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
- 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.
- Only 3 units per semester shall be transferable.
- Levels of courses eligible are the transferable units offered in the first year of study.
- 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:
- Attachment
- Research methodologies
- Research projects
- Teaching practice
- 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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