Faculty of Agriculture
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE (FOA)Department of Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Technology
MSc./MPhil./PhD in Soil & Water Conservation & Management
Introduction
Situated in the Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana, the University is at the heart of the area with the largest rural population and lowest income, with migratory problems and the highest erosion and land degradation in the country. It is very clear that the proposed Programme will help address some of the country’s pertinent problems, such as degradation of natural resources which is a major area of concern for both government and donor organizations supporting Ghana’s sustainable development.
Objective
The objectives of the programme are therefore to:
- Train the requisite manpower to conduct research into soil and water management problems
- To train personnel to engage in these issues at levels of community as well as relevant public and private agencies; and
- To conduct research and obtain solutions to pertinent soil and water management technology problems.
Programme Structure
MSc. Programme
This full-time programme consists of course work and a research project. Course work will be conducted over a period of three trimesters of 14 weeks each. The entire programme duration will be about 24 months or 2 academic years with approximately 18 months course work and six months for the project.
MPhil. Programme
For the MPhil. degree a full year of research work will be required following the completion of course work. The course work will be conducted over a period of three trimesters of 14 weeks each.
PhD Programme
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be awarded on the basis of a research programme in which, a candidate has made an original and significant contribution to knowledge.
Eligibility and Duration
To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree programme, a student must have obtained a Master’s degree from this University or its equivalent from any other University recognized by the Academic Board of this University. Candidates with first class honours degrees in cognate areas (specific requirements for different programmes) may be admitted to a preliminary year and be assigned prescribed courses which must be passed at the B+ level (65% or higher) before formal commencement of the programme may be allowed. A candidate may choose to do the programme on full-time or part-time basis, but the first academic year of the programme (for both categories) will be fully residential. The minimum duration (excluding preliminary year) shall be 3 years (4 years for part-time), and maximum allowed is 5 years (6 years part-time).
Registration
Registration for the Doctor of Philosophy degree programme shall be on full-time or part-time basis. Registration formalities shall be completed within the first three weeks of the commencement of the semester beyond which there shall be a penalty of an amount set by the Academic Board for late registration up to the fifth week of commencement of the semester. Registration shall lapse at the end of each academic session and shall be renewed at the beginning of new academic sessions.
Every candidate shall renew his registration at the beginning of each academic session throughout the normal duration of the degree programme as specified above. However, if a candidate does not complete the degree programme within the maximum duration allowed, he shall normally be expected to withdraw from the programme unless his case is favourably reviewed by Academic Board on the recommendation of the relevant Faculty and Graduate School Boards.
Course Registration
Candidates for the PhD degree shall normally be expected to register only for their Research Seminar and Thesis. However, a candidate may, if considered necessary, be required to register for an approved combination of courses on the recommendation of the Departmental/Faculty Board. List of such courses must be made available to the Board of Graduate School.
Assessment
- Candidates for the PhD degree shall be assessed within twelve months of registration by means of a comprehensive Examination or seminar.
- Candidates who fail to attain a satisfactory level of performance shall be advised to withdraw from the programme.
- The level of performance shall be determined by the Departmental Postgraduate committee.
Requirements for the Award
- A candidate for the PhD degree shall prepare and submit a thesis which shall embody his original research carried out substantially during the period of his registration and making definite contribution to scholarship.
- The title of thesis shall be submitted through the Faculty Board to the Board of Postgraduate School for approval at least three months before examination.
- The thesis shall be examined by a panel of examiners comprising an External Examiner, the Head of Department as Chairman, at least one supervisor, one other internal Examiner selected from a related Department in the University and the Departmental Postgraduate programme Co-ordinator where the Head of Department is the sole supervisor, a suitable academic staff of the Department shall be selected as a member of the panel of Examiners. The Postgraduate School shall be represented in all oral Examinations.
- The Department shall send a report of the outcome of the examination to the Graduate School not later than five (5) working days after the oral Examination.
- Where a thesis is referred, it must be submitted for re-examination within one calendar year. It may only be re-submitted once.
- Where a panel of Examiners recommends minor corrections to be effected in a thesis, subject to the satisfaction of the internal Examiners, such corrections should be effected within three months.
- Five copies of the bound thesis shall be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School who shall distribute the copies as follows:
- One copy to the University Library
- One copy to the College Library
- One copy to the Graduate School
- One copy to the Department
- One copy to the Student
- One copy to the major supervisor
- After due processing, the Faculty shall submit the Examiner’s Report along with three hard – bound copies of the thesis to the secretary of the Graduate School. All copies of thesis submitted shall become property of the University.
- A candidate shall not be qualified for the award of a Doctorate Degree until he has passed all prescribed courses, submitted a satisfactory thesis, passed his oral examination and spent not less than the minimum number or more than the maximum number of semesters stipulated for the programme.
Conditions of Award
At the end of the examination, the examiners shall recommend any of the following as may be appropriate:
- That the degree be awarded without further amendments to the thesis.
- That the degree be awarded after some corrections or amendments have been made (and shall list those items to be corrected / amended)
- That the thesis be re – examined after major corrections / revisions would have been carried out (and they shall specify the defects)
- That the degree is not awarded (and they shall give detailed reasons).
Postgraduate Supervision
Each student shall have a supervisory team of 2 to 4, constituted by the Department Board with at least one person from the primary area of study. The research work shall normally be carried out under the guidance of the supervisory committee of academic staff appointed by the Academic Board on the recommendation of the Board of the Graduate school. There shall be a major supervisor.
No lecturer without a research degree, preferably a PhD, will be allowed to supervise a graduate student or serve on the supervisory committee. No supervisor shall normally be allowed to supervise more than eight postgraduate students (at the same time).
Admission Requirements
Candidates with First Class or Second Class Upper Division Degree in Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Engineering, or Agriculture or Soil Science or allied related courses from a recognized university may gain direct entry into the master’s programme. Candidates with Second Class Lower Division or Graduate Diploma will be interviewed prior to admission into the programme.
A potential candidate for PhD degree must provide proof of having already obtained MSc, MEng. or an MPhil. degree in a related field to qualify for admission.
MSc./MPhil./PhD Post Harvest Technology
Introduction
The MSc/MPhil/PhD programme is designed to address the need for effective post harvest technologies and enhancement of agriculturists’ income levels.
Objectives of the Programme
The objectives of the programme therefore are:
- To train the requisite manpower to conduct research,
- To train personnel to engage in agro-processing to address post harvest issues in communities and industry, and
- To conduct research and obtain solutions to pertinent postharvest technology problems.
Candidates with First Class or Second Class Upper Division Degree in Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Engineering or allied related courses from a recognized university may gain direct entry. All other candidates will be interviewed prior to admission into the programme.
A potential candidate for PhD degree must provide proof of having already obtained MSc, MEng or an MPhil. degree in a related field to qualify for admission.
Programme Structure and Duration
The programme would be conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, UDS. The programme shall be conducted on a course unit basis according to the format developed by UDS. This full-time programme consists of course work and an independent research project.
Course work will be conducted over a period of three trimesters of 14 weeks each. The entire programme duration will be 18 months, with further six months for the research project
For MPhil. degree, a full year of research work will be required following the completion of course work.
Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension
MSc./MPhil./PhD Innovation Communication
Introduction
The programme comprises three options, namely, MSc., MPhil. and PhD in Innovation Communication.
Programme Structure
MSc. Programme
The MSc. programme will be a one-year (12 months) taught course that will end with the production of a project paper by the student as part of the requirements for the completion of the programme. The student will have to take all the compulsory core courses for the two trimesters. The third trimester will be dedicated to the writing of a Project Paper.
This programme will target mainly practitioners in the field who wish to upgrade themselves to make them more effective and efficient on the job. This will lead to the award of an MSc. in Innovation Communication.
Preparation of papers for seminar presentation will be an integral part of the programme. Each student will be required to present one seminar per trimester. The choice of topic will be at the discretion of the student in consultation with the HOD/supervisor.
MPhil. Programme
The Mphil. programme is a two-year (24 months) programme that will end with a supervised written thesis by the student. All students in this programme will go through compulsory core courses in the first year (1st and 2nd Trimesters). In the 3rd Trimester students will follow two elective courses of their choice as part of the preparation for the supervised thesis work in the second year. Students of this programme will be attached to districts as assistant supervisors during the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP) for 4 weeks to enable them have hands-on practice of the theory they have gone through in the first and second trimesters. Each student would write a report at the end of the programme. The second year will be devoted to thesis and each student will be supervised by at least one supervisor/lecturer.
Preparation of papers for seminar presentation will be an integral part of the programme. Each student will be required to present one seminar per month? The choice of topic will be at the discretion of the student in consultation with the HOD/supervisor.
For this MPhil. programme, it is a requirement that by the end of the first year the research proposal (a prelude to the thesis preparation) should be ready and each student will be required to present the proposal in a seminar session for review by his peers as well as faculty.
PhD Programme
The programme is purely research, which will end in the production of a supervised thesis. It will last for 3 years. Admission into the programme will be restricted to those with MPhil. degrees or their equivalent. Students who would have gone through the MPhil. programme run by the Department will start their PhD thesis without taking any courses. The first six months of the first year will be devoted to the writing of a researchable proposal. The proposal will be defended at a seminar series before the start of fieldwork. Those with degrees equivalent to the MPhil from other institutions will be required to audit some core courses based on their background in addition to the elective courses. This will be done during the first trimester of the first year. They would also have to write and defend researchable proposals.
Eligibility (Admission Requirements)
The masters’ programmes (MSc. and MPhil.) are open to candidates with good first degree in agriculture and related fields. The candidate should normally have a minimum of 2nd Class Honours (Upper Division) from a recognised university. Applicants with 2nd Class Honours (Lower Division) could also be considered for admission, especially for the MSc. programme. All applicants would have to go through interview before the final selection.
Applicants to the PhD programme should have an MPhil. in Innovation Communication or Agricultural Extension or their equivalent from a recognized university. In addition they would be required to submit a 2-page proposal indicating the topic of their research, a brief background, problem statement, objectives and methodology.
Applicants with MSc. degrees would take some stipulated core courses (MIC 502; MIC 505a &b; MIC 507; MIC 510 and two elective courses). They would also be required to write a 2-page researchable proposal.
MSc./MPhil./PhD Agricultural Economics
Introduction
The programme comprises three options, namely, MSc. Agricultural Economics,
M.Phil. Agricultural Economics and PhD Agricultural Economics
Programme Structure
MSc.
The M.Sc. programme will be a one-year (12 months, 3 trimesters) taught course that will end with the production of a term paper by the student as part of the requirements for the completion of the programme. The student will have to take all the compulsory core courses for the two trimesters and at least two electives. Students shall take part in third trimester supervision and produce a Term Paper out of it, which will be examined. This programme will target mainly practitioners in the field who wish to upgrade themselves to make them more effective and efficient on the job.
MPhil . Successful candidates will be admitted into the M.Sc. programme. Candidate’s performance after two trimesters of teaching will be the criteria for deciding whether he continues to the MPhil. programme. A student who qualifies to continue to MPhil. or PhD can however decide to obtain a terminal MSc.
Candidates who qualify from the M.Sc. to read the M.Phil. programme will continue for one more year. They will take 2 elective courses of their choice before proceeding to the period of thesis work. It will end with a supervised written thesis by the student. Each student will be supervised by one or two supervisors.
The two elective courses should be courses that will throw more light on the area of the student’s thesis as well as topical national issues. Candidates with MSc. from other institutions other than UDS may be required to audit some relevant courses in consultation with their supervisors. An MPhil. candidate will be expected to deliver at least three seminars, one at the beginning introducing his proposed research. Upon approval by the Department Board the student shall continue with his/her supervisor(s). The second presentation shall be a progress of work. A candidate who does not show seriousness at this stage may be advised to terminate the programme. A third seminar will be presented to show findings of the research. Candidates would be expected to defend their thesis.
PhD
The programme is purely a research one that will end in the production of a supervised thesis. It will last for 4 years with a possible extension by one year under extreme situations. Admission into the programme will be restricted to those with MPhil. degrees or their equivalent. Students who would have gone through the MPhil. programme run by the department will start their PhD thesis without taking any courses. The first six months of the first year will be devoted to the writing of a researchable proposal. The proposal will be defended in seminar series before the start of field work. Those with degrees equivalent to the MPhil. from other institutions will be required to audit some core courses based on their background in addition to the elective courses in consultation with their supervisors. This will be done during the first and second trimesters of the first year. All students would be required to present a seminar in each trimester on progress of work. Any student found not to be serious with his work or not capable of completing the thesis may be advised to terminate the programme. At the end of the programme the candidate will be expected to have a public defense of his thesis.
Eligibility (Admission Requirements)
Eligible candidates for admission should normally be BSc. graduates with a minimum of Second Class Lower Division or its equivalent in relevant disciplines from recognized universities. They will be selected by a rigorous interview process.
M.Sc. holders who would want to upgrade themselves may also be considered for the MPhil. programme.
The minimum requirement for a PhD programme should be an MPhil. or its equivalent from a recognized University.
Department of Agronomy
MSc./MPhil./PhD Agronomy
Introduction
The programme entails the following options: MSc./MPhil./PhD in Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Crop Protection, Plant Pathology and Weed Science.
Programme Structure
MSc.
Successful candidates may be allowed to continue to MPhil. or PhD depending on their performance after two trimesters of teaching. A student who qualifies to continue to MPhil. or PhD can opt for a terminal MSc.
The MSc. programme will be one-year (12 months, 3 trimesters) taught course that will end with the production of a dissertation by the student as part of the requirements for the completion of the programme. The student will have to take all the compulsory/ core courses for the two trimesters and at least two electives per trimester. This programme will target mainly Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) staff and other practitioners in the field who wish to upgrade themselves. Successful candidates shall be awarded MSc. in Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Crop Protection, Plant Pathology or Weed Science.
MPhil.
Candidates who qualify from the MSc. to read the MPhil. programme will continue for one more year. They will take a minimum of three elective courses of their choice before proceeding to the period of thesis work. It will end with a supervised written thesis by the student. Each student will be supervised by one or two supervisors.
The duration of the MPhil. programme shall be a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years.
PhD
The programme is purely research, which will end in the production of a supervised thesis. It will last for a minimum of 4 years. Admission into the programme will be restricted to those with MPhil. degrees or their equivalent. Students who would have gone through the MPhil. programme run by the department will start their PhD thesis without taking any courses. However, students from other institutions with degrees equivalent to an MPhil. may be advised to audit some courses to make up the deficiencies that may be identified by their supervisory committees and/or supervisors. Within the first 6-7 months of the start of the programme, each student will be required to present and defend a researchable proposal at a public seminar. Between the first seminar presentation and the final one, candidates must present a progress report for scrutiny by their supervisory committees. Depending on performance, a student could be advised by the supervisory committee to withdraw. At the end of the programme the candidate will be expected to have a public defense of his thesis, after which the thesis will be examined by two internal examiners and one external examiner. If a student fails to achieve the required standard for the award of a PhD degree, the Board of Graduate School may consider awarding an MPhil. degree to such a candidate.
Eligibility (Admission Requirements)
Eligible candidates for admission should normally be holders of a BSc. degree with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division or its equivalent in relevant disciplines from recognized universities. Applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed for admission. MSc. holders who would want to upgrade themselves may also be considered for the MPhil. programme.
The minimum requirement for a PhD programme should be an MPhil. or its equivalent from a recognized University.
Department of Horticulture
MSc./MPhil./PhD Horticulture
Objective:
The programme is designed to provide advanced instruction in horticulture to equip students with knowledge and understanding in horticulture. This will help fill or reduce the professional gap in the horticultural industry. It will prepare students for careers in Fruits (Pomology), Vegetable Crop Science/ Production (Olericulture) and Ornamental horticulture.
Programme Structure and Duration
MSc.
This is a full-time programme comprising of course work and a research project. The MSc. programme will be a one-year (12 months, 3 trimesters) taught course that will end with the production of a dissertation by the student as part of requirements for the completion of the programme. The student will have to take all the compulsory core courses for two trimesters and at least two electives per trimester. The third trimester will be for TTFPP and a dissertation will be presented for examination. This programme will target mainly staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), teachers of Ghana Education Service (G.E.S) and other practitioners in the field who wish to upgrade themselves to make them more effective and efficient on the job. Successful candidates shall be awarded MSc. Horticulture degree
MPhil.
Students will take three elective courses of their choice before proceeding to the period of thesis work. The three elective courses should be courses that will throw more light on the area of student’s thesis as well as topical national issues. It will end with a supervised written thesis by the student which will be taken from an aspect of one of the following options; olericulture (vegetables), pomology (fruits), post harvest and seed technology, landscape studies and floriculture. Each student will be supervised by one or two supervisors
The entire programme will have a minimum duration of two academic years and a maximum of three years. If a student fails to achieve the requirements for the award of an MPhil. degree, the Board of Graduate Studies may consider the candidate for the award of MSc. degree.
An MPhil. candidate will be expected to deliver at least three seminars, one at the beginning introducing his proposed research. Upon approval by the Department Board the student shall continue with his/her supervisor (s). The second presentation shall be progress of work. A candidate who does not show seriousness at this stage may be advised to terminate the programme. A third seminar will be presented to show findings of the research. Candidates will
PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy programme is a three year full time course spread over nine trimesters. Students will undertake a major research in any of the options of Horticulture and will be assessed mainly by seminars, annual reports, viva and thesis. PhD candidates will be expected to deliver at least a seminar annually. In addition, a candidate shall submit an annual report after which he/she shall be invited for mini viva by internal examiner(s) who will recommend whether the candidate should continue or terminate the programme.
The following research training courses shall be mandatory for PhD students: Nature of PhD and its supervision process; Planning research and time management; Power point presentations; How to prepare an effective poster presentation; MS Excel functionality entering, formatting and storing data; Data exploration and graphing; Exploiting the power of MS Word Long documents; Finishing your thesis; Preparing for the viva. Candidates may also sit in for any MSc./MPhil. module that will be beneficial to their studies.
Admission Requirements
MSc. Programme
Applicants with First Class or Second Class Upper Division Degree in Agricultural Technology / Agriculture, or from Biological Sciences or related courses from recognized universities may gain direct admission to pursue MSc. programmes. Applicants with Second Class Lower Division degree will be interviewed for admission.
MPhil. programme
Applicants with First Class or Second Class Upper Division Degree in Agricultural Technology / Agriculture (Horticulture option) from recognized universities may gain direct admission to pursue MPhil. Programme. Successful candidates who qualify from the MSc. programme run by the department to read the MPhil. programme will continue for one more year.
PhD Programme
Admission into the PhD programme will be restricted to those with MPhil./ MSc. degree with research or their equivalent. Admission will require researchable proposals.
Department of Animal Science
MSc./MPhil./PhD in Meat Science and Technology
Introduction
The scientific study of food as a discipline is a development that reflects the increasing awareness of the fact that the eating of quality food is determined by the logical sequence along the food chain, that is, from production through handling, processing, and preparation to the point of consumption. Apart from the problems of preserving the attributes of eating quality and nutritive value, meat science is becoming increasingly concerned with enhancing the biological value and yield of meat to satisfy the growing world population.
Philosophy
Meat and meat products are an important component of the diet of most Ghanaians. Consumers of meat and other meat products in Ghana are conscious of the health implications of the products they buy. Several questions have been raised concerning the general standard of slaughtering and the conditions of animals slaughtered for sale at the abattoirs in Ghana.
Basic Principles
Meat production and processing involves converting fresh meat into value-added products. Quality meat products can only be obtained from quality and hygienically produced raw material (meat). Processed products that can be made from meat include; intact muscle cured and smoked into bacon and ham and comminuted products such as sausages, minced meat and burgers. Comminution is achieved by mincing/ grinding and bowl chopping or flaking. Advantages of comminution are breaking up of connective and fat tissues thereby modifying the texture of meat, increasing the economic value of less quality part, resulting in the development of meat products with improved texture and taste.
There exist serious shortcomings with regard to general meat hygiene and meat handling practices in both rural and urban areas in the country. To some extent, it is due to the lack of adequate facilities in the meat sector and the attitude of the personnel in the meat trade. There is lack of adequate scientific knowledge and skills in hygienic slaughtering, meat cutting and handling, which presents a serious constraint to the development of viable meat production in this country.
The Objectives of the Course are to:
- Equip students with the scientific and practical knowledge in the hygienic slaughtering, handling, processing (value addition), and proper storage of animal products for maximum returns, which will in turn create ready market for livestock farmers;
- Also provide basic skills/capacity necessary for the management and operation of viable meat production and processing ventures in Ghana and Africa
Admission Requirement
Applicants with First Class or Second Class Upper Division Degree in Agricultural Technology /Agriculture (Animal Science option) or from Biological Science, Food Science or allied related courses from recognized universities may gain direct admission. Applicants with Second Class lower Division Degree or Postgraduate Diploma will be interviewed for admission.
Programme Structure and Duration
The programme shall be conducted according to the course unit format of the University for Development Studies and the programme will be conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, UDS. The entire programme will have duration of two academic years, one year for course work and one for project work.