Department of Food Production

Throughout the Caribbean, greater emphasis is being given to sustainable agricultural development to achieve food and nutrition security at the national and the regional levels as well as for effecting transformation of rural communities. The University of the West Indies (UWI), as the institution vested by CARICOM with the responsibility for human resource development to drive the region’s food and nutrition security initiatives, is committed to the training of graduates in food and tropical agriculture with expertise in various sub-disciplines, in sufficient numbers and with qualifications at different levels. To better serve the region, the UWI has taken steps to strengthen the institutional framework for agricultural education by establishing the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) in St Augustine effective August 1, 2012.

Not only is a recognition of the multi-dimensional nature of agriculture critical for transformation of this sector in the region in the 21st century, but additionally availability of adequate numbers of appropriately trained human resources at all levels within the sector is crucial.

GRADUATE CAREER PATHS

This certificate programme is designed to equip graduates with the necessary competencies, skill sets and knowledge to:

• become modern-day farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs (e.g., Horticulturists, aquaculturist, etc.)

• become specialists in agricultural technologies

• commence a career in the agriculture sector as entry level technical or support personnel

• become agricultural extension agents

• pursue degree level training in agricultural science and technology-oriented programmes

• serve as teachers of agriculture at the primary school level

ACADEMIC QUALITY ASSURANCE

Diverse approaches will be employed for quality assurance purposes of the UWI certificate programme. Periodic internal and external review of the programme will be employed in accordance with existing UWI practice. Members of FFA academic staff will serve as examiners in relevant courses. Internal evaluation of the programme will take into account inputs from stakeholders.

PROGRAMME CONTENT

The curriculum is designed to facilitate integration of knowledge, competencies and skills development across the curriculum to reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of agriculture. The programme incorporates information technology and communication skills in a curriculum, which integrates the competencies of the agricultural and other support sciences, including the social sciences, with agricultural technology. This approach is adopted on the one hand to strengthen the science and communication content of the curriculum while maintaining a sound practical agricultural base and social science orientation of the programme on the other.

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

The programme of study for the Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture offered in the FFA is outlined in Table 1.

PERIOD OF STUDY

The period of study for the Certificate in Agriculture shall normally be one (1) year of full-time study.

COURSE DELIVERY MODES

The training for this Certificate requires mastery of a range of skills and competencies, and knowledge pertinent to the level, therefore, various relevant delivery modes suitably adapted for each course will be used to ensure the achievement of the curricular goals.

The delivery modes would include lectures supported by active learning strategies such as tutorials, projects, field and laboratory-based practicals and field visits. Specially designed courses will be offered at the University Field Station to ensure that the graduates are well-grounded in the practical aspects of food and agriculture from the farm to the table.

Course assessments are designed to match the requirements of each course. These include but are not limited to in-term and final exams, which may comprise MCQ, short answer and essay type questions; written reports associated with practical activities such as laboratory exercises and field trips; and individual and group research projects combined with oral presentations and seminars. Further details of these assessments are provided in the respective course outlines (Appendix 1).

AWARD OF THE CERTIFICATE

The Certificate in Agriculture will be awarded on successful completion of 32 credits. In order to qualify for this award, students must have passed all the required courses and attained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least two (2.0).

PROGRAMME COORDINATION

The Department of Food Production will coordinate the UCA.

REGULATIONS FOR THE CERTIFICATE IN AGRICULTURE (UCA)

1. PREFACE

The Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture is a one-year full time programme which targets holders of a CSEC certificate interested in Certificate level training in agriculture as a means of matriculating to degree programmes in Agriculture or a career at the technical level in the food and agriculture sector chain. In addition to regulations governing its administration, the UCA is subject to both University and FFA regulations.

2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE CERTIFICATE

In order to be admitted into Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture programme candidates must:

• Passes in a minimum of five (5) GCE O’ Level or CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency Level examination at Grades I, II or, since 1998, Grade III, including English Language and Mathematics and must have at least one science subject which may include Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Integrated Science or Physics.

• Candidates who do not have at least 1 science subject but have relevant practical experience in agriculture will also be considered.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: Candidates who do not possess a pass in CSEC English A at Grades I, II or since 1998, Grade III, a

Grade A in GCE O’ Level/BGCSE English Language, would be required to pass the English Language Proficiency Test offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Education.

MATHEMATICS: Candidates who do not possess a pass in CSEC Mathematics at Grades I, II or since 1998, Grade III, a Grade A in GCE O’ Level/BGCSE Mathematics, would be required to pass the Course IYMS 1001/ MATH 0103: Improving Your Math Skills offered at Open Campus.

Students will be allowed to repeat their qualifying semester but must attain the minimum requirements of passes in ELPT or IYMS 1001/ MATH 0103: Improving your Math Skills before entry into the Certificate.

3. OUTLINE OF THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME

Students admitted to the Certificate programme are expected to complete 32 credits over a one-year period. The structure of the programme is given below:

5. REGISTRATION

(a) New students are admitted to the Certificate only during the beginning of each academic year.

(b) A student must register for courses at the beginning of each SEMESTER WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIODS, precise information about which can be obtained from the UWI website and/or notice boards.

(c) A student’s registration is deemed complete only when he/she has been granted financial clearance by the University.

(d) Students may normally register for the maximum number of credits as determined by the programme for each semester. If a student wishes to register for additional courses, then he/she should apply for permission to do so during registration.

(e) A student who has recorded a pass in a course will not be permitted to re-register for that course.

(f) Registration for a course constitutes registration for the associated examination.

6. PROGRESS THROUGH THE PROGRAMME

(a) Academic standing of every student will be determined on the basis of cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

(b) A student must normally maintain a CGPA of 2.0 to progress through the programme.

(c) Any student whose CGPA falls below 2.0 at the end of any semester would normally be required to withdraw from the programme for a year.

8. EXAMINATION

(a) In order to pass a course, a candidate must have a satisfactory attendance record (i.e., a minimum of 90% attendance) for both classes and all allied activities and must have satisfied the examiners in the associated examinations.

(b) Assessment in each course could involve a combination of methods, and assessment details on each course are given in the outline of each course.

(c) End of semester written examinations for each course will be of two (2) hours duration.

(d) In order to satisfy the examiners, candidates must obtain a minimum mark of 50% in each course.

(e) Any student who, having registered for a course, fails to take the examination on that course shall be deemed to have failed the examination unless:

(i) Prior approval was given for the student to drop the course by the relevant authority or.

(ii) The student could not attend because of illness or other grave cause. In the case of illness, a medical certificate must be submitted to the Examination’s Section of the Registry within 7days after the specific examination.

(f) A student who fails one or more courses while maintaining a CGPA of 2.0 will be granted permission to sit supplementary examinations in the failed courses during the July/August period provided that the total number of failed credits is no more than six (6).

(g) Students taking written examinations shall be subject to the University Examination Regulations for First Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates save that the functions assigned to the Campus Committee on Examinations shall be performed by the Senior Assistant Registrar, Examinations or his/her nominee.

9. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE CERTIFICATE

In order to be eligible for the award of the certificate in agriculture, candidates must have:

(a) been in satisfactory attendance normally for a period equivalent to three (3) semesters of full-time study

(b) obtained passes in all prescribed courses amounting to 32 credits; and

(c) maintained a minimum CGPA of 2.0

10. TIME LIMITS FOR COMPLETION AND ENFORCED WITHDRAWALS

(a) The time period allowed for completion of the Certificate for full-time students shall normally be a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of three (3) academic years.

(b) Students who fail to complete the Certificate by the end of the second academic year will normally be required to withdraw from the programme subject to 10 (c) below.

(c) Students who fail to complete the requirements within the prescribed maximum period but need no more than nine (9) credits to graduate may apply for an extension of time. Such cases will be considered on case-by-case basis.

(d) For the purposes of Regulations 10 (a) to 10 (c) above, any semester for which a student has been granted Leave of Absence from the Certificate shall not be counted.

(e) A student who was required to withdraw from the CERTIFICATE MUST REAPPLY FOR ENTRY THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCEDURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UWI SCHEDULE FOR APPLICATION TO ENROL

(f) A student who was required to withdraw and was re-admitted and then required to withdraw for a second time, will not normally be considered for re-admission again until a minimum period of five years has elapsed. Such students will be treated as first time applicants if they apply for re-admission.

11. LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWALS

(a) A student who wishes to be absent from the Certificate a semester or more must apply for Leave of Absence.

(b) Leave of Absence will not be granted for more than two (2) consecutive semesters in the first instance. However, students may apply for an extension of leave.

(c) Leave of Absence will not be granted for more than four (4) consecutive semesters.

(d) Applications for Leave of Absence should normally be submitted no later than the end of the change in registration period in the relevant semester.

(e) A student who does not register for any course during a semester without having obtained Leave of Absence will be deemed to have dropped out from the UCA and will have to re-apply for entry into the programme if he/she so desires.

(f) A student who drops out or voluntarily withdraws from the University and then applies for re-admission within five (5) years shall be granted exemption and credit for all courses previously passed unless the Department concerned declares that the material covered in a course has become outdated. All grades previously obtained except those for courses declared outdated shall be part of the student’s academic record.

12. GPA AND AWARD OF CERTIFICATE

(a) A CGPA based on all courses completed for which grades have been obtained (except those taken on a Pass/Fail basis) will be determined and forms part of the academic record of a student.

(b) In the determination of the CGPA, all failed courses are included treating each repeat as a separate and independent contribution for this purpose.

(c) Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the certificate and those who perform exceptionally well will be awarded with distinction.

13. GRADING SCHEME

The Grading Scheme used in the FFA is adapted for the UCA as follows:

14. AWARD OF CERTIFICATE

A student who completes the programme with a CGPA of 3.7 or above will be awarded the Certificate with Distinction.

MATRICULATION AND ADMISSION LEVELS TO BSc PROGRAMMES IN FFA

The graduates of the Certificate in Agriculture will meet the matriculation requirements for admission to specific BSc programmes in the FFA.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

In order to be admitted into Undergraduate Certificate in Agriculture programme candidates must:

• Satisfy the lower level matriculation requirements of the University of the West Indies (UWI) of five (5) GCE O’ Level or CSEC subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, and have at least one science subject, which may include Agricultural Science (both the single and double awards count as one subject), Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Integrated Science, Environmental Science or Physics.

• Candidates who do not have at least one science subject but have relevant practical experience in agriculture will also be considered.