Non Category Courses

Brief description of aims and content

The objective of this module is to provide knowledge on silviculture applied to agroforestry, use of suitable multipurpose tree species, improvement of tree harvests and crop production through the use of appropriate silvicultural practices and agroforestry technologies at local, regional and global level.

8. Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Define and describe silvicultural practices applied to agroforestry;
2. Understand strategies for optimising land use productivity using appropriate agroforestry technologies;
3. Understand the principles of tree improvement in agroforestry;
4. Understand beneficial uses of Multiple purpose trees (MPT) in agroforestry systems,
5. Understand the potential of trees and their major uses, in relation to direct (wood and non-wood products) and indirect benefits (services) they provide to the community and to the ecosystem;
6. Understand and recognize the relationship between trees and other components in agroforestry systems;
7. Have an overview of forestry and forestry research, in relation to demands of renewable energy, reducing deforestation and forest degradation, reforestation and forest conservation.

1. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of knowledge

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate the proper use of trees and other components in different agroforestry and land use systems;
2. Apply principles of tree improvement for suitable trees to agroforestry;
3. Apply different silvicultural technics to improve productivity of trees and other components of agroforestry systems.

1. Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Carry out silvicultural treatments and manage multipurpose agroforestry systems;
2. Design an agroforestry project and implement it;

1. General Transferable skills

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Advise on suitable silvicultural practices in various agroforestry systems

1. Communication, ICT and numeracy skills

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Establish database relevant multipurpose trees for various agroforestry systems

1. Autonomy, responsibility and working with others

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Use suitable silvicultural treatments in managing various agroforestry systems

9. Indicative Content

Silvicultural practices for agroforestry tree species :Tree nursery practices; intermediate and regeneration treatments (beating up, weeding, cleaning, pruning, thinning, clear-felling, salvage cutting, improvement cutting, sanitation cutting, pollarding, etc.)

Forestry and agroforestry research in the tropics: Status of forest resources in Rwanda and other countries in the region, research findings on suitable agroforestry systems and tree species; interactions between trees and other components of agroforestry systems

Multipurpose tree species: Silvics of relevant multipurpose tree species in various agroforestry systems (identification, propagation, planting, silvicultural treatments and management, harvesting)

Tree improvement for suitable agroforestry systems: Selection of suitable agroforestry tree species (exotic and indigenous); seed collection and handling (elite trees), progeny and provenance tests

10. Learning and Teaching Strategy

(1)   Lectures

(2)   Self-study and assignments related to lecture topics

(3)   Field practical exercises and field reports

(4)   Seminar presentation

11. Assessment Strategy

The module will be assessed on the basis of mid-term assessments (short written exam on each component) which will account for 40% of the final mark. Continuous assessment including three assignments, field reports and seminar presentation shall account for 60%. Students are required to achieve a pass mark on all mid-term assessments and assignments.

12.Assessment Pattern

Background Texts (include number in library or URL) (inc.ISBN)

Boudru, M. 1992. Foret et sylviculture : Boisements et Reboisements artificiels. Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux

Evans J & J Turnbull, 2004.Plantation Forestry in the Tropics (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

ICRAF, 1991 (Wood, P.T., Burley, J.) A tree for all reasons-the introduction and evaluation of multipurpose trees for Agroforestry. ICRAF, Nairobi

Nwoboshi, L.C. 1982.  Tropical  Silviculture : Principles and Techniques. Ibadan University Press

Nyland, R. D. 2002 Silviculture: Concepts and Applications, 2nd Edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. New York. 704 pp. ISBN 0-07-366190-2

Webb, D. B., Wood, P.J., Smith J. P. and Henman, G.S. 1984.A guide to Species selection for Tropical and Sub-tropical plantations. Tropical Forestry Papers no. 15. Oxford University

This module consists of three units viz., Research Methods, Scientific Writing and Communication Skills and Statistics and Biometry. This module presents an in depth knowledge of statistics, biometry and research methodology The module is designed to introduce learners to the fields of statistical research in Agricultural Sciences. Concepts on ethics and philosophy of science, and scientific writing skills will be introduced. Advanced statistical methods, experimental design, data collection, data exploration and analyses will form part of the modules.

Indicative Content includes

·     Ethics in research  ·     Philosophy of science  ·     Research methods

·     The scientific writing process  ·     Preparation of scientific presentations

·     Presentation and communication of scientific research results

·     Principles of experimental design and census techniques

·     Design of field experiments – characteristics, merits and limitations

·     Statistical tools – tests and report of results  ·     Data exploration

·     Distributions - (Normal vs. other and data transformation)

·     Regression analysis and analysis of variance ·     Analysis of categorical data

·     Missing data  ·     Principles of experimentation ·     Generalized Linear Models

·     Mixed Linear Models  ·     Restricted Maximum Livelihood (REML)

·     Multivariate analysis - Principal Components Analysis (PCA)

- Discriminant analysis - Cluster analysis ;  Genotype × environment Interaction Analysis

Indicative Resources

·     Statistical computer package program:

·     SAS

·     Genstat

·     Minitab

14. Indicative Resources

Core text:

1. Creswell J. W., 1994. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 2nd Edition, 272 pages

2. Bryman, A. 2001. Social Research Methods. Second Edition. 748 pages

3. Creswell, J.W. 2006. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research.275 pages

4.Grbich, C. 2007. Qualitative Data Analysis: An Introduction

5. Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (2006, 3^rd ed) How to research, Buckingham: Open University.

6. Bell, J. (2005, 4^th ed) Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social sciences, Buckingham: Open University Press.

7. Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., & Williams, J.M. (2003) The craft of research, Chicago: University of Chicago Press (Chicago Guides to Writing, Publishing and Editing).

8. Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2003) Business research methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Also see companion website below.

9. Denscombe, M. (2003, 2^nd ed) The good research guide: For small-scale social research projects, Buckingham: Open University.

10. Field, A. & Hole, G.J. (2002) How to design and report experiments, London: Sage.

11. Hart, (1998) Doing the literature review: releasing the social science research imagination, Sage: London.

12. Murray, R. (2006, 2^nd ed) How to write a thesis, Buckingham: Open University Press.

13. Rudestam, K. & Newton, R. (2000, 2^nd ed) Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process, London: Sage.

14. Swetnam, D. (2000, 3^rd ed) Writing your dissertation.

15. White, B. (2003) Dissertation skills for business and management students, Thompson Learning.

16. Fan J., and R. Li. 2000. Advanced Applied Statistics

17. Seltman, H. J. 2014. Experimental Design andAnalysis

18. Kang, M. S. (Ed). 2002. Quantitative Genetics, Genomics and Plant Breeding. CABI Publishing. New York, NY.

19. Shalabh, H. T. 2009. Statistical Analysis of Designed Experiments. 3^rd Edition. Springer, New York

20. Robert, O. K. 2000. Design of Experiments: Statistical Principles of Research and Analysis. 2nd Edition. Thomson Learning. USA

21. Fan J., and R. Li. 2000. Advanced Applied Statistics

22. Seltman, H. J. 2014. Experimental Design andAnalysis

23. Kang, M. S. (Ed). 2002. Quantitative Genetics, Genomics and Plant Breeding. CABI Publishing. New York, NY.

24. Shalabh, H. T. 2009. Statistical Analysis of Designed Experiments. 3^rd Edition. Springer, New York

25. Robert, O. K. 2000. Design of Experiments: Statistical Principles of Research and Analysis. 2nd Edition. Thomson Learning. USA

15. Background Texts

Journal articles:

·     Biometrika

·     Journal of Statistical Education

·     Statistics in practice

·     International Journal of Experimental Design and Process Optimization

·     American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics

Key websites and on-line resources:

http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/tools-and-resources/research-resources/index.aspx

http://www.lrs.org/resources.php

http://srmo.sagepub.com/

http://www.methodspace.com/page/about-this-space

http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/

http://www.experiment-resources.com/

http://www.amstat.org/education/usefulsitesforteachers.cfm

http://statistics-help-for-students.com/

https://www.hesa.ac.uk/stats

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/probability

https://learnandteachstatistics.wordpress.com/

http://www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v6n3/smith.html

https://www.udacity.com/course/intro-to-statistics--st101

http://course.statslc.com/

Learning Outcomes

1. Having successfully completed the module, learners should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of: 

·     Ethical considerations in research

·     Philosophy of science

·     How to choose and develop proper research projects

2. Learners should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of relevant techniques and approaches applicable to the research

3. Learners should demonstrate a clear understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used in the discipline

4. How to formulate hypotheses and to design tests of hypotheses

5. Experimental design

6. Data collection

7. Data exploration and handling of data

8. Interpretation and reporting of results

·     Apply a range of standard and specialised research techniques of enquiry

·     Plan and carry out a research or development project.

·     Communicate their research to wide range of audience with some levels of expertise

·     Communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists

·     Use a wide range of appropriate software for presentation/communication to the audience

·     Evaluate a wide range of numerical and graphical information

·     Synthesise and critically analysing the content of a scientific paper

·     Use an appropriate experimental design and sampling schedule.

·     Use an appropriate statistical method to analyse data, evaluate and report the results.

Research Methodology and Biometry

Research Methods and Data Management Module is taught to Year III Agribusiness students. It is composed of three learning units:

1. Research Methods

2. Data Management 

3. Data Analysis & Software Application

- Aim:

(i) The main objective of this course is to make the student able to design, to implement  & organize, to carry out and to write various research tasks.

(ii) To make student familiar with basic knowledge of Data Management; Data collection and Analysis and application of software in problems solving.

Welcome to the module “International Food and Agricultural Products Trade”.

Brief description of aims 

Aim: The objective of  this course  is to provide a  foundation  in international trade theory and enable the student to apply this theory to the study of issues in globalization, economic integration and trade policy.  Broadly, the goals are to

i) understand existing patterns of international  trade 

ii)  ask  if  trade  is  beneficial  for  individual  economies  and  the wider

international  community  and  if  there  are  winners  and  losers  from  trade 

iii)  study the conduct of trade policy, its objectives and impacts

iv) gain familiarity with the world trading system.

Learning Outcomes 

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of this course, students should ideally be able to:

1)  understand  the major models  of  international  trade  and  compare  and  contrast them.

2)  understand  the principle of comparative advantage,  including  its  formal expression.

3)  analyze  the  linkages between  trade,  labor  and  capital movements,  international

fragmentation  of  production,  economic  well-being  and  the  income  distribution  and  to

identify and critically examine policy implications of these linkages.

4)  apply equilibrium models  to analyze  the economic effects  of policy  interventions including tariffs, quotas, export subsidies, anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties and the creation of preferential trading agreements.

 5)  critically  analyze  these  policy  interventions  in  terms  of  their  costs  and  benefits, including their implications for economic well-being, performance and competitiveness.

6)  Understand major recent developments in the world trading system and comment critically on  their  effects  on  individual  economies  and  on  the  wider  international community.

Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of Knowledge

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

1. Explain patterns  of world production  and  trade and  ask  if  international  trade  is beneficial. This will be done with the help of models from international trade theory that are important components of the toolkit of contemporary  trade economists.

2.Explore  the  phenomena  of  outsourcing  and  international  mobility  of  labor (immigration) and capital (Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)). 

3.Analyze and compare  instruments  of  trade  policy  and  evaluate  their  impact  on  domestic  and international welfare. 

4. Compare  the world  trading  system,  including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and international trade agreements.

Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills

          Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

Write a report

Present the results

Have practice in discussion and reasoning

Compile a literature review and make an appropriate use of references

General transferable skills

          Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

Independently carry out a field survey

Apply basic tools of ascertaining the real advantages we get from international trade, trade restrictions and protectionism

The module is composed of 3 learning units:

1.International Food and Agricultural Products Trade

2. International Trade Policy

3. Seminar in Agribusiness

Indicative Resources:

The following textbooks are recommended for reading:

1.Feenstra,  Robert  C.  and  Alan M.  Taylor,  2014,  International  Economics,  3rd edition, Worth

    Publishers  (ISBN-13:  978-1-4292-7844-7;  ISBN-10:  1-4292- 7844-

Background Texts

Some useful links:

WTO, http://www.wto.org

UNCTAD,  http://www.unctad.org

OECD,  http://www.oecd.org

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NZ, http://www.mfat.govt.nz

Economists:

Paul Krugman (Princeton University website): https://www.princeton.edu/~pkrugman/

Journals

Useful journals can be found on Agora database accessible through www.ur.ac.rw. Agora database is a free database providing full text downloadable papers. Recommended journals are the following:

Journal of economics

Agricultural Economics

International trade

For a glossary of terms used in international economics, see Alan Deardorff’s (University

of Michigan) website at

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~alandear/glossary

Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environments

Dear Students, 

Welcome to this module of Geosciences

This module will help the students to acquire knowledge needed to manage natural resources

Content: GIS & Remote Sensing ( RS), Engineering Drawing

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Theory of Projection and Orthographic Projection

Students will understand principles of   GIS and drawing system.

Students will be able to use GIS in real world, to measure, record, analyse and interpret   data from GIS

Facilitators contacts

 - MUGWANEZA Francois

   e-mail: fmugwaneza2012@gmail.com

     Tel: 0788519447

- Nsanzumuhire Frodouald

This learning Unit will discuss the theories of the history of crop husbandry, origin of cultivated plants, crop propagation methods, the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual propagations, Cropping system, different types of cropping systems, advantages and disadvantages of cropping systems, identification of cropping system which is available in their village, cropping system in Africa. It will continue by explaining tillage practices, the implements which are used to till the soil, different techniques of tilling the soil. The following chapter will be the fertilizers and their uses, students will learn different types of fertilizers used to grow crops, advantages and disadvantages of fertilizers, different types of nutrients available in each types of fertilizers and their influence on crop growth and yield. It will end by discussing sowing practices, looking on different characteristics of high quality seed, how to choose high quality seed, seed certification, sowing and planting techniques. This learning unity will end up by discussing on the factors that influence the germination of seed and propagules.

this module will deal with: 

Agricultural economics

Notions of economic analysis, of consumer behavior, of demand, of supply, of producer behavior and of market equilibrium, agricultural activity, agricultural enterprise, factors of agricultural production, models of agricultural production, agro industry, simple relationship between factors and products, substitution between factors of production and products, agricultural demand and supply, formation of agricultural prices, intervention of Government on agricultural prices, farm return, natural resource revenues, agricultural mechanization, notion of development and economic growth, agricultural sector and organization of economic activity, agricultural sector and industrial development, agricultural sector and employment equilibrium, agricultural policy and development, agricultural sector and trade balance, agricultural sector and macroeconomic aggregates.

Farm Operation Management

General farm management including record keeping, income tax management, farm finance, and operational management of agricultural resources. Analysis of strategic management issues for agribusiness. Formulation of business strategy and solutions to strategic problems. Integration of operations, marketing, finance, and human resource management.

This course provides guidance to the students of Level 3 RDA on how project design, monitoring, and evaluation can better incorporate and address environmental issues  in agricultural sector within the typical project cycle. 

It will give students an understanding of the most common processes, tools, techniques, and theories that are necessary to evaluate an agricultural project. Through case study exercises and discussions, participants will learn on how to design and implement monitoring and evaluation processes that strengthen accountability and learning, and contribute to agricultural project effectiveness.

Brief description of the module

At the end of the module, students would possess in depth knowledge of Topographic features of land, its survey, GIS and RS and their application.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

•  Topographical survey of land
•  Preparation of contour maps and profiles of road, drain/channels
•  Principles and applications of Geographical Information system and remote sensing.

• Practically carryout and plotting the topographical survey.

• Practically demonstrate GIS and remote sensing tools.

• INDICATIVE CONTENT

1. GIS and Remote sensing

   Theory: General definitions and components of GIS, Modes of representing geographical information in GIS, Basic structure for given geographic location, Land observation, Global positioning system, GIS application, Communication of the information, Collection of information, Structure and analysis and storage of  information, Communicate the information, Exchange of different  information (given data base, thematic maps, records,  Information receiver,  Means to communicate data  in GIS, Remote sensing and its application.

•  Practical: Exercise on GIS and GPS tools, Reading remote sensing maps

• Topography

  Course content

  Theory: Introductions, Methods of Linear Measurements - Accessories for Linear Measurements - Ranging/Procedure -Chain surveying, Compass traversing - Introduction and purpose - Principles of compass surveying and traversing - Methods of traversing, Leveling - Definition, object and use of leveling - Different types of leveling - Sources of errors in leveling, Contouring, Definition, Preparing contour maps, Methods of contouring- Methods of interpolation, Theodolite Traverse – Definition, Use of theodolite, Computation – Introduction- Computation of area from field book -Problems of computing area from plotted plan -The mid ordinate rule -The average ordinate rule - Trapezoidal rule, Introduction to GPS and GIS tools - understanding GPS and its application - Introduction to principles and application of GIS.

  Practical: Chain surveying, leveling, Reading of Horizontal and vertical angles – Measurement of bearing using compass, Theodolite surveying, Preparation of contour map and profiles.

• Course content

  Theory: Introductions, Methods of Linear Measurements - Accessories for Linear Measurements - Ranging/Procedure -Chain surveying, Compass traversing - Introduction and purpose - Principles of compass surveying and traversing - Methods of traversing, Leveling - Definition, object and use of leveling - Different types of leveling - Sources of errors in leveling, Contouring, Definition, Preparing contour maps, Methods of contouring- Methods of interpolation, Theodolite Traverse – Definition, Use of theodolite, Computation – Introduction- Computation of area from field book -Problems of computing area from plotted plan -The mid ordinate rule -The average ordinate rule - Trapezoidal rule, Introduction to GPS and GIS tools - understanding GPS and its application - Introduction to principles and application of GIS.

  Practical: Chain surveying, leveling, Reading of Horizontal and vertical angles – Measurement of bearing using compass, Theodolite surveying, Preparation of contour map and profiles.

From the module, students will understand what is food, sources and   components and healthy  relationship. Food industry structure and role of food processing in human society will be given.

This course is a component of the module of Research methodology (ANP 6125) taught to graduate students in the masters program of Animal Production in the school of Veterinary medicine. 

The course has two parts:

1. Research Communication part which discuss the main type of research communication, tools available for research communication and documented best strategies to improve research communications including early engagement f research users as well as efficient use of ICT. 
2. Intellectual Property Rights part which will focus on the two main categories concerned by the intellectual property: Industrial property (including patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical locations) and copyrights that covers literary works. 

The course will present various case studies to enhance and optimize discussions in class. Graduate students will also be given various assignments which are expected to provide them with increased capacity for critical thinking. 

Enjoy the course

Food processing is an important activity in agriculture to ensure the food security

This course deals with technology of an array of milk products viz. Yoghurt, Cheese

    1. To review the basic principles of the analytical procedures commonly used to analyze foods,

    2. and to discuss their application to specific food components, e.g. lipids, proteins, water, carbohydrates and ash. 

This course is designed for the students of year 4 Horticulture. It covers the topics related to the cultivation of high value crops by using water solutions with or without substrates.