Bachelor Degree in Agriculture
The Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine seeks to produce highly skilled and competent graduates who can exploit the dual strength of agriculture in the domains of sustainable production of safe and quality food and generation of renewable energy (bio-fuels) in an ecologically-friendly manner. The training will focus on sound theoretical principles as well as practical and entrepreneurial skills, while creative and strategic research will emphasise community-relevant and sustainable development projects. Both training and research will assume a holistic and participatory approach; with outreach activities that will benefit the existing small and medium size, as well as large scale industrial complexes and the community. The graduates, equipped with the skills to face the present and future challenges of the global agricultural human resources needs, will be capable of self-employment or make careers in crop production and protection, horticulture, animal production, forestry, food industries, renewable energy, biotechnology and allied industries, agribusiness, teaching and research.
OBJECTIVES
- To provide the students, thorough knowledge and skills in crop and livestock production, the economics of farm management and entrepreneurship.
- To provide the students with a strong research background that will prepare them for gainful employment in the private and public sectors or to further studies in any institution of higher learning.
- To give the students practical skills in the key areas of agriculture as well as transferable skills that address family and community needs in the nation and surroundings.
This course is provided within the Faculty Agriculture and Veterinary medicine and awarded by the University of Buea.
The faculty of organised into seven departments:
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
- Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences
- Department of Animal Science
- Department of Food Science and Technology
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife
- Department of Veterinary Medicine
The university fees amount to 50,000 francs CFA per year, payable in a single tranche or in two tranches of 25,000 francs CFA each.
A student at the Faculty for the current year is considered to be a student who completed at least one installment before November 15 and the second installment before April 30 of the year of enrollment .
Once the university fees have been paid, the receipts must be certified, at least in duplicate, to the Administrative and Financial Division (DAF). In addition, academic registration for the various semester courses in the chosen course must be made before 20 November for the first semester and before 10 May for the second semester. This academic registration is made to the Level Coordinators in the respective Departments after presentation of the receipts of the University Rights.
The admission requirements set out below are the minimum requirements which may entitle an applicant to a place in the University for First Degree Courses.
- The GCE O/L, with passes in five approved subjects including English Language prior to sitting the GCE A/L
- One of the following requirements in the GCE A/L:
- Two GCE/AL passes at the same sitting.
- The BAC in the series appropriate to the intended field for specialization.
- Candidates with other qualifications considered by Senate as the equivalent of these qualifications.
- Individual departments may impose additional and specific requirements.
- Students whose language of instruction was not English, will be required to pass a prescribed English Language test, unless they have successfully completed the Special Intensive English Language Course.
Job and Career Opportunities:
Graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Buea have the opportunity to find gainful employment in both the public and private sectors of the national economy. In the public sector, graduates may be employed in the ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development; Fisheries, Livestock, and Animal Husbandry; Forestry and Wildlife; and Environment and Nature Protection. In the private sector, graduates may find employment in agricultural enterprises for both primary production and manufacturing. Established industries in Cameroon that hire agricultural professionals include the CDC, Del Monte, PAMOL, SOCAPALM, CHOCOCAM, and other specialised food processing enterprises. In these companies, agriculture graduates serve as managers, advisers, researchers, and field technicians. Our training also prepares students for careers as private entrepreneurs, proprietors of agricultural enterprises, and as independent consultants for national and international organisations.
Requirements for Graduation:
The Faculty grants the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in various areas of specialisation in Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Animal Science, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Food Science and Technology and Forestry and Wildlife. Students working towards the degree must earn at least eight semester credits of 240. A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of C (2.00 on scale of 4.00) is required for graduation. An honours degree is earned if the programme is completed in a maximum of ten semesters, otherwise only a pass degree is awarded.