What is Horticulture?

Horticulture is the science and art of the development, sustainable production, marketing, and use of high-value, intensively cultivated food and ornamental plants. Horticultural crops are diverse; they include herbs, fruits and vegetables, and decorative indoor and landscape plants. The Bachelor of Science in Horticulture is anchored on the philosophy of producing self-reliant graduates with skills in the production, processing, and marketing of horticultural products.

 

Why Study Horticulture?

Horticulture is the leading foreign exchange earner in Kenya, employing directly or indirectly about 10% of the entire population. Horticultural crops help sustain and enrich our lives by providing nutritious food, enhancing the beauty of our homes and communities.

 

Career prospects

Kenya has a vibrant Horticultural industry and is a leading exporter of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Many graduates find employment in Horticultural Companies as front-line supervisors in field production, packhouse management with eventual progression to managerial levels. Other opportunities include government agencies involved in phytosanitary law enforcement such as the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service and State Department of Agriculture. Research institutions eg. Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, consultancy firms, NGOs involved in horticulture promotion, landscaping companies, and academic institutions. The acquired skills also provide a huge potential in self-employment.

 

Why Horticulture at Meru University of Science and Technology?

The University is located strategically in Meru County which has the three main agro-ecological zones that support the production of all types of horticultural crops. This provides an opportunity to see Horticulture in practice during field visits, many opportunities for industrial attachment, and eventual work placement. MUST provides a serene learning environment modern learning facilities, and a dedicated faculty.

A candidate wishing to be admitted to Bachelor of Science in Horticulture must meet the following requirements;

Have a minimum aggregate of C+ (plus) in K.C.S.E with a minimum grade of C (plain) in each of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/ Physics/ Geography or C (plain) in each of the following subjects: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics/ Geography; and C (plain) in English/Kiswahili, or a 3rd Group II (BIO, PHY, CHE) or a Group III (HAG, GEC, IRE, HRE) or any Group IV or any Group V subjects

OR;

Have a Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture,
Biology or equivalent and related disciplines from K.N.E.C or its equivalent.

Duration: 8 semesters

Mode of Study: Full-time/Weekend

Campus: Main Campus (Nchiru)

Tuition fees per semester: Ksh. 45,000

Regulations on Credit Transfers

  1. Only a grade A in the transferable unit(s) (as prescribed by the departmental academic board) taken during the diploma program from MUST or recognized institution by the MUST senate shall be transferable.
  2. Only 3 units per semester shall be transferable.
  3. Levels of courses eligible are the transferable units offered in the first year of study.
  4. A student registered in a similar or related program that is accredited by a relevant body shall be granted credit transfer in courses covering similar course content as those offered in this program except as provided below. To be eligible for credit transfer the student must have attained a minimum grade B in the course in consideration

This rule shall not apply to the following courses:

  1. Attachment
  2. Research methodologies
  3. Research projects
  4. Teaching practice
  5. University courses
KSCE Subject Groupings
Group I (compulsory) Group II (Science Subjects) Group III (Humanity Subjects) Group IV (Technical Subjects) Group V (humanity/Art Subjects)
English
Kiswahili
Mathematics A*
Mathematics B#
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
General Science
History and government
Geography
Christian Religious Education
Islamic Religious Education
Hindu Religious Education
Home Science
Art and design
Agriculture
Woodwork
Metalwork
Building construction
Power mechanics
Electricity
Drawing and design
Aviation technology
Computer studies
French
German
Arabic
Kenya Sign Language
Music
Business studies
*Mathematics A is for students who intend to pursue Science programs that require strong mathematical skills
#Mathematics B is for students who intend to pursue Arts, Humanities and Social science programs that do not require core mathematical skills

What Will I Study?

Courses

  Year 1
  Semester 1
 Code Course Title
BEC 3100 Introduction to Economics
AAA 3100 Introduction to Agriculture and Food Security
UCU 3101 Development Studies and Social Ethics
AAP 3102 Introduction to Animal Production
SBA 3350 General Microbiology
  Semester 2
UCU 3102 Communication Skills
UCU 3103 HIV/AIDS
SBA 3150 Plant Morphology and Anatomy
SCS 3150 Organic Chemistry
SPS 3150 Physics
AAA 3151 Environmental Science & Agro-meteorology
AAA 3150 Agricultural Plant Taxonomy
SBA 3250 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

 

  Year 2
  Semester 1
 Code Course Title
AAH 3200 Principles of Horticulture
AAA 3201 Soil Formation and Classification
AAA 3202 Annual  Crops and Perennial Crops
EMT 3206 Technical Drawing and Survey
EMT 3207 Introduction to Workshop Technology
CIT 3117 Introduction to Computer and Application
AAB 3225 Agribusiness Accounting and Finance
  Semester 2
SMF 3164 Biostatistics
SBT 3250 Genetics and Cytogenetics
AAH 3250 Horticultural Structures
AAA 3251 Soil Chemistry and Biology
AAH 3251 Greenhouse Technology
AAH 3252 Plant Propagation
AAA 3253 Weed Science and Management
AAH 3253 Field Attachment I

 

  Year 3
  Semester 1
 Code Course Title
AAH 3300 Tropical Vegetables
AAA 3300 Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
AAH 3301 Ornamental Horticulture, Landscape Design and Management
AAA 3302 Plant Pathology
AAH 3303 Research Methods
AAH 3304 Temperate Fruits
AAB 3325 Agribusiness Management
  Semester 2
AAH 3350 Tropical  and subtropical Fruits
AAH 3351 Temperate Vegetables
AAA 3351 Plant Breeding
AAH 3352 Floriculture
SZL 3353 Agricultural Entomology
AAH 3353 Research Proposal and Seminars I
AAH 3354 Field Attachment II
EMT 3358 Agricultural Mechanization

 

  Year 4
  Semester 1
 Code Course Title
AFT 3252 Food Processing and Preservation
AAH 3400 Research Project and Seminar II
AAH 3401 Horticultural Postharvest Physiology
AAH 3402 Plant Biotechnology and Food Bio-Safety
AAA 3402 Crop Protection
AAB 3425 Agricultural Laws, Standards and Certifications
AAB 3426 Agricultural Marketing
  Semester 2
AAH 3450 Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops
BBS 3451 Entrepreneurship Skills
AAH 3451 Research Project and Seminar  III
AAA 3452 Agribusiness Resource Management
AAA3454 Sociology of Extension and Development
ECT 3462 Irrigation Technology
BFB 3476 Leadership & Team Building In Agriculture

Contact Us

Call Us: +254 712524293

P.O Box ,972-60200 Meru Kenya

info@must.ac.ke

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