to the training area) might be considered if the identified major deficient courses are managed through time. Special arrangements for such cases and other details will be worked out by the department of horticulture and plant science graduate committee. Final decisions on acceptance will be awarded by the college graduate council.
- Applicants must present at least two recommendation letters preferably from their respective hosting organizations and under graduate instructors
- Candidates are required to pass the written entrance exams and fully satisfy the academic rules and regulations of the university. Given the availability of places, admission shall be on competitive basis.
Graduate profileStudents who complete their MSc study in the field of industry based horticulture will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to work competently within 3 broad job sectors:
- as a researcher, they can engage in research institutes, universities, and other higher education institutes;
- as a teacher or trainer, they will have a broad range of opportunities, varying from teaching on a university, development worker for an NGO or a governmental body, as a consultant for private entrepreneurs and companies, as an extension worker for farmers and regional communities and so forth.
- but MSc graduates might also opt to take up their own business as a private investor or entrepreneur or start being a manger within a commercial farm or business and of course there are still different job sectors where they might be engaged in.
Graduation requirement
The MSc degree in horticulture is awarded to a candidate who:
- has fulfilled the general graduation requirements of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of Jimma University,
- Passed all examinations in courses offered in the program (i.e. the student must obtain at least a “B” grade in all courses. A student that scored “C” grade will also be eligible for graduation, provided that his/her CGPA is 3.00 and above, and
- Successfully completed and defended his/her thesis.
Degree nomenclature: Master of Science (MSc) in Industry Based HorticultureCourse Breakdown: Industry based Horticulture (M.Sc)Year I Semester I
| No | Course code | Course name | Cr hr |
| 1 | Hort. 501 | Biometry | 3 |
| 2 | Hort. 511 | Horticultural Crops Production, Technology and Management | 4 |
| 3 | Hort. 521 | Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology in Horticulture | 3 |
| Total | 10 |
Year I Semester II
| No | Course code | Course name | Cr hr |
| 1 | Hort. 502 | Horticultural Marketing and Business Environment | 4 |
| 2 | Hort. 512 | Human Resource management | 2 |
| 3 | Hort. 522 | Postharvest Management and Technology of Horticultural Crops | 4 |
| Total | 10 |
Year II Semester I
| No | Course code | Course name | Cr hr |
| 1 | Hort. 513 | Pests and Diseases Management of Horticultural Crops | 3 |
| 2 | Hort. 523 | Professional and Research Skills(Home take) | 2 |
| 3 | Elective course I | 2 | |
| 4 | Elective course II | 2 | |
| 5 | Hort. 601 | Thesis | |
| Total | 9 +thesis |
Year II Semester II
| No | Course code | Course name | Cr hr |
| 1 | Hort. 514 | Seminar Series in professional Environment | 1 |
| 2 | Hort. 601 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total | 1+6 |
Department of Horticulture and Plant Science |