Bachelor of Science in Dryland Economics and Agro- ecosystem Management

Overview

The goal of this degree programme is to produce holistic graduates equipped in knowledge and skills in drylands resource management with specialization that will contribute to increased food production and reduced environmental impacts from the agricultural production systems.

The overall objective of this degree program is to produce competent graduates in dryland economics and agro-ecosystem management with adequate knowledge and skills to contribute to increased food security and resilience of communities living in the drylands by strengthening their ability to cope with environmental and socio-economic change. The objective of the programme is to produce graduates trained in the discipline of economics and ecosystems management with a good blending of practical work to promote agricultural productivity and living standards in the drylands.

  1. The programme shall take four (4) academic years of eight (8) semesters
  2. An academic year shall constitute two (2) semesters.
  3. The Bachelor of Science in Dryland Economics and Agroecosystem management shall be offered by course work, Industrial Practice (Attachment) and Research Project.
  4. A course unit shall be defined as 45 instructional hours comprising lectures, tutorials, assignments and practical work.
  5. The student shall carry out supervised research culminating in a Research Project Report in the 4th year.

Minimum Admission Requirements

The following minimum qualifications shall be admissible:

  1. Holders of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a mean grade of C+ or equivalent with passes at C plain or above in Biology or Biological Sciences and any one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Agriculture  orGeography
  2. Holders of KCSE mean Grade of C- or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate.
  3. Holders of ‘O’ level Division II or equivalent with subjects indicated in 3.1.a above; plus a Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate
  4. Holders of ‘A’ level with two Principal Passes or equivalent in Biology and any one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Geography or Mathematics
  5. Holders of KCSE mean Grade of C plain or equivalent plus a Diploma in Biological Sciences or related sciences from an institution recognized by the senate
  6. Holders of a higher national Diploma in Biological Sciences or related sciences from an institution recognized by the Senate.
  7. Holders of a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences or related sciences from an institution recognized by the senate
  8. Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by the Senate.

Equivalent Admission Requirements based on ISTVS requirement

Admission to the UoN/ISTVS Degree programmes will be based on the following minimum qualifications:

  1. Holders of O Level certificates (from all IGAD Countries) with a mean grade of C+ or equivalent plus completion of a one-semester ISTVS Foundation course (with a minimum grade of C in Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture and Information Technology).
  2. Holders of A Level certificates (from all IGAD Countries) with two principal passes plus completion of a one-semester ISTVS Foundation course (with a minimum grade of C in Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture and Information Technology).

Credit Transfer and Exemptions

Credit Transfer

  1. The credit transfer shall be applicable for candidates from universities or institutions recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi.
  2. The number of hours, content and grading of course (s) for which credit transfer is sought shall be similar to the degree courses offered at the University of Nairobi.
  3. Only grades of C and above shall be transferred.
  4. Only a maximum of one third (1/3) of the total prescribed courses required for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture can be transferred.

Exemptions

  1. A candidate may be exempted from some courses by the Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Academic Committee provided that:
  2. Such a candidate had taken those courses in a recognized University or equivalent institution recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi and achieved a pass grade.
  3. A candidate seeking such exemptions shall submit a duly completed senate approved form specifying the course(s) for which exemption is desired and attach evidence, showing the contents of what was studied.
  4. The courses specified are to satisfy the requirements for the first year of study only. A candidate requiring exemption from 2nd, 3rd or 4th-year courses shall in the absence of credit transfer be required to sit university examination(s) and attain at least pass grade, which will then be used in the classification of the degree.
  5. The course units recommended for exemption should not exceed 1/3 of the total courses in the degree programme.
  6. A candidate admitted into 2nd year of study shall be deemed to have already been exempted from 25% of the total courses in the degree programme.
  7. A non-refundable course exemption fee as determined by the University shall be paid with each application for exemption.

The Graduates of Dryland economics and Agroecosystems Management (DEAMS) will gain knowledge  and skills appropriate for in depth understanding of  drylands  and associated agroecosystems, thereby placing in better position to  provide specialized services in dryland food nutrition security  and sovereignty, ecosystem services and interactions, in socio-ecological systems and dryland environment systems. The DEAMS graduates will thus be agents of change and entrepreneurs in the transformation of the drylands Ecosystems regionally and globally. With potential employment opportunities in local and international Research institutions [e.g., CGIR]; development agencies [most of them working in the drylands]; academic institutions; national and county government departments, and the international arena, among others.

Bachelor in Dryland Economics and Agro- ecosystem Management- ALR 31      
       
YEAR 1 - 15UNITS  Semester 1    Semester 2   Yearly total 
TUITION                    162,000.00                  162,000.00                       324,000.00
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                        7,000.00                                    -                             7,000.00
CAUTION - (ONCE)                        5,000.00                             5,000.00
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                        7,000.00                       8,000.00                         15,000.00
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                        2,250.00                       2,250.00                           4,500.00
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                        1,000.00                                    -                             1,000.00
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                        1,000.00                                    -                             1,000.00
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                        6,500.00                                    -                             6,500.00
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                        2,000.00                                    -                             2,000.00
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                        4,000.00                                    -                             4,000.00
Total-Bsc-Range Management-Year1                    197,750.00                  172,250.00                       370,000.00
Philosophy, Rationale

PHILOSOPHY

The programme intends to produce competent graduates in dryland economics and agroecosystem management with adequate knowledge and skills to contribute to increased food security and resilience of communities living in the drylands by strengthening their ability to cope with environmental and socio-economic change. The programme will produce graduates trained in the discipline of economics and ecosystems management with a good blending of practical work to promote agricultural productivity and living standards in the drylands.

RATIONALE

Currently, large proportions of rural populations in the IGAD countries live in poverty. Rural poverty rates range from 42 per cent in Uganda to 86.5 per cent in Djibouti, against national poverty levels that vary from 38 per cent in Uganda to 53 per cent in Eritrea. The high poverty levels in the arid and semiarid areas are partly caused by agricultural production systems that are characterized by low in- and output, and hence, low levels of production. Furthermore, production is heavily influenced by climatic variability and severe land degradation that requires urgent interventions to redress this constraint.

Despite the low productivity levels within the agricultural sectors of the IGAD countries, it remains the core sector of the member countries’ economies and societies. It contributes a major share to GDP and employs about three (3) quarters of the population. Consequently, the performance of the agricultural sector is the main determinant of year-to-year changes in poverty levels and food security. The revisions in this programme have responded to the emerging needs and realigned the course contents to address the regional needs in the quest to increase food security and enhance sustainable development within the drylands in the IGAD region.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the programme the learner should be able to;

  1. Apply the appropriate principles of sustainable development in solving dryland agro-ecosystem and environmental challenges for better livelihoods of the communities
  2. Apply the knowledge and skill in agri-business and research for dryland agroecosystem development
  3. Carry out effective information dissemination and technology transfer to communities in the drylands that promote sustainable land and water management for increased productivity in the drylands environment
  4. Appraise dryland problems facing society by identifying potential solutions and conducting relevant research for the benefit of communities
  5. Apply leadership skills for the implementation of the global, regional and national policies relating to natural resource management in the drylands.
Application Information

https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php/CourseApplication/viewdetailslogin?deg_code=ALR31

Mode of Delivery

Face-to-Face Mode

Lectures, seminars, discussions, tutorials, guided practical experiments and demonstrations.

Open, Distance and E-Learning Mode

Home and/or office-based media using a variety of self-instructional electronic and online self-study materials, such as; written self-instructional study modules, online interactive devices and self-tests, cloud-based content, videos of lectures mediated technical learning materials e.g. audiovisual and e-learning materials

Blended Learning Mode

A combination of face-to-face and online learning approaches.

Contacts of support persons

Prof. Geoffrey Kironchi 

geokironchi@uonbi.ac.ke  

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