Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Program Offered at Egerton University

Agriculture, through provision of food, shelter, employment and cash income is the mainstay of Kenya's economy. Moreover, approximately 80% of Kenya's population lives in rural areas. It is for these reasons that the government of Kenya has taken a decisive measure to accelerate rural development through enhancement of agricultural production. Some of these measures include the "District Focus for Rural Development" strategy and increased Agricultural Education and Extension.

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture programme at Egerton University is intended to help achieve some of these goals by providing highly trained manpower equipped with a broad range of both conceptual and practical skills geared towards promoting crop and animal production.

The B.Sc. in Agriculture is a broad spectrum degree that would complement in terms of manpower requirements, other specialized degree programmes offered at Egerton University, particularly in view of the fact that extension service, public agricultural institutions and the private sector often require technical personnel that can assist in the development of a variety of enterprises both in animal and crop production.

The BSc Agriculture programme at Egerton University is intended to train high level manpower with practical and conceptual skills to be deployed to increase crop and animal production through research, extension education, training, marketing and self-employment.
At the end of the programme, the graduate should be able to:

1. Perceive the importance of agriculture and particularly the role of crops and animals in providing food, fibre-clothing and cash income for the Kenyan population;
2. Effect proper methods of raising crops and animals either directly on his/her own farm, or indirectly through extension;
3. Carry out basic and applied research geared towards enhancement of crop and animal production;
4. Integrate practices of crop and animal production with other farming enterprises;
5. Teach theory and skills of crop and animal production in appropriate agricultural institutions;
6. Pursue advanced training in relevant areas of specialization in the agricultural sciences;
7. Some graduates of this programme should be able to pursue further training in specialized areas of agricultural sciences.

To be eligible for admission into the BSc Agriculture degree programme at Egerton University, applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements stipulated in the Egerton university statutes; currently it is a requirement that applicants must at least have obtained a C+ grade aggregate in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent;

1. In addition, to be admitted into this programme, applicants must have passed the KCSE with at least grades C+ in Mathematics; C+ in English; C+ in Biology or B in Biological Sciences; C+ in Chemistry or B in Physical Sciences;
2. Alternatively, admission may be granted to Diploma holders who have passed with at least a Credit or its equivalent from recognized colleges or universities.

Mininum Entry Requirements for Bachelor's Degree
The entry requirements set out below are only minimum, and they in no way entitle an applicant to a place in the University. Applicants must:

• Have the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an average grade C+ (C plus)passed at one sitting from at least seven subjects drawn from subject groupings as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council or its equivalent.

OR

• Have one of the following combinations of passes in the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education examination:
• Two (2) Principal passes obtained at the same sitting.

OR

• Egerton University Statutes 2008 43
• Two (2) Principal passes obtained at different sittings provided the passes are of Grade C or higher.

OR

• Hold a Diploma of Egerton University with a 'Credit' pass or higher or an equivalent
• Qualification from a recognized institution in the relevant field of specialization acceptable to Senate. Those with a 'Pass' Diploma will be considered if they have at least two years relevant experience after graduation.

AND
Meet additional entry requirements as may be specified by the respective Department, Faculty, School or Institute.

To be admitted for a PRE-SERVICE DEGREE PROGRAM, a prospective candidate must have all the requirements set up by the joint Admission Board (JAB), with a prospective IN-SERVICE student must have completed a diplomaprogram in the relevant field and graduated with at least a CREDIT.

Full-time students are expected to take up to four years to complete the study, each year consisting of two semesters.

Part-time students may take up to a maximum of eight years.

Candidates must take and pass all required courses to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

In-service students with Diploma qualifications may be allowed to transfer upto a maximum 30% of the degree credit from Diploma level courses on the provision that the courses transferred were passed with grade B and above and in conformity with other specific terms set by the university senate.

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s.

Egerton University has three (3) Campuses and one Campus College.

The main Campus is based at ... read more