General Introduction

Welcome message

Dear Students

Greetings and welcome to the Module of Basics of Agricultural Sciences. It is with pleasure that we would like to welcome you to this fantastic module. This module comprises four components including Introduction to Crop Husbandry, Introduction to Animal Husbandry, Introduction to Soil Sciences, and Introduction to Forestry Production. You are all requested to read the available teaching materials. It is our sincere hope that you will find the module interesting and very useful for you as a future Agricultural Scientists career. We wish you all the best and success in your studies.

Basic of Agricultural Sciences is a second semester module, which will help you to understand the principles of crop production, soil science, animal production and forest production. This module also is a foundation to all students in CAFF. Any question please fill free to ask your Lecturers.

Thank you for choosing CAFF.

Module aim

The module aims at describing factors of soil formation and soil properties; explaining the principles and processes of crop production; introducing students to forestry science and basics of livestock production globally and nationally.

Learning outcomes:

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1.     Define the concepts of soil, its formation, components and properties; soil profile description; physical and chemical analysis of soil. 

2.     Apply the principles of crop husbandry, different processes of crop production, plant nutrition and fertilization and different cropping systems 

3.     Explain the concepts and Principles of forestry and agroforestry and various management practices.

4.     Explain the knowledge on main breeds of livestock, management and productions aspects; social-economical and environmental impact of livestock. 

Activities:

The activities consist of:    

     - Lectures

    - Laboratory classes

     - Group works / Seminars

     - Directed exercises

     - Field visits/ Practicals

     - Individual/Group assignments

     - Written assay

Literature:

Read textbooks, published papers and scientific materials that can be accessible through the University of Rwanda Library website: https://library.ur.ac.rw/

• The Learning and teaching strategy, assessment strategy, and literature are provided under each learning unit and in the module outline.
• Language of Instruction: English
• Continuation courses:
• Module credits: 15

• Allocation of study and teaching hour:

  • Contact hours:
    • Lectures: 45
    • Seminars/workshops: 3
    • Practical  classes/laboratory: 24
  • Self study hours:
    • Strutucted exercises: 10
    • Set reading etc. : 18
    • Self-directed study : 25
    • Assignments - preparation and writing: 15
    • Examination - revision and attendance : 10

       Total hours: 150

Module facilitators:

• Dr. Fashaho Aloys (aloysfashaho@gmail.com)
• Thacienne Uwiringiyimana (thacienne20@yahoo.fr)
• Hamim Abbas ( hamimabbas77@gmail.com)