Application Window is Open
Admission is NOW open for the Mphil Crop Science programme!
Application Deadline
Tuesday, 31st October, 2023.
Master of Philosophy
Distance (Face-to-face/Online)
Four (4) - (2 years)
On behalf of the Departmental Board, I welcome you to take a tour of our Master of Philosophy Crop Science programme (Distance Learning) which is currently being hosted at the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, KNUST.
The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences has over the years proven to be one of the most excellent and proficient Departments in terms of promoting top-notch academic content and dynamic students skilled for the 21st-century industry.
The Department currently runs many postgraduate programmes leading to awards in Mphil and PhD in Agronomy, Soil Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. We have strong collaborative links with industries based in Ghana, US, UK and Western European. On the research front, we have received several funding support from USAID, DANIDA, Royal Society-DFID Grant, United Nations World Food programme, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), just to mention a few. I invite you now to take a tour of this blog to know more about this Department and the our new programme Mphil Crop Science.
Once again, you are welcome to enrol today!
To produce specialists with a broad-based knowledge, practical skill and positive attitude in crop science for sustainable crop production.
Train students in the design and the analysis of agricultural experiments with proper interpretation of outcomes.
Equip students in the communication of meaningful scientific research and knowledge to stakeholders in the agricultural value chain for greater impact;
Assist students in developing and advising sound policies on soil conservation and fertility management for sustainable food production;
Equip students to the tenets and principles underlying crop breeding and biotechnology for cultivar development, multiplication, and distribution; and
Equip students with skills in formulating crop protection management strategies for major crops for food, feed, forage, and fibre in Ghana.
Prospective applicants should purchase an e-Voucher containing Login ID/Serial Number and PIN for GHȼ280.00 for Ghanaian Applicants and Ghanaian applicants and US$150.00 for Foreign Applicants at the following banks: GCB Bank, Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) or ECOBANK or dial *447*160# on any network and follow the prompts.
MPC 551 BIOMETRY (2, 2, 3)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Conduct research based on the principles of scientific research.
Demonstrate independently their skills in conducting research under both field and greenhouse conditions.
Analyse data using different statistical packages.
Communicate effectively research findings in a scientific manner.
MPC 553: CROP GENETICS AND BREEDING (2, 2, 3)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Apply acquired knowledge on modes of reproduction in plants in designing appropriate breeding strategies for self-pollinating, cross-pollinating, and clonally propagated crops,
Set product targets and breeding objectives,
Accurately the limitations of conventional breeding methods in cultivar development and how they can be circumvented by biotechnological interventions; and
Apply quantitative reasoning and genetic principles to design and evaluate breeding pipelines.
MPC 555: PLANT HEALTH AND PROTECTION (2, 2, 3)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Apply the concepts of crop protection and terminologies.
Describe pathogens and pests and to distinguish other destructive pathogens and pests.
Diagnose disease pathogens and identify pests accurately and precisely.
Control or manage plant pathogens and pests using appropriate and effective management options.
MPC 557: SOIL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION (2, 2, 3)
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
Apply the concept of agroecological zones for decision-making in soil and water conservation.
Apply the skills acquired in soil erosion control on croplands.
Apply skills acquired in soil water conservation in the era of climate change.
Identify major soils based on key attribute attributes of the major soils of the world.
MPC 559: CROP-LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION (2, 2, 3)
Leaning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Describe integrated crop-livestock systems.
Identify the opportunities for increasing nutrient use and efficiency.
Explore the possibilities of limiting the use of farm inputs in C-L systems.
Evaluate and describe the manure handling practices and nutrient use efficiency.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Explain key management theories and concepts for effective communication.
Understand the importance of human communication and its implication for extension work.
Develop students’ competence in research communication and presentation.
Apply the knowledge, skills, and technical know-how to start and maintain viable agribusiness.
MPC 554: SEED HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY (2, 2, 3)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Understand the terminologies, concepts of seed health, seed pathology and entomology
Determine how pests/pathogens enter a country/region and also spread
Assess and identify seed/planting material health status using standard methods or procedures
Produce or support the production of quality seeds and certified planting materials for the achievement of national food and nutrition security goals.
MPC 556: PHYSIOLOGY OF CROP PLANTS (2, 2, 3)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Appreciate the importance of dry matter production in relation to crop growth and yield;
Measure or calculate various crop growth indices and independently undertake varying growth analysis;
Gain an understanding of crop-related stress conditions and how to manage them under field conditions and
Apply the principles of crop and plant physiology in agricultural production.
Learning outcomes
Outline the primary agricultural risk management tools appropriate for mitigating and preventing risk on-farm and at the community level.
Describe the major finance/market-related agricultural risk management tools and the situations best suited for the adoption of these tools.
Discuss the government-supported agricultural risk management tools, which strive to provide solutions that safeguard the interests of the producers and consumers.
Identify the suitability of these tools alone or in combination for a given situation.
MPC 560: INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT (2, 2, 3)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
Understand the principles of ISFM.
Discuss the concepts of soil health and rhizosphere biology.
Apply fertilizer application using different models
Discuss gender, policy, and marketing issues associated with ISFM.
MPC 562: SEMINAR I (0,2,2)
Learning outcome
At the end of the first semester each student is expected to make an oral presentation on his/her research proposal for assessment.
MPC 651: SEMINAR II (0, 2, 2)
Learning outcome
Each student will make an oral presentation on the progress of work on his/her thesis for assessment.
MPC 653: THESIS I (0, 40, 20)
Each student will write a draft thesis in a relevant area of Crop Science. The thesis will follow the approved format by the School of Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Departmental Board.
MPC 652: SEMINAR III (0, 2, 2)
Learning outcome
Each student will make an oral presentation of his/her research results for assessment.
MPC 654: THESIS II (0, 40, 20)
Learning outcome
Submission of a complete thesis in a relevant area of Crop Science written by each student in accordance with the format approved by the School of Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Departmental Board.
This Master of Philosophy programme is rolled out to meet the needs of the working class, who by virtue of their work designations and conditions of service, are unable to pursue the regular full-time programmes. The main strength of the programme is to enable the working class to receive best-quality classroom, field, research and laboratory experiences required for careers in industry, government, and farming. The students will also undertake research in important areas such as crop production systems, plant breeding and biotechnology, crop protection, soil fertility management, and groundwater contamination prevention. Thus, enrolled students will acquire knowledge, skills and a good attitude to solve environmental and agricultural problems to promote food and nutrition security.
Mphil Crop Science with specialization in Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Nematology, and Soil Science.
The programme will accept first degree holders with a minimum of Second Class (Lower Division) in Agriculture and Natural Resources and relevant or related disciplines from an approved or recognized University or Institution of higher learning.
A minimum of two years of relevant academic, administrative or field experience will be an advantage but not a prerequisite.
Candidates must pass a selection interview to be conducted by the Department and demonstrate their ability to pay required fees.
Prof. Charles Kwoseh
Prof. Enoch Osekre
Prof. Joseph Sarkodie-Addo
Prof. Ricahard Akromah
Prof. J,V.K. Afun
Prof. R.T. Awuah
Prof. N. Ewusi-Mensah
Prof. Vincent Logah
Prof. Christopher Antwi
Dr. Andrews Opoku
Dr. Henry Oppong Tuffour
Dr. Alexander Wireko Kena
Dr. Benjamin Annor
Dr. Emmanuel Oyewo
Dr. Isaac Kamkam Boadu
Dr. Alice Afrakomah Amoah