Master of Science in Crop Protection

Overview

Objectives

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

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.

SCHEDULE OF INTAKE

Students are admitted once every year usually in September with exception of variation that may be caused by unforeseen circumstances. Applications are, however, received all year round and are processed for yearly admission.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements

The following shall be eligible for admission:
1. 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. A holder of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honours in any of the degrees specified in common admission regulations above with two years of relevant experience or a postgraduate diploma in common admission regulations or equivalent from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by senate.
  3. A holder of a pass degree with a postgraduate diploma in the above relevant disciplines or its equivalent from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by the senate and two (2) years of relevant experience
  4. A holder of a pass degree in any of the degree categories specified in common admission regulations with at least five years’ relevant work experience.
Credit Transfers and Exemptions
1. 1. A candidate may be exempted from taking some course units and be allowed to transfer credits of the same up to a maximum of one third (⅓) of the taught units provided that these are from institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  2. A candidate seeking transfer of credit shall send a formal application to the Academic Registrar, through the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, justifying and supporting the request. The supporting documents shall include an official transcript indicating courses that may be equivalent and descriptions and syllabi/ outlines of the courses in which the applicant is seeking transfers of credit or an exemption.
  3. Transfer of credits shall be processed only after payment of the prescribed non-refundable fees.

Application for admission to Master programmes

Visit: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/

Careers

Career Prospects/Attachment Opportunities

Agricultural extension officer
Researcher
Farm manager
Extension and outreach services
Food and Agricultural organizations
Agronomist
Non-Governmental Organizations
Entrepreneurial self-employment in agricultural production
All round careers like banking and co-operative societies

Fees and Funding

Item	Year 1	Year 2	TOTAL (Ksh)
Registration	4,500	4,500	9,000
Tuition (KES 20,000/ unit)	260,000	160,000	420,000
Examination	13,000	-	13,000
Thesis Supervision	-	100,000	100,000
Thesis Examination	-	30,000	30,000
Laboratory and field fee	124,000	124,000	248,000
ICT services	7,000	7,000	14,000
Library	5,000	5,000	10,000
ID Card	1,000	1,000	2,000
Caution money (Refundable)	5,000	-	5,000
Medical fee	6,500	6,500	13,000
Activity Fee	2,000	2,000	4,000
Student organization	1,000	1,000	2,000
Total	429,000	441,000	870,000

Additional Charges (Ksh)

Convocation - 1,000
Late registration - 1,000
Retention of registration* - 2,250/ semester
Extension of studentship - 10,000/ semester
Remark of examination - 1,000/ paper
Issuance of transcripts - 500
Appeal - 1,000
Replacement of lost ID card - 500
Thesis processing - 8,000
Extension of Correction period - 2,000 per month
Extension of revision period - 3,000 per month
Extension of supervision period - 6,000
Examination of revised thesis - 9,000
Hire of academic dress - 4,000

*For students who defer, or temporarily withdraw from their studies

Guidelines for research money for the MSc degree is approximately KES 200,000 but the actual cost will depend on the type of research.

Philosophy, Rationale

COURSE DURATION: Two (2) years

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of this programme is to 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

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 the need for compliance to the phytosanitary and quality standards by the producers. The transformation in the agricultural sector and the market requirements calls for the development of new pest and disease management strategies, new products and well-trained human resources. In addition, market liberalization has resulted in the import of different types of crop protection products, crop products and planting materials into the country. This calls for stringent measures to curb the entry of insect pests, diseases, noxious and invasive weeds that are capable of destroying various crop enterprises and the environment. The programme will produce competent crop protection professionals who will be capable of handling all issues relating to crop health stresses, their management and making enlightened decisions in this field.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the MSc programme, the learner should be able to:

Describe the causes of crop health stresses and the damage they cause on crop plants.
Analyze the current and emerging crop health challenges affecting agricultural production and food safety.
Analyze and design cost-effective and environmentally safe crop disease, pest and weed management strategies.
Apply the current phytosanitary policies regulating movement and trade in agricultural commodities.
Apply appropriate research methodologies in data acquisition, analysis, packaging and presentation of research data.
Design effective methods to communicate and disseminate research findings and innovations.

Application Information

Visit: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/

Mode of Delivery

The programme shall be offered through face-to-face, blended learning and Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODeL) modes of delivery.

Face-to-Face Mode

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
1. Relevant literature
2. 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.