Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Primary Agriculture
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Agriculture)
Purpose:
The qualification aims to train and equip agricultural scientists and researchers with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to conduct fundamental and applied technical agricultural research across the whole value chain. This qualification will contribute to increasing productivity, profitability, and building the capacity of farmers to innovate and engage in market-oriented sustainable agricultural production, product diversification, and value addition. The curriculum is structured across five learning areas: foundational science, agricultural production science, agricultural business, natural resource management, and agricultural extension (with an emphasis on innovation). Each area provides grounding critical to sustainable agricultural production within a systems framework. The qualification enables learners to develop not only science knowledge and skills but also a range of social skills.
Rationale:
The BSc in Agriculture was developed to meet the demands of the changing agricultural landscape in South Africa, redirecting agriculture to include the marginalized population in the economy. The vision calls for agricultural scientists who can conduct research independently and collaboratively to establish self-reliant farmers contributing to widespread prosperity. Graduates will enhance agricultural research, technology innovation, and development, meeting the demand for professional scientists to lead agricultural and rural transformation in South Africa. The qualification aims to attract learners interested in scientific exploration and agriculture, providing them with a skill set for good-paying jobs or agricultural consultancies. Commodity groups and organizations in the agricultural sector need skilled agricultural scientists to navigate the evolving landscape. Furthermore, the qualification aligns with the labor market for agricultural scientists, aiming to support career paths in various agricultural fields and enabling further academic pursuits. Structured in compliance with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, graduates can register as professional scientists upon completion.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of and engagement in an area at the forefront of a field, and of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the field, and understand how to apply such knowledge in a particular context.
- Demonstrate an ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in an area of specialisation and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting and applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures process and techniques to unfamiliar problems in specialised fields.
- Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate for the field.
- Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
- Critically review information gathering, evaluation and management processes to address problems and issues in agriculture.
- Present and communicate academic, professional or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to agricultural problems.
- Operate effectively within a system or manage a system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships within the system.
- Apply, in a self critical manner, learning strategies which effectively address his or her professional and ongoing learning needs and the professional and ongoing learning needs of others.
- Take full responsibility for work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate and understand that as a team leader they are responsible for the actions of those who report to them.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes
- Use fundamental and specialist knowledge in agriculture, biology, chemistry, and mathematics to address agricultural problems.
- Use and critique multiple and sometimes contradictory sources of knowledge in addressing problems in agriculture.
- Apply appropriate methods and procedures.
- Apply appropriate methods and procedures in practice for the solution of agricultural problems.
- Appropriately apply specialist knowledge in ethics and professional practice related to land rights, water rights, human rights, treatment of animals, and care for the environment in solving agricultural problems.
- Critically review case studies, information gathering, evaluation, and management processes and recommend and justify appropriate methods.
- Clearly communicate concepts, ideas, theories, and research results to different audiences using appropriate language and tools.
- Apply systems-based thinking in addressing current familiar and unfamiliar problems in agriculture.
- Develop and apply appropriate learning strategies.
- Demonstrate accountability in assignments and peer review of contribution in group work.
Integrated Assessment
- Assessment will be both of learning and for learning and will include a balance of formative and summative assessments.
- Formative assessment will be continuous with feedback provided each week for practical and other assignments.
- Summative assessment will include tests and exams.
- In both cases, learners will be provided with feedback.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.