|
Department of Soil & Resource Conservation |
| Home | Staff | Programmes | Regulations | Course Synopses |
Academic Programmes
B.Sc. Agriculture (Soil Science) Option
300-Level Courses
First Semester
AGR 312-3 Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
ANS 312-4 Principles of Animal Husbandry and Health
CPS 315-5 Crop Protection-Diseases and Pests Control
CPS 316-3 Research Methods
SSR 311-3 Introduction to Soil and Water Conservation
SSR 313-3 Soil Chemistry
Sub-Total 21 Credit Hours
Second Semester
AEC 321-3 Farm Management Applications
SSR 321-3 Soil Genesis, Morphology and Classification
SSR 322-3 Soil Physics
SSR 323-4 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
SSR 324-3 Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry
SSR 325-3 Watershed Management
SSR 326-3 Introduction to Forestry and Agroforestry
Sub-total 22 Credit Hours
Total 21 + 22 = 43 Credit Hours
400-Level Courses
First Semester
AGR 400-4AB Agriculture in Practice
AGR 411-3 Farming Systems
AEC 414-3 Resource Economics
SSR 412-3 Soil Fertility Evaluation and Management
SSR 413-4 Soil Survey and Land Evaluation
SSR 414-3 Soil and Water Management
SSR 444-6 Soil Science Project
Sub-total 21 Credit Hours
Second Semester
ANS 421-4 Range Management II
CPS 421-3 Irrigation Agronomy
SSR 422-3 Soil and Environmental Management
SSR 423-3 Land Management
SSR 424-3 Advanced Soil Science
Sub-total 21 Credit Hours
Total 21+21= 42 Credit Hours
Optional Course(s)
AEC 421-3 Agricultural Development Planning
M.Sc. & Ph.D. PROGRAMMES IN SOIL SCIENCE
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The soil science programme in the Faculty of Agriculture is designed to emphasize the understanding of the properties, use and management of soils of the temperate zones with special attention to arid and semi-arid lands. These areas of emphasis also make the research focus of the soil science programme at the National University of Lesotho. The post-graduate programme in the Department of Soil Science will lead to M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Soil Science. The programme will in particular emphasize issues of soils science and land management. The objective is to train students for higher professional positions in the management and administration of soil and land resources; in teaching and research in Colleges and Universities; in research administration and extension in public agencies, parastatals and private organizations.
Land resources inventory, sustained land and water resources management are essential tools in modern agriculture. The teaching and training in this programme are intended to reflect the need to cope up with current global advancement in applied soils science with specific focus to local challenges. While the research focus of the department in
The programme, at both M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels will consists of course work and dissertation work. All courses will be offered through a combination lecture, field practical and seminars.
2. OBJECTIVE OF THE POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMME
a) The post-graduate programme is viewed as an extension of the undergraduate work. Since its inception six years ago the Faculty of Agriculture has turned out over forty graduate Agriculturists, many of whom are still in the field of Agricultural production and can benefit from a post-graduate programme.
b) The basis of the programme is to help the students to acquire the techniques and tools of research, develop their spirit of enquiry and their capacity eventually to make significant contribution to soil science for the benefits of the society.
c) The curriculum is designed for those students who wish to pursue post-graduate work with management, research, extension or teaching objectives in
3. POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN SOIL SCIENCE AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION
3.1 Admission requirements for M.Sc. Soil Science
The post-graduate programme in the department of Soil Science and resource Conservation, Faculty of Agriculture (FOAM), is guided by the regulations and procedures set down by the Board of Post-graduate Studies of the University as well as the FOAM requirements.
In addition to the above requirements applicants for the M.Sc. Degree in Soil Science should have at least a 2nd Division (B.Sc. Degree) in Soil Science, Agriculture and related disciplines from a recognized University. Post-graduate students from Biological Sciences and fields other than Forestry and Agriculture will be required to satisfy pre-requisites to the post-graduate course in Soil Science. This programme will normally be by course work and thesis. However, graduates with at least a 2nd class Honours (Upper Division) in Soil Science from NUL or a recognised university may be given credit for some required courses.
3.2 Fields of Specialization
a) Soil Conservation and Land Management
b) Soil Survey, Land Evaluation and Land Use
c) Soil Fertility Management
d) Soil Chemistry
e) Soil Physics
4. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME
4.1 Master of Science Programme with course work and thesis-Mode II
Students interested in teaching and/or research who have met the admission requirements will be admitted into this programme. Students enrolling in this programme will be required to take core, required (compulsory) and elective courses, unless exempted by the Department committee. The Departmental supervisory committee will guide the students in the selection of elective courses and other pre-requisite courses for core and required (compulsory) courses.
4.1.1 Requirements for Graduation
The minimum requirements for M.Sc. Degree Mode II (in addition to the University and Faculty Requirements).
a) Thirty-six credit hours of course work of post-graduate level (600 and above) plus a minimum of 10 credit hours of thesis.
b) Four semester full-time attendance or six semester part-time attendance from the date of registration. Extension of the programme may be effected by recommendation of the supervisory committee to the graduate Faculty.
c) GPA of B in each semester.
d) Not failing more than two courses in one academic year. Any students who fails more than two courses in one academic year may be asked to withdraw from the programme. A fail grade will be as defined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
e) Maintain a minimum of a B-Grade in all Soil Science courses.
f) Successful oral defence of M.Sc. thesis.
4.2 List of courses for M.Sc. Programme
4.2.1 Compulsory Courses
Course No. Course Designation No. of Credit Hours
601-3 Biometics I 3
602-3 Biometics II 3
603-3 Soil Physics 3
604-3 Soil Chemistry 3
607-4 Soil Survey and Land Evaluation 4
610-3 Fertilizer Technology 3
605-3 Soil Microbiology 3
613-2 Soil Science Seminar 2
Total = 24
Elective Courses
Course No. Course Designation No. of Credit Hours
600 Research Methods 3
606 Soil Biochemistry 3
608 Remote Sensing 4
609 Soil Chemical Measurements 2
611 Soil-Plant-Water Relationship 3
612 Soil and Water Management 3
711 Advanced Topics in Soil Science 3
712 Soil and Water Pollution 3
713 Soil Mineralogy 3
714 Soil Micromorphology 3
715 Soil Physics Chemistry 3
716 Soil Genesis and Classification 3
722 Advanced Soil Fertility 3
1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE Ph.D. PROGRAMME
In addition to the regulations and procedures set down by the Board of Post-Graduate Studies of the University as well as the FOAM requirements, applicants for the Ph.D. degree should have at least an M.Sc., M.Phil or equivalent degree in Soil Science or related field from a recognized university with a B. average pass in Soil Science Courses.
5.1 Fields of Specialization
The programme will emphasize three key areas of specialization:
a) Land resources inventory-survey, classification, mapping and land evaluation including land use.
b) Land management-soil and water resource management, soil and water conservation and irrigation management.
c) Soil fertility evaluation and management.
In addition, to the above key areas of emphasis which are critical to the agricultural development of the
i) Soil physics and agricultural meteorology
ii) Soil chemistry and clay mineralogy
iii) Soil microbiology and biochemistry
iv) Plant nutrition
v) Environment and land management
5.2 Requirements for Graduation
The minimum requirement for Ph.D. degree (in addition to the University and faculty requirements).
1. Fifty credit hours of thesis and course work at post-graduate level. At least 60 percent (30 credits) shall for a thesis. At least 75 percent of the difference (15 credits) shall be made of courses at 700 level. Course work at Masters level shall be considered to partially waive the total requirement for course work credits. This waiver can be effected by approval of the supervising committee.
2. A minimum of six (6) semesters full-time attendance or eight (8) semesters part-time attendance from the date of registration. The residence time may be extended by approval supervisory committee.
3. An average of a “B” grade in all courses taken.
4. Maintain a minimum of a “B” grade in all soil science courses.
5. Passing a comprehensive Oral an/or written examination in the area of specialisation and related fields.
6. Successful defence of Ph.D. thesis