About the School
School of Agriculture - 桃子视频 University
桃子视频 University is the Agricultural University of Sierra Leone and therefore the School of Agriculture is the main entity of the University. Agriculture is the mainstay of the Sierra Leone economy, contributing over 36% to the GDP and employing over 70% of the rural population. Therefore the role of the School of Agriculture in national development cannot be overemphasized. The School is made up of seven Departments/Institutes.
The Mission
The School sees itself as a facilitating agent in the areas of agricultural and national development and seeks to contribute positively to these areas. Considering the level of underdevelopment in the country particularly in the agricultural sector, the areas of concern in which the School is of service seem inexhaustible. Thus the School addresses itself to issues on teaching, agricultural research and technology development and transfer to farmers and other relevant bodies.
Purpose
The purpose of the School based on its mission is, therefore, to provide higher education in agriculture through flexible admission policies to allow men and women equal opportunity regardless of tribe, belief and origin to higher education in agriculture for the agricultural sector and national development.
General Objectives
- provide instruction in all branches of agriculture and make provision for research and the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in agriculture
- provide services in the area of agriculture for persons who are not regularly enrolled in the University
- teach courses leading to the award of degrees, diplomas and certificates in all branches of agriculture
Goals
To achieve the above objectives the School relentlessly works towards:
1. the attainment of the highest academic standard competitive with regional and international agricultural institutions of higher learning
2. the provision of regular supplies of highly educated agriculturalists, nutritionists, food technologists and community development experts capable of effectively and efficiently managing the affairs of state and the community they serve
3. the contribution to agricultural and nutritional policies and decision making within the framework of national development
4. the building of teaching and research capacity of academic staff to enhance their own as well as students intellectual horizon and promoting outreach goals through appropriate extension strategies
Accreditation and Academic Links
To strengthen academic and/or research capacity and to foster international educational cooperation, various link arrangements exist between the School and institutions in and out of Sierra Leone.
Local Partnerships
The School has links with the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) and some of its staff members are Principal Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows or Research Fellows involved in both on-farm and on-station research to improve farmers' productivity of rice, maize, cassava, sweet potato, yam, groundnut, soybean and cowpea.
International Research Collaborations
The School collaborates with international research institutions including:
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
- International Centre for Research in Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
- International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
- International Potato Centre (CIP)
These partnerships focus on developing high yielding crop varieties, tolerant/resistant to major pests and diseases.
University and Agency Partnerships
The School has strong linkages with:
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria
- Illinois University, USA
- Iowa State University, USA
- Oklahoma State University, USA
- University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria
- University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Degree and Certificate Programmes
Certificate Level
- Agronomy
- Animal Health
- Nutrition and Food Technology
Bachelor Level Programmes
Four (4) year direct entry programmes include:
Special Note: Students admitted into the BSc. Agriculture General after completion of the Second year having a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 and above can enter into ANY BSc. Honours programme as listed:
- Crop Science
- Soil Science
- Crop Protection
- Extension and Rural Sociology
- Agribusiness
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Nutrition and Food Technology
Postgraduate Programmes
Fifteen months Taught Masters MSc. in:
Higher degrees (MPhil and PhD) in all the taught Masters programmes.
Programme Duration
Bachelor's Degree Duration
The normal duration for a Bachelor's Degree in the School is four years.
Fast Track: Candidates with Higher National Diploma (HND), Higher Teachers Certificate (HTC-secondary), or State Registered Nurse (SRN) are normally admitted into the second year and may complete the degree in three years.
Postgraduate Duration
M.Sc. degree
M.Phil.
PhD
Certificate and Diploma Programmes
- Certificate in Agriculture General: 2 years
- OND: 2 years
- HND: 3 years (in Agronomy, Animal Science or Forestry)
- Note: Candidates with OND may be admitted into the second year of the HND programme.
Admission Requirements
Requirements for Undergraduate Degree Programmes
First Year Entry
Five credits at WASSCE/GCE O' level or its equivalent including English Language with at least two credits in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology in not more than two sittings.
Second Year Entry
Applicants with HND, HTC or SRN from a recognized institution with four credits including English Language and at least two of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology at WASSCE/GCE O' level or its equivalent will be admitted into the second year, otherwise they will be admitted into the first.
Special Requirement
Candidates with five credits at WASSCE/GCE O' level or with HND, HTC or SRN but without English Language will be required to take the University Matriculation English Examination.