Bachelor of Science in Horticulture (BScHort)

Introduction

Uganda is endowed with very good climate and soils suitable for agricultural development particularly horticulture.

The demand for Horticultural products such as vegetables, spices like Vanilla, herbs, fruits and flowers is on the increase both locally and internationally. This makes Horticulture a pass word to poverty alleviation.

Course Objectives

The objective of the programme is to enhance management and co-ordination capacity of horticultural production. It integrates the production chain from input resourcing to product consuming with management skills and a focus on entrepreneurial aspects of the horticultural sector. It also examines the development of the horticultural sector at the local, national and international levels.

Course Duration

The course will last for three years, consisting of six semesters during which students have theory, practical and field attachment learning experiences.
Field attachment is done during the recess time of the first and second year and in part of the second semester of the third year.

Course Structure

Year 1: Semester 1

	CU	LH	TH	PH	CH
HORT 101: Principles & Practices of Horticulture	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 102: Introduction to Soil Science	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 103: Botany & Ecology	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 104: Genetics	3	30	-	20	40
HORT 105: General Biochemistry	2	20	-	30	30
HORT 106: General microbiology	2	30	-	30	45
Ethics 101: Introductory Ethics	2	20	10	-	30
ICTN100: Introduction to Computers	3	15	-	60	45
CS100: Communication skills	2	30	15	-	45
BBM 112: Principles of Management	2	20	10	-	30

TOTAL	25

Year 1: Semester 2

	CU	LH	TH	PH	CH
HORT 107: Statistics	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 108: Crop Physiology	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 109: Introductory Entomology	2	20	-	20	20
HORT 110: Introduction to Weed Science	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 111: Farm Structures	2	20	-	20	30
HORT 112: Horticulture Plant Propagation	2	20	-	30	30
HORT 113: Applied Horticultural Botany	2	20	-	30	30
HORT 114: Introduction to Micro & Macro Economics	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 115: Horticultural practical skills	2	-	-	60	30
ICTN101: Computer Applications	3	15	-	60	45

TOTAL	27

Year 2: Semester 1

	CU	LH	TH	PH	CH
HORT 201: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition	3	45	-	30	60
HORT 202: Principles of vegetable production	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 203: Plant Pathology	3	30	-	30	60
HORT 204: Biometry	2	30	-	30	45
HORT 205: Greenhouse Construction & Maintenance	2	20	-	20	30
HORT 206: Entrepreneurship Development & Agribusiness	3	30	15	-	45
HORT 207: Business law	3	30	15	-	45
HORT 208: Farm Power and Mechanization	2	20	-	20	30
HORT 209: Plant Breeding & Applied Crop Improvement	3	30	-	30	45
ICTN 200: Computer Applications	3	30	-	30	45
TOTAL	26

Year 2: Semester2

	CU	LH	TH	PH	CH
HORT 210: Research Methodology	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 211: Ornamental Flower Production	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 212: Plant Biotechnology	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 213: Landscape Design, Construction & Maintenance	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 214: Applied Entomology	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 215: Principles of Fruit Production	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 216: Seed Technology	2	30	-	30	45
HORT 217: Plant Nursery Management	3	-	15	60	45
HORT 218: Production Economics	2	20	-	20	30

TOTAL	25

Year 3: Semester 1

	CU	LH	TH	PH	CH
HORT 301: Chain Management& Marketing of Hort. Crops	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 302: Harvesting & Post Harvest Handling Techniques	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 303: Medicinal, Spice & Aromatic Plant Production	2	20	-	30	20
HORT 304: Organic and Sustainable Horticulture	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 305: Farm Business Management	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 306: Integrated Pest Management	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 307: Agricultural Extension & Education	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 308: Soil and Environmental Pollution	2	20	-	30	30
HORT 309: Irrigation Technology	2	20	-	30	30
Special Research Project				60	30

TOTAL	26

Year 3: Semester 2

	CU	LH	TH	PH	CH

HORT 310: Greenhouse Climate control	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 311: Breeding and Applied crop improvement	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 312: Agricultural Extension Education	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 313: International Trade in Horticulture	3	30	15	-	45
HORT 314: Commercial Horticultural Crop Production	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 315: Processing of Horticultural Crops	3	30	-	30	45
HORT 316: Special Research Project	5			80	40
Ethics 302: Horticultural Professional Ethics	2	20	10	-	30
TOTAL	25

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to join the program:

For A' level candidates, at least two principle passes at an Advanced Certificate of Education in either: Biology, Agriculture, Mathematics, Economics, Geography, Chemistry, and Physics. Preferably one of which should be in Biology or Agriculture.
Diploma holders in Agriculture, Agricultural education, and Forestry from a recognized Agricultural institution. Career farmers or gardeners with extensive industrial experience can apply, but will have to sit and pass the mature entry examination.

Career Prospects for Graduates

In line with the competence based teaching principles at Mountains of the Moon University, this programme ensures that participants develop competencies with regard to horticultural business: After completing the Bachelor in Science Horticulture with Management and Entrepreneurship, graduates are likely to be employed as:

Farm managers
Agricultural officers
Researchers
Horticultural trainers
Landscape designers and architects
Florists
Environmental officers
Input Stockists & Suppliers
Horticultural consultants
Professional farmers