Preamble

Regulations for the Bachelor of Science Agriculture Honours Degree in Horticulture shall apply subject to provisions for both the University and Faculty General regulations. General Faculty Regulations shall normally take precedence over specific degree special regulations where both are read together. This course/degree provides a comprehensive exploration of Horticulture.Students will gain a deep understanding of the key concepts, theories, and applications within this dynamic field. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, hands-on projects, and real world case studies, learners will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to the key learning outcomes in Horticulture. The Bachelor of Science Agriculture Honours Degree in Horticulture is designed for A-level graduates, Agricultural College graduates, Farm managers with prerequisite qualifications, and those with a tertiary qualification, who wish to gain a qualification in Horticulture. The focus of the curriculum in Horticulture is to produce a gradute with knowledge and technical skills in Horticulture coupled with the ability to conduct economic analysis of problems and opportunities in Horticultural production, marketing, International trade of Horticultural products and management. The programme provides a broad, interdisciplinary approach to Horticulture.

Programme Aim

The aim of the degree programme is to prepare students for the professional horticulture in a wide range of contexts and in both primary and secondary settings. Additionally, the programme equips student’s horticultural knowledge and skills to deliver developmental and therapeutic services.

The aim of the Horticulture Degree is to prepare students for success in a wide range of professional contexts by equipping them with horticultural expertise and practical skills. The programme empowers students to apply advanced horticultural methodologies, tools, and technologies to analyse complex problems, inform strategic decision-making, and drive innovation across diverse industries and organisations.

Programme Objectives

Overall, programme objectives are:

• Produce graduates who can master and acquire current skills needed participate in horticultural production systems efficiently and effectively as per current global standards.
• Develop skills in Horticulture which can facilitate full potential of individuals, groups and communities through professional interventions.
• Enhance understanding of the role of Horticulture personnel in solving contemporary horticultural challenges.
• To equip horticulture students with appropriate knowledge, skills and technology to keep pace with the latest international technological developments in the sector.
• To groom scientists who have the technical and practical skills in addition to in-depth knowledge of the science to meet new challenges facing the Zimbabwean Horticultural Industry.
• To develop technology transfer and entrepreneurial skills of students in the area of horticulture and food production.
• To equip students with skills to conduct empirical research on horticulture – livestock systems
• To understand regional and global agricultural policy and strategy and its implications and regional horticultural development.

Entry Requirements

For all entry pathways, candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at grade C or better.

Normal Entry: A minimum of two (2) Advanced Level passes in Agriculture/Crop Science, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Mathematics AND any other relevant science subject.

Special Entry: Special entry may be granted to applicants with a National Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, from a recognized Agricultural College/institution, or any other qualification deemed relevant by the Faculty. For special or Accredited Prior learning, the University general regulations will apply.

Applicants without Mathematics or Mathematics-related courses will be required to do the Foundation course offered by the Women’s University in Africa to enable them to register for the degree programme.

Mature Entry: For mature entry, applicants should be at least twenty-three (23) years old AND should have at least two (2) years relevant industrial experience.

Duration of Programme

The Bachelor of Science Agriculture Honours Degree in Horticulture shall take four years to complete full time. The programme will be offered under Block Release, Convectional, and weekend classes. Lectures will include face to face teaching in addition to on-line lectures.

Continuous Assessment and Examination

Assessment scheme:

Coursework:    40 %

Examination:   60 %.

Students should pass both components, having attended a minimum of 80% of lectures.

Award of degree

The degree shall be awarded in line with the University’s General Academic Regulations. Students should submit dissertations in both hard and soft copy.

Career/Job opportunities

The BSc Horticulture graduates are prepared for career entry positions in areas such as:

• Extension services in the Public Sector/Government Ministry’s Department of Horticulture.
• Horticulture Input supply system inclusive of Agriseeds, Seedco, Klein Karoo Seeds (K₂) etc
• Horticulture Specialists in the Horticulture Promotion Council of Zimbabwe.
• Research officers at the Horticulture Research Centre in Zimbabwe.
• Additionally, employment opportunities exist in parastatals and NGOs offering input support schemes to farmers supporting the Horticultural value chain (e.g. Drip Tech).

Additional Information

All BSc in Horticulture students are expected to do a minimum of twenty-seven (27) core courses in Horticulture. To meet these requirements, students will undertake twenty-seven courses constituting the Minimum Body of Knowledge for the BSc Degree Programme as per the prescribed ZIMCHE standards. In the third year of study, students are expected to go for Professional Attachment for a duration of at least eight calendar months to equip them with skills expected in the Horticulture Value Chain. Similarly, in the final year of study, students carry out a Research Project on an approved Horticulture area of study to solve some of the current challenges faced by practitioners in the industry. In the first year, students shall undertake twelve courses on offer. For a student to proceed to second year, a CGPA of above 2 is required. In second year, candidates shall undertake a minimum of ten courses of study. Similarly, students should attain a minimum of CGPAof 2 for them to proceed to third year. In the third year of study, students are expected to go for Professional Attachment for a minimum of eight calendar months. In order for students to register for the Research Project, students should have passed KAG212 Research Methods in Agriculture. University-wide courses like KCS111 Communication skills and a foreign language will be offered from their respective departments across Faculties.