Program Overview

Programme: BScAgricHons specialising in Crop Science

The BScAgricHons specialising in Crop Science is a postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Applied Plant and Soil Sciences degree or a relevant bachelor's degree (NQF level 7)
• A weighted average of at least 60% at final-year level of the bachelor's degree (NQF level 7)
• All applications must be accompanied by certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level, a certified copy of ID or passport, and a research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees)
• International applicants must submit a SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report, TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results (if applicable), and a certified copy of passport
• Admissions is based on the content of and performance in the prior degree, bridging arrangements (where required), academic merit, and prior work experience (if applicable)

Programme Information

The programme consists of a minimum of 135 credits, with a minimum duration of study of 1 year. The programme is offered at NQF level 8.

• Core credits: 60
• Elective credits: 75

Core Modules

The following core modules are required:

• BME 780: Statistics for biological sciences 780 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Introduction to ANOVA, correlation and linear regression and analysis of covariance. Chi-squared tests. Basic concepts in generalised linear models. The principles of experimental design as required for the selection of an appropriate research design.
• PGW 701: Research project in crop science 701 (30 credits)
  • Module content: Students will design, execute and write up a research project in any one of the subdisciplines of Crop science, eg Agronomy, Horticultural science or Pasture science.
• PGW 702: Scientific communication 702 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Principles of the scientific process. Literature accessing and article assessment. Manuscript preparation and presentation of seminars. Use of visual aids.

Elective Modules

The following elective modules can be chosen:

• AGR 785: Crop production systems (I): Field crops 785 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Integrated agronomic, climatic, soil, botanical, economic and managerial considerations in crop production systems aimed at maximum economic yield and sustainability.
• AGR 786: Crop production systems (II): Vegetable crops 786 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Integrating agronomic, climatic, soil, botanical, economic and managerial considerations in crop production systems aimed at maximum economic yield and sustainability.
• APS 761: Crop physiology 761 (15 credits)
  • Module content: An overview of photosynthesis and respiration, with the aim of examining the physiological basis of yield in cropping systems.
• BOT 789: Plants, people and planet 789 (5 credits)
  • Module content: Introduction to Community Engagement (CE) in the South African and University of Pretoria context; plant blindness.
• GDK 773: Soil fertility, soil microbiology and plant nutrition 773 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Soil ultimately controls nutrient supply to plants and organisms. The health and resilience of biota are therefore closely linked to the interaction between the pedosphere and the biosphere.
• HSC 780: Fruit tree crops 780 (30 credits)
  • Module content: An overview of the South African fruit industry indicating economic importance and the areas of production of the various crops.
• LKM 750: Environmental biophysics 750 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Environmental variables. Quantitative description and measurements of atmospheric environmental variables and water in organisms.
• PPR 712: Plant production: Herbicides and control 712 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Weeds and their importance in Southern Africa. Properties and uses of herbicides.
• PPR 713: Agroforestry 713 (15 credits)
  • Module content: Agro-ecological zones (climate and soil); trees for fruit, fodder, fuel and/or timber; intercropping or alley cropping with grains, vegetables or pastures.
• WDE 751: Advanced pasture science 751 (15 credits)
  • Module content: The production potential and quality of pastures as influenced by botanical composition, vegetation cover, livestock grazing and browsing potential, soil chemical, physical and biological conditions.
• WDE 781: Rangeland management 781 (15 credits)
  • Module content: The development of rangeland management strategies integrating ecological and physiological principles with economic and sociological constraints to achieve desired objectives whilst ensuring sustainability.