Bachelor of Science Horticulture Program Offered at Jomo Kenyatta University

Bachelors Degree 4years Fulltime Fee: on application Intake: Ongoing

Bachelors Degree (Accredited by: Jomo Kenyatta University)

About Bachelor of Science Horticulture Bachelors Degree program.

Bachelor of science Horticulture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology(JKUAT) provide the necessary skills to sustain and expand production for the local market, raw materials for the processing industry, and fresh exports as the horticultural sector has acquired a bigger role in the economy of Kenya in generating self employment and increasing income for the rural  population.

This horticulture degree covers contemporary real-world issues faced by professional horticulturists. The program includes labs, diagnostics, student-managed projects and field-based problem solving. The course will help you learn the principles and practices associated with horticultural production within the context of plant pathology, pest management, soils, ecology and economics with applications in various horticulture career fields.

A BSc in Horticulture graduate from JKUAT are skilled at finding and synthesizing information in order to deal with the novel situations they will face during their horticultural career.

Objectives of Bachelor of Science Horticulture

The Bachelor of science in Horticulture degree program at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology(JKUAT) aims to train high level manpower with practical and theoretical skills in general horticulture who will, through research, extension, marketing, and self-employment, be able to improve and increase both the production of horticultural and other crops.

At the end of the programme the graduates should be able to:

  • Perceive the importance of horticulture in the national economy with particular reference to the role of vegetables, fruits and flowers in meeting the family needs for food, clothing and shelter.
  • Make use of the acquired knowledge and practical skills to raise production and improve marketing of horticultural crops and products on both small and large-scale farms.
  • Set up and run thriving private horticultural enterprise on vegetables, fruits or flowers.
  • Using acquired knowledge and practical skills, be able to relate and integrate production of horticultural crops with other farm enterprises.
  • Carry out simple, but meaningful scientific research on various facets of horticultural and other crop enterprises.
  • Promote environmental conservation by encouraging and effecting practices that minimize soil erosion and pollution from pesticides.

Entry requirements for Bachelor of Science Horticulture

Bachelor of science Horticulture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology(JKUAT) has the following entry requirements;

  • A candidate wishing to be admitted into the B.Sc. degree programme in Horticulture must satisfy the minimum University entry requirements and Faculty of Agriculture regulations.
  • In addition to the above, the candidate must have obtained an aggregate of C+ and  minimum of C (plain) in each of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics/Physics OR C (plus) in each of the following subjects: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Geography or any of the Group IV subjects at K.C.S.E. or its equivalent.
  • Alternatively, admission shall be granted to holders of Diploma in Horticulture (with credit and above) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology or from other institutions recognized by the University Senate. Such candidates shall enter the programme at the second year of study unless otherwise specified by the Faculty.

Bachelor of Science Horticulture Course Subjects

Bachelor of science Horticulture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology(JKUAT) has the following course units;

Year 1

  • HRD 2101 Communication Skills
  • HRD 2103 General Economics
  • AHS 2101 Introduction to General Agric. and Agrometeorology
  • SMA 2160 Mathematics I
  • SPH 2160 Physics I
  • SBT 2120 General Microbiology
  • SCH 2107 Chemistry I (Inorganic)
  • SBT 2202 Plant Morphology and Anatomy
  • HRD 2102 Development Studies
  • SMA 2161 Mathematics II
  • SPH 2161 Physics II
  • SCH 2106 Chemistry II (Physical)
  • SCH 2108 Chemistry III (Organic)
  • SBT 2302 Taxonomy of Higher Plants
  • SZL 2110 Entomology
  • AHS 2102 Animal Production
  • SZL 2111 HIV/AIDS

Year 2

  • HRD 2110 Farm Records and Accounts
  • ICS 2110 Information Technology I
  • ECE 2208 Technical Drawing and Survey
  • SMA 2262 Statistics
  • SBT 2200 Plant Biochemistry and Physiology
  • SBT 2220 Plant Physiology
  • AHS 2201 Weed Science
  • AHS 2202 Soil Science I
  • HRD 2111 Farm Management
  • HRD 2215 Information Technology II
  • AHS 2203 Principles of Horticulture
  • AHS 2204 Plant Propagation
  • AHS 2205 Genetics and Cytogenetics
  • AHS 2206 Ornamental Horticulture I
  • AHS 2207 Annual and Perennial Crops
  • AHS 2208 Soil Science II
  • AHS 2209 Field Attachment I

Year 3

  • HRD 2109 Agricultural Marketing
  • AHS 2301 Pomology I
  • AHS 2302 Olericulture I
  • AHS 2303 Plant Pathology
  • AHS 2304 Floriculture I
  • AHS 2305 Plant Nutrition
  • AHS 2306 Experimental Design
  • AAE 2306 Agricultural Structures I
  • AHS 2307 Pomology II
  • AHS 2308 Olericulture II
  • AHS 2309 Plant Breeding
  • AHS 2310 Floriculture II
  • AFP 2318 Postharvest Physiology
  • AHS 2311 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
  • AAE 2320 Introduction to Farm Power and Machinery
  • AHS 2312 Research Project I
  • AHS 2313 Field Attachment II

Year 4

  • SBT 2440 Ecology and Environmental Science
  • AHS 2401 Plant Biotechnology
  • AHS 2402 Crop Protection
  • AFP 2411 Postharvest Technology I (Perishables)
  • AAE 2420 Soil and Water Engineering
  • AHS 2403 Horticultural Seminar
  • AHS 2404 Research Project II (2 Units)
  • HRD 2113 Rural Sociology and Agricultural Extension
  • AHS 2405 Seed Science and Technology
  • AHS 2406 Ornamental Horticulture II
  • AFP 2430 Principles of Food Processing and Preservation
  • AHS 2407 Soil Survey, Classification, Land Evaluation and Planning
  • AHS 2408 Landscape Design and Management
  • AHS 2409 Research Project III (2 Units)

About Jomo Kenyatta University

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is a public university near Nairobi, Kenya. It is situated in Juja, 36 kilometres northeast of Nairobi, along the Nairobi-Thika SuperHighway. It offers courses in Technology, Engineering, Science, Architecture and Building sciences. The university has a strong research interest in the areas ... read more