Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture
Programme Description
The Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture seeks to strengthen and deepen students’ theoretical knowledge required to work effectively and efficiently in the agricultural industry. Its primary purpose is to enable working professionals and registered students to undertake advanced reflection and developmental study in the field of agriculture. It will equip candidates with the required skills to actively interact and engage with peers, clients and other important role players within the agricultural food value chain, and be able to make research-based decisions for addressing agricultural production challenges within the complex world of agricultural and rural transformation. The programme includes the development of broader competencies such as leadership, writing and communication, intellectual independence, skill acquisition on the use of technology innovation as part of their learning tools, problem solving, honesty and integrity. Ultimately, it prepares graduate for further study and research in various agricultural disciplines including crop production, animal and crop product processing, extension and postharvest processing.
Prof Funso Kutu
Admission Requirements:
The minimum entrance requirements are:
An Advanced Diploma in Agriculture or Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at NQF level 7. An aggregate of 60% for the level 7 agriculture modules.
Curriculum Structure:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture comprises of four separate streams each with eight modules. There are three compulsory modules and students will select five additional elective modules depending on their stream of study in the programme.
| Module code |
Module Codes and Description
|
Credits |
Semester |
NQF Level |
Core/
Elective |
| |
Core modules |
|
|
|
|
| PGAG570 |
Agricultural Research Report (project) |
30 |
1 & 2 |
8 |
C |
| PGAG502: |
Statistics and Data analysis |
15 |
2 |
8 |
C |
| PGAG503 |
Special Topics in Agriculture |
15 |
1 |
8 |
C |
| Total credits for core modules |
60 |
|
|
|
| Students will select one stream and then take all modules from the stream |
|
|
|
| Stream 1: Crop production |
|
|
|
|
| PGAG504 |
Advanced field and Horticultural Crop Production |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG505 |
Project Evaluation and Appraisal |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG506 |
Seed Science and Technology |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG507 |
Soil-Plant-Water Relation & Irrigation Management |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG508 |
Crop Production Economics and Risk Management |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| Total credits for stream |
60 |
|
|
|
| Stream 2: Animal Products and Processing |
|
|
|
|
| PGAG509 |
Meat Science |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG510 |
Animal Food Microbiology |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG511 |
Processed Animal Products |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG512 |
Animal Food Safety |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG513 |
Analysis of Animal Products |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| Total credits for stream |
60 |
|
|
|
| Stream 3: Post harvest technology |
|
|
|
|
| PGAG514 |
Food Chemistry and Physiology |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG515 |
Biology of postharvest development, Ripening and Deterioration |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG516 |
Plant Food Quality Control and Management |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG517 |
Postharvest Engineering and Agro-processing |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG518 |
Postharvest Handling and Sanitation |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| Total credits for stream |
60 |
|
|
|
| Stream 4: Agricultural extension |
|
|
|
|
| PGAG519 |
Agricultural Policy Analysis and Food Security |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG520 |
Advanced Philosophy & Principles of Agricultural Extension |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG521 |
Advanced Development Theories in Agricultural Extension |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG522 |
Applied Extension Management and Communication in Rural Context |
12 |
2 |
8 |
E |
| PGAG523 |
Designing Practical Extension Programmes and Projects for Rural Development |
12 |
1 |
8 |
E |
| Total credits for stream |
60 |
|
|
|
| Total credits for Postgraduate Diploma |
120 |
|
|
|
Career Opportunities:
Graduates from the programme will be prepared to continue to further Postgraduate studies at UMP or another university or enter the workplace. Employment opportunities for graduates from the programme will include private farms, National and Provincial departments, Agricultural training and research Institutions including agricultural commodity organizations, and non-governmental or non-profit organizations. Graduates may also continue to Master’s degree in the area of specialization of the Postgraduate Diploma.