Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya - School of Agriculture and Biotechnology

MOI UNIVERSITY
Eldoret, Kenya
Founded in 1984


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SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Department of Soil Science - Bachelor of Science in Soils and Land Use Management

Introduction

Soil is an important natural resource on which many of our requirements such as provision of food and shelter depend on. The B. Sc. in Soils and Land Use Management is offered in the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology. It is designed to provide fundamental knowledge of soils and land use management for sustainable agricultural production, forestry, wildlife management and environmental protection. The programme puts emphasis on practical application of knowledge of soil as a basic resource upon which other natural resources and agriculture depend on the dynamic ecosystem management for sustainable land development.

Objectives

To apply principles of soil science, other related sciences and economics in the management of soils and the land.

To provide extension services in soil fertility, soil/water conservation and land use management.

To carry out land evaluation, land use impact assessment and provide advisory services on agribusiness.

To conduct basic and applied research in soils and land use management.

To use the acquired practical and theoretical knowledge for postgraduate studies.

Design of the Programme

The various courses are offered in each academic year and a student in consultation with the course advisor can design the plan of study so as to enable the student to complete the programme effectively and efficiently. It should be noted, however, that quite a number of courses are offered in particular Semesters only and this should be considered while deciding on how to complete the programme.

Course Structure

Year 1
Semester I

Course Code	Course Title	Units
BOT 110	Basic Botany I	3
CHE 110	Basic Chemistry I	3
CRS 100	Introduction to E. African Agriculture	2
IRD 100	Communication Skills I	3
IRD 103	Development Concepts and Application	3
MAT 110	Basic Calculus	3
PHY 110	Basic Physics I	4
Sub-total of units		21

Semester II

Course Code	Course Title	Units
BOT 111	Basic Botany II	3
CHE 111	Basic Chemistry II	4
PHY 111	Basic Physics II	4
MAT 111	Geometry and Elementary Applied Mathematics	3
IRD 102	Communication Skills II	3
IRD 104	Quantitative Skills	3
SSC 102	Introduction to Soil Science	4
Sub-total of units		24

Year 2

Semester I

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SSC 211	Soil Materials and Formation	3
SSC 221	Soil Survey and Classification	3
SSC 251	Gender in Agricultural Land Use	2
ABE 241	Land Survey, Soil and Water Conservation	3
CRS 112	Principles of Crop Production	3
ANS 220	Principles of Animal Production	3
CRS 212	Agroclimatology and Ecology	3
IRD 200	State, Society and Development	3
Sub-total of units		23

Semester II

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SSC 290	Soils and Land Use Management Practicum	3
ABE 293	Soil Erosion and Management	3
CRS 211	Crop Physiology	3
ARE 252	Basic Agricultural Economics	3
ABT 212	Principles of Agricultural Biotechnology	3
ABE 281	Agricultural Power and Machinery	3
CHE 212	Basic Organic Chemistry	3
CHE 214	Biochemistry	3
Sub-total of units		24

YEAR 3

Semester I

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SSC 311	Soil Chemistry	4
SSC 321	Soil Physics	4
SSC 351	Degraded Lands and Environmental Management	3
STA 300	Biostatistics	3
COM 300	Computer Science	3
ARE 371	Agric. Extension and Rural Sociology	3
	Elective course	3
Sub-total of units		23

Semester II

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SSC 302	Research Methodology	2
SSC 312	Soil Biology	4
SSC 352	Organic and Inorganic fertilizers	3
SSC 372	Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition	3
FOR 327	Agroforestry and Land Management	3
ARE 372	Agricultural Marketing	3
	Elective course	3
Sub-total of units		21
SSC 390	Field attachment	4

YEAR 4

Semester I

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SSC 401	Integrated Soil Fertility Management	3
ABE 413	Irrigation and Drainage	3
SSC 421	Land Use Evaluation and Planning	3
SSC 431	Management of Humid and Sub-humid Tropical Soils	3
CRS 412	Plant Pathology	3
	Elective course	3
Sub-total of units		18
SSC 490	Special Project	4

Semester II

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SSC 412	Management of Arid and Semi-arid Lands ASALS	3
SSC 422	Soil and Water Pollution Management	3
SSC 442	Land Use Policy and Law	2
SSC 432	Land Use Impact Assessment and Remote Sensing	3
SSC 462	Soil Testing and Fertilizer Use	3
	Elective course	3
Sub-total of units		17
SSC 490	Special Project	4
Total number of units required for graduation		180

In the 3 rd and 4 th year, students are required to take twelve units ( at least three each per Semester) of elective courses from the list below:

ELECTIVE COURSES

Course Code Course Title Units

Agribusiness Management 3

Contact Addresses

Dean, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology,
P.O. Box 1125 - 30100
Eldoret, Kenya
Tel: +254-(0)53-2063160
FaX: +254-(0)53-2063160/2063257
Email: deanagriculture@mu.ac.ke

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