Overview
Philosophy, Rationale
The philosophy of the Master of Science in Crop Protection is to train and produce world-class University graduates who will provide leadership and excel in the field of Crop and environmental protection. The programme will provide quality training that embodies the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge. The hallmark of the training will be innovation, creativity, freedom of thought and expression and excellence, taking into account the prevailing national and international policies.
Rationale of the Programme:Needs assessment/market survey/situation analysis
Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy and represents about 24 per cent of GDP. Agricultural produce accounts for 65 per cent of Kenya’s total exports and the sector accounts for 18 per cent of total formal employment in the country. One of the major challenges in crop production is the losses caused by diseases, pests and weeds. The extensive indiscriminate use of pesticides has contributed to harmful effects on humans, non-target organisms, biodiversity and quality of produce. The export and local markets are continually demanding high quality agricultural produce that is free of chemical and microbial contaminants. This has resulted in more stringent market requirements and need for compliance to the phytosanitary and quality standards by the producers. The transformation in the agricultural sector and the market requirements calls for development of new pest and disease management strategies, new products and well-trained human resource. In addition, market liberalization has resulted in import of different types of crop protection products, crop products and planting materials into the country. This calls for stringent measures to curb entry of insect pests, diseases, noxious and invasive weeds that are capable of destroying various crop enterprises and the environment.
The objectives are to enable students to:
1.1 Acquire knowledge and skills to offer advisory services in all matters related to crop and environmental protection.
1.2 Design and execute research programmes aimed at solving crop and environmental protection problems.
1.3 Collect, analyse, interpret and present data in crop and environmental protection experiments.
1.4 Acquire competence in pesticide safe handling, usage, disposal and monitoring their fate in the Environment.
1.5 Manage crop and environmental protection issues including integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) and other environmentally safe procedures.
1.6 To acquire entrepreneurial skills for use in creating employment opportunities
Mode of Delivery
The programme shall be offered through face-to-face, blended learning and Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODeL) modes of delivery.
The face-to-face method of delivery will be through class room lectures, seminars, discussions, tutorials, guided practical experiments and demonstrations.
Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL)
The open, distance and electronic learning (ODeL) modes of delivery will be through home and/ or office-based media using variety of self-instructional electronic and online self-study materials, including:
i. Written self-instructional study modules issued at registration time
- Study course materials like booklets
- Relevant literature
- Online interactive devices and self-tests
ii. Mediated technical learning materials for example:-
- Audio visual
- e-learning materials
iv. Limited face-to-face sessions to provide overview of the course at commencement of semester, mid semester and revision period before examinations.
v. The University of Nairobi study support centres and libraries at the University of Nairobi and other institutions.
vi. Orientation immediately after registration:
- Orientation in ODeL delivery.
- Study, reading and use of online study materials.
- Time management and techniques of handling assignments.
- Mentorship, guidance and counselling.
Blended learning
The blended learning mode of delivery will combine face-to-face and online learning approaches.
- Use online tools and resources such as Google Classroom, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Moodle and Blackboard.
- Hands-on practical exercises in the laboratory or field, face-to-face group work in a classroom and face-to-face tutorials between online lessons.
- Use of cloud-based content and learning course management system application to connect with students online. The online platforms will allow students to access videos of lectures, track assignments, interact with the lecturers and classmates, and review supporting materials such as PowerPoint presentations and scholarly articles.
Contacts of support persons
Dean Faculty of Agriculture
Tel:0204916003
email address:deanagric@uonbi.ac.ke
Structure
4.0 COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
The programme will be offered as full time, part time and through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) for students who cannot attend regular University programmes.
4.1 Full-Time
4.1.1 The degree program shall consist of coursework, examinations and thesis.
4.1.2 The course shall cover a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 6 semesters and each semester will be 15 weeks.
4.1.3 Each candidate will be required to take and pass all courses.
4.1.4 Each candidate will be required to undertake a research project leading to an examinable thesis. The choice of the thesis research topic shall be made in consultation with the department and the academic supervisor.
4.1.5 Each course unit shall have 45 hours covered in one semester.
4.2. Part time
As in 4.1 above in addition to the following:
4.2.1 The course shall cover a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 8 semesters and each semester will be 15 weeks.
4.2.2 A student shall be required to take a minimum of two and a maximum of four courses in one semester.
4.3. Open and Distance e-Learning
The mode of delivery of the Masters programme will be through open and distance learning modes involving largely home and/ or office-based media:
4.3.1 Written self instructional study modules issued at registration time
i. Study course materials like booklets
ii. Relevant literature iii. Interactive devices and self tests
4.3.2 Mediated technical learning materials for example:-
i. Audio visual
ii. e-learning materials
4.3.3 Limited face-to-face sessions to provide overview of the course at commencement of semester, mid semester and revision period before examinations.
4.3.4 Support study centers at the University of Nairobi
i. Access to information through computers at the University of Nairobi.
ii. Use of libraries at the University of Nairobi.
4.3.6 Orientation (immediately after registration):
i. Orientation in ODL delivery.
ii. Study, reading and computer skills.
iii. Time management and techniques of handling assignments.
iv. Mentorship, guidance and counseling.
v. Emphasis is on satellite centers that serve as a link between the University and the student in the following manner:
registration, collecting reading materials, collecting results and programmes, examination information, posting timetable and holding meetings.
4.3.7 Duration and the course load of the programmes.
The Open and Distance Learning programme will run for a minimum of 4 semesters of 15 weeks each and a maximum of 8 semesters of 15 weeks each.
There will be three semesters per academic year. Therefore, the minimum calendar years for completion of the programme shall be 2 years and a maximum of 4 years.
The minimum course load per semester will be 2 course units studied through the 15 weeks. Each course unit in the programme has a loading of a minimum of 45 hours. The thesis shall be equivalent to 8 course units.
Admission Requirements
2.0 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The common regulations governing Master’s degree in the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Agriculture shall apply.
2.1 A holder of a degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Botany and Zoology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Horticulture or related plant science degree or Bachelor of Education in Science with botany and Zoology option and any other relevant subject from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate.
2.2 A holder of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honours in any of the disciplines specified in 2.1 above with two years of relevant experience or a postgraduate diploma in 2.1 above or equivalent from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate.
2.3 A holder of a pass degree in the disciplines specified 2.1 above with at least five years work experience in agricultural related field.
3.0 TRANSFER OF CREDITS
A candidate may be exempted from some course units and credits transferred from institutions approved by University of Nairobi Senate subject to the following conditions:
3.1 Must have passed in similar course units at postgraduate Masters level or equivalent.
3.2 The applicant can only transfer up to a maximum of one third of the course units.
3.3 The applicant must request for exemption in writing on admission through the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture to the Director of the Board of Postgraduate Studies.
3.4 The application for credit transfer must be accompanied by officially endorsed supporting documents, including the institution’s syllabus for the relevant courses and academic transcripts.
3.5 The applicant must pay the appropriate exemption fees as determined by the University
Careers
Crop Specialists
Fees and Funding
| Year 1 | Year 2 | ||||
| Semester - 1 | Semester - 2 | Semester - 3 | Semester - 4 | Totals | |
| TUITION | 192,000.00 | 192,000.00 | 192,000.00 | 192,000.00 | 768,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6,000.00 | 6,000.00 | - | - | 12,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 | - | 14,000.00 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | - | - | 30,000.00 | 30,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 9,000.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | - | - | - | 5,000.00 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | - | 6,500.00 | - | 13,000.00 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000.00 | - | 5,000.00 | - | 10,000.00 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 | - | 4,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 |
| Grand totals | 227,750.00 | 200,250.000 | 216,750.00 | 224,250.00 | 869,000.00 |
Exam Regulations
6.1. Written examinations
6.1.1 Each course shall be examined by a written paper lasting three hours at the end of each
semester in which the course is given.
6.1.2 The coursework assessment shall account for 30% and written examinations for 70% of
the final mark.
6.1.3 The pass mark for each course shall be 50 %.
6.1.4 The grading of the courses shall be as follows:
A = 70% and above;
B = 60 – 69%;
C = 50 -59%;
D = 0 – 49% (fail)
6.1.5 A candidate who fails in any paper may, on the recommendation of the Board of
Examiners, and approval by the Senate be allowed to take up to two supplementaries in
failed papers after paying the appropriate fees.
6.1.6 A candidate who fails in the second supplementary or fails to complete the programme
in the prescribed maximum duration of 8 semesters shall, on the recommendation of the
Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate, be discontinued.
6.1.7 The mark for a supplementary paper shall be recorded as 50% in the candidate’s
academic record.
6.2. Thesis examination
6.2.1 Each student shall present a seminar on the thesis research proposal.
6.2.2 Each candidate shall submit for examination a thesis, with the approval of the academic
supervisors, at the end of the final semester. The thesis shall be examined in accordance
with the common regulations of the University of Nairobi.
6.2.3 A candidate who fails in the thesis examination may on the recommendation of the
Faculty Board of examiners be allowed to resubmit the thesis within six months up to a
maximum of two times.
6.2.4 A candidate who fails after the second resubmission or fails to complete the course in
the prescribed period shall, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval
by Senate, be discontinued.
7.0 AWARD OF DEGREE
Candidates who satisfy the examiners in all written and thesis examinations shall be awarded a
Master of Science degree in Crop Protection.
