MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CROP PROTECTION

Admission requirements

The common regulations governing Master’s degree in the University of Embu and the Faculty of Agriculture shall apply.
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 Embu or any other institution recognized by Senate.
2. A holder of a degree with at least Lower Second Class Honours in any of the disciplines specified in (1) above with two years of relevant experience or a postgraduate diploma in (1) above or equivalent from the University of Embu or any other institution recognized by Senate.
3. A holder of a pass degree in the disciplines specified (1) above with at least five years work experience in agricultural related field.

Duration of Study
Two academic years

Expected learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program students are expected to:
1. Acquire knowledge and skills to offer advisory services in all matters related to crop and environmental protection.
2. Design and execute research programmes aimed at solving crop and environmental protection problems.
3. Collect, analyse, interpret and present data in crop and environmental protection experiments.
4. Acquire competence in pesticide safe handling, usage, disposal and monitoring their fate in the environment.
5. Manage crop and environmental protection issues including integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) and other environmentally safe
procedures.
6 Acquire entrepreneurial skills for use in creating employment opportunities.


Career prospects
Postgraduates in the field of crop protection can pursue doctoral studies or work in industry, research institutions, and universities at the national and international level. 

Coursework requirements.
A student is required to attend at least two-thirds of class attendance to be allowed to sit the final examination.

Duration and Pattern of the Course
i)    The minimum duration of the Master of Science in crop protection course shall be at least TWO academic years (18 months) from the date of registration.
ii)    No candidate for the degree of Master of Science shall be registered as a full-time student for more than four (4) academic years or as a part-time student for more than five (5) academic years without submitting his thesis, except by permission of the University.
iii)    Master of Science course in crop protection shall be by course work, examination and thesis.
iv)    Each unit shall comprise lectures which shall include tutorials, discussions and practicals.  In addition, the students will be required to attend/present Departmental seminars.
v)    In the second-year students will undertake research, seminar presentation (at least two seminars on their research work) and thesis writing.
vi)    That the departmental regulations for thesis shall apply.


Courses/Unit Distribution for MSc in crop protection
Year I: Semester I

 Year I : Semester II

Second-year
Thesis

Requirements for graduation
To be considered for the award of a Master of Science degree in Crop Protection
a)    A candidate must have been admitted into the program and taken all required units.
b)    A candidate must undertake a research project, submit a written thesis and pass all respective examinations.

Award of Degree
Candidates who satisfy the examiners in all written and thesis examinations shall be awarded a Master of Science in Crop Protection.