Diploma in Animal Production
Admission Requirements for Diploma in Animal Production
Candidates must have obtained the minimum University and School admission requirements.
The following shall be eligible for registration for the diploma in Animal Production in the Department of Water and Agricultural Resource Management:
1. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Applicants: A minimum of Grade C- (C minus). In addition, applicants must meet specific School/Department Requirements or;
2. Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE): A minimum of one Principal level pass and one subsidiary pass. In addition, applicants must meet specific School/Department Requirements or;
3. Holder of equivalent qualifications approved by the University Senate.
These minimum requirements shall be reviewed from time to time to reflect new developments in the Education sector in the country.
Duration of Study
There will be three semesters per academic year; therefore the minimum academic years for completion of the diploma programme would be 2 years and a maximum of 4 years. The average course load per semester will be 7 course units. However, students may be allowed to take a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 units per semester. Each course unit in the programme has a loading of 45 hours. The field/industrial attachment shall each be an equivalent of 7 course units.
Expected Learning Outcomes
The programme will produce learners that are effectively knowledgeable and skilled to serve the animal production industry for sustainable development and wealth creation. At the end of the diploma programme, the student should be able to:
i) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of Animal Production in the national economy.
ii) Offer extension services to various individuals or groups interested in improving animal production.
iii) Use acquired knowledge to generate new technologies that would further improve productivity of various species of livestock.
iv) Utilise the acquired knowledge and skills in setting up and managing an animal production enterprise.
Career prospects
The University of Embu aims to train Animal scientists who will work in industry and academia
Diploma in Animal Production Courses/Unit Distribution Table
First Year
| Year I: Semester I | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | CCS 001 | Communication Skills | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2. | ACS 001 | Introduction to Agriculture | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 3. | AAS 001 | Introduction to Animal Production | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | ACS 002 | Agricultural Botany | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | AAS | General Zoology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 6. | SCH 001 | Chemistry for Agricultural sciences | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 7. | ACS 004 | Principles of Genetics | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 8. | ASS 001 | Introduction to Soil Science | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| Year I: Semester II | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | CCS 002 | Fundamentals of Development | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2. | SMA 001 | Basic Mathematics | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 3. | AEB 001 | Introduction to ICT and Computers | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | AAS 002 | Animal Anatomy | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | AVP 001 | Animal Physiology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 6. | SBT 005 | Microbiology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 7. | AAS 003 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 8. | AAS 005 | Animal Breeding and Biotechnology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 9. | AAS 006 | Parasitology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
Second Year
| Year II: Semester I | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | AEC 001 | Introductory Economics | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 2. | AAS 009 | Ruminant Production | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 3. | AAS 008 | Non-Ruminant Production | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | ACS 011 | Pastures and Forages | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 5. | AAS 004 | Ration Formulation and Feed Manufacturing Technology | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 6. | ACS 012 | Farm Materials and Structures | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 7. | ACS 013 | Farm Power, Machinery and Equipment | 15 | 30 | 45 |
| 8. | AAS 012 | Routine Management Practices (Livestock Duties) | 0 | 90 | 90 |
| Year II: Semester II | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | AAS 015 | Processing of Animal Products | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 2. | AAS 013 | Bees and Beekeeping | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 3. | AAS 010 | Equines Production | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 4. | AAS 007 | Economics of Livestock Production | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 5. | AEC 002 | Agricultural Extension and Rural Development | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 6. | ACS 015 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 7. | AAS 017A | Research methods and seminars | 45 | 0 | 45 |
Third Year
| Year III: Semester I | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | AAS 016 | Animal Health Management | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 2. | AAS 014 | Aquaculture and Emerging Livestock | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 3. | AEC 003 | Farm Management and Accounts | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 4. | AEC 004 | Agricultural Marketing | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 5. | AEC 006 | Agricultural Policy and Law | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 6. | AEC 005 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 7 | AAS 017B | Research Projects and Seminars | 0 | 90 | 90 |
| Year III: Semester II | |||||
| CONTACT HOURS | |||||
| S/NO. | CODES | COURSE TITLE | L | P | TOTAL |
| 1. | AAS 018 | Field/Industrial Attachment | 0 | 320 | 320 |
Award of Diploma
a) The diploma award and classification shall be based on the average score of all the units taken in the programme.
b) The diploma award shall be Diploma in Animal Production.
Classification of Diploma
The classification of the Diploma awarded shall be based on the average marks obtained in all course units and shall be graded as follows:
Score Grade Classification
70% and above A Distinction
60% - 69% B Credit I
50% - 59% C Credit II
40% - 49% D Pass
0% - 39% F Fail