University of Pretoria

Bachelor of Agriculture Honours in Plant Quarantine

Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Primary Agriculture

Purpose and Rationale

  1. Advanced Knowledge in Phytosanitation: Possessing postgraduate level expertise in the field of Phytosanitation equips me with an in-depth understanding of plant quarantine regulations and their significance in protecting plant health.

  2. Understanding Plant Disease Development: Proficient in comprehending the development of plant diseases, I acknowledge the crucial role of phytosanitation regulations in preventing their spread. I am adept in implementing plant quarantine regulations effectively.

  3. Analyzing Economic Impact: Capable of studying the complexity of plant diseases and evaluating the economic impact of insect pests, I can conduct risk assessments for potential disease or pest outbreaks. Contributing positively, I aim to safeguard the national food supply.

  4. Opportunities for Growth: I am seeking opportunities for continuous personal and intellectual growth in the field of Phytosanitation. I aspire to engage in gainful economic activities while making rewarding contributions to society.

  5. Enhancing Livelihoods: By preventing the introduction of new diseases or pest outbreaks, I aim to improve the livelihoods of South Africans. My expertise in Phytosanitation can significantly contribute to ensuring the sustainability of the country's agricultural sector and food security.

Outcomes

  1. Understand and have a deeper knowledge of the complexity of plant diseases, the interaction of micro-organisms with the plant, disease expression and basic concepts of insect or plant disease control.
  2. Understanding global phytosanitation principles and be able to detect new potential disease or insect pests.
  3. Collect, analyse, interpret, select and critically evaluate general plant pathological, entomological, nematological and weed science literature and utilise this knowledge in a problem solving way. Critical cross-field outcomes:
  4. Appreciate and understand the economic and social important of new disease and pest outbreaks in Southern Africa.
  5. Recognise his/her responsibility towards preventing new disease outbreaks in the wider socio-economic context.
  6. Comply with the ethics demanded by science and provide practical problem solving solutions to restrict unregistered movement of plant material.

Assessment Criteria

  1. Laboratory work assessment (formative):

    • This form of assessment allows students to demonstrate their practical skills in identifying plant diseases and pests. It provides valuable feedback to help students improve their techniques.
  2. Tutorial exercises in problem-solving aspects of plant quarantine of diseases and pests (formative):

    • These exercises help students develop critical thinking skills in addressing plant quarantine issues. They also serve as a means to assess their understanding of the subject matter.
  3. Computer-based assessments (formative and summative):

    • These assessments can be used to test students' knowledge of plant diseases and pests using interactive tools. They provide immediate feedback for learning improvement and can also be used as a summative evaluation.
  4. Oral tests (summative):

    • Oral tests assess students' ability to communicate their knowledge of plant quarantine effectively. It allows for a more personal interaction between the examiner and the student.
  5. Written tests:

    • Written tests evaluate students' theoretical knowledge of plant diseases and pests. They can cover various aspects of the subject and provide a comprehensive assessment of the students' understanding.
  6. Written examinations:

    • Written examinations are a formal way to assess students' knowledge and comprehension of plant quarantine diseases and pests. They typically cover a wide range of topics and require students to demonstrate their understanding in written form.

Integrated Assessment:

  • Written examinations and oral examinations are used as integrated assessment methods to evaluate students' overall understanding and communication skills related to plant quarantine of diseases and pests.

Other:

  • Written project reports are used to assess and confirm disease occurrence, allowing students to demonstrate their research and analytical skills.
  • Written scripts or seminars on plant pathological projects/topics provide students with an opportunity to present their findings and knowledge in a structured format.

Qualification Details

Type
Honours Degree
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
120
SAQA Source
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University of Pretoria
Description
The University of Pretoria is a leading research-intensive university located in Pretoria, South Africa. Established in 1908, it is one of the largest universities in the country and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university is known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and social impact. It has a diverse student body and a vibrant campus life, with numerous clubs, societies, and sports facilities. The University of Pretoria is also recognized for its research contributions and collaborations with national and international partners.

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.