Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agriculture


Programme Description:

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agriculture at the University of Mpumalanga is to prepare Doctoral candidates for an academic career in Agriculture by undertaking research at the most advanced levels leading to the submission of a thesis. Graduates from the PhD in Agriculture programme will have demonstrated high level of research capability and made a significant and original contribution at the frontiers of agricultural knowledge. A distinguishing attribute will be the capacity for substantial independent scholarly research under supervision where a doctoral candidate using allocated resources will be expected to make significant contribution to the field of agriculture that will be judged by independent experts applying contemporary standards in the discipline.  
On completion of the PhD in Agriculture, students/candidates will be able to undertake independent agricultural research and report on this to reflect independent thinking, originality, critical analysis and advanced insight in the field of research; demonstrate specialist knowledge and an ability to engage critically with current research in a specialised field of agriculture; generate knowledge and contribute to the better of the society. Furthermore, students/candidates will select, apply and modify where necessary research methods including experimental design, data collection, data analysis and statistics to address peculiar research question in agriculture; manage, collate, critically evaluate, and synthesise information from a range of sources as relevant to the field of specialisation in Agriculture; produce and present a thesis that meets international standards of scholarly writing; use a wide range of appropriate knowledge and skills to identify a problem; within the agricultural systems being studied, and based on the outcomes of the research, draw appropriate conclusions and propose interventions at a policy or management level that would address the problem being research, and fully discuss any possible negative consequences; and identify any ethical issues related to the research and field of study and practically observe and apply ethical considerations in the research undertaken.
The doctor of philosophy in Agriculture is a minimum of two-years (Fulltime) and three years (Part-time) qualification with a total credit of 360. Candidates/students are expected to publish at least one article based on the thesis research to graduate.
 

Admission requirements

The minimum admission requirements for the PhD in Agriculture are:
  • a relevant NQF level 9 Master's degree such as a Masters in Agriculture or an MSc (Agriculture).
  • at least 60% mark in the Master’s degree
 
Module Structure for the programme
Module name Module code Offering No Credits
Full time PhD Research Proposal and Thesis PAGR97F Y2 360
Part time PhD Research Proposal and Thesis PAGR97P Y3 360
 
Contact
Prof Funso R Kutu
Tel: 013 002 0218
Email: Funso.Kutu@ump.ac.za
Office: Building 6, office B001