Curriculum Overview for Agriculture Program

Course Structure and Credit Distribution

The Agriculture program at G H Raisoni International Skill Tech University Pune is structured over eight semesters, with each semester comprising a combination of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, laboratory practicals, and project work. The total credit distribution ensures balanced exposure to theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.

Each course has a unique identifier that includes the program abbreviation (AG), semester number, and sequential course number. For example, AG-101 refers to the first course in the first semester of the Agriculture program.

Core Subjects and Prerequisites

Core subjects form the foundation of the program, ensuring students acquire fundamental knowledge in key areas of agriculture. These subjects are designed to build upon each other progressively, with prerequisites clearly defined for each course to ensure proper sequencing.

• Introduction to Agriculture (AG-101): Provides an overview of the field, its history, and modern applications. No prerequisites required.
• Basic Biology (AG-102): Covers essential biological concepts relevant to agriculture including cellular structure, genetics, and evolution. Requires basic knowledge of chemistry.
• Mathematics for Agriculture (AG-103): Focuses on mathematical tools used in agricultural analysis such as statistics, calculus, and linear algebra. Requires proficiency in basic mathematics.
• Chemistry of Agriculture (AG-104): Explores chemical processes involved in soil fertility, plant nutrition, and pesticide interactions. Requires knowledge of basic chemistry concepts.
• Physics for Agriculture (AG-105): Introduces physical principles relevant to farming operations including mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity. Requires understanding of basic physics concepts.
• Environmental Science (AG-106): Examines environmental factors affecting agricultural systems and sustainability practices. No prerequisites required.

Departmental Electives and Specialization Tracks

Departmental electives allow students to explore advanced topics based on their interests and career aspirations. These courses are offered in various tracks including plant biotechnology, precision agriculture, sustainable farming systems, and agri-business management.

• Plant Cell Culture and Biotechnology (AG-501): Focuses on advanced techniques in plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, and biotechnological applications. Prerequisite: Genetics & Breeding (AG-302).
• Agroforestry Systems (AG-502): Examines integration of trees with crops or livestock for sustainable agriculture. Prerequisite: Plant Physiology (AG-201).
• Climate Resilient Crop Varieties (AG-503): Studies breeding methods for developing crops resistant to extreme weather conditions. Prerequisite: Genetics & Breeding (AG-302).
• Digital Agriculture and IoT (AG-504): Integrates digital technologies in farming operations including sensor networks and smart farm management platforms. Prerequisite: Data Analytics in Agriculture (AG-305).
• Soil Health Management (AG-505): Covers soil testing methodologies, nutrient management strategies, and microbial activity assessment. Prerequisite: Soil Science (AG-202).
• Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming (AG-506): Explores innovative approaches to growing food in urban environments using hydroponics, aeroponics, and controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Prerequisite: Plant Physiology (AG-201).
• Agricultural Water Use Efficiency (AG-507): Focuses on optimizing water usage in irrigation systems through drip irrigation, sprinkler technology, and rainwater harvesting. Prerequisite: Irrigation Engineering (AG-303).
• Agri-Blockchain Applications (AG-508): Investigates how blockchain technology can enhance transparency and traceability in agricultural supply chains. Prerequisite: Data Analytics in Agriculture (AG-305).
• Post-Harvest Technology (AG-509): Covers storage techniques, processing methods, packaging innovations, and quality preservation strategies for agricultural products. Prerequisite: Plant Physiology (AG-201).
• Sustainable Pest Control Strategies (AG-510): Emphasizes eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides through biological control agents and integrated pest management (IPM). Prerequisite: Crop Protection (AG-301).

Science Electives

Science electives broaden students' scientific knowledge beyond traditional agricultural domains. These courses are designed to complement core subjects and enhance analytical skills.

• Microbiology (AG-205): Explores microbial processes in soil and plant health. Prerequisite: Basic Biology (AG-102).
• Environmental Science (AG-106): Examines environmental factors affecting agricultural systems and sustainability practices. No prerequisites required.
• Statistics for Agriculture (AG-307): Introduces statistical methods used in analyzing agricultural data including hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and experimental design. Prerequisite: Mathematics for Agriculture (AG-103).
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Agriculture (AG-408): Applies GIS tools to analyze spatial data related to crop distribution, soil properties, and climate patterns. Prerequisite: Data Analytics in Agriculture (AG-305).

Laboratory Practical Sessions

Laboratory sessions are integral to the learning experience, providing students with hands-on exposure to agricultural techniques and technologies. Each lab session is designed to reinforce theoretical concepts taught in lectures.

• Lab Practical I (AG-107): Introduction to laboratory equipment, basic chemical tests, and biological experiments. No prerequisites required.
• Lab Practical II (AG-206): Soil analysis, plant tissue preparation, and microbiological techniques. Prerequisites: Chemistry of Agriculture (AG-104), Basic Biology (AG-102).
• Lab Practical III (AG-306): Crop protection experiments, genetic analysis, and irrigation system testing. Prerequisites: Crop Protection (AG-301), Genetics & Breeding (AG-302).
• Lab Practical IV (AG-406): Data analytics using software tools, precision agriculture equipment, and environmental monitoring techniques. Prerequisites: Data Analytics in Agriculture (AG-305), Irrigation Engineering (AG-303).
• Lab Practical V (AG-506): Advanced soil health testing, plant biotechnology procedures, and sustainable farming practices. Prerequisites: Soil Health Management (AG-505), Plant Biotechnology (AG-501).
• Lab Practical VI (AG-606): Research methodology implementation, capstone project experiments, and advanced laboratory techniques. Prerequisites: Research Methodology (AG-405), Final Year Thesis (AG-701).

Mini-Projects and Capstone Project Structure

The program incorporates a structured approach to project-based learning, beginning with mini-projects in early semesters and culminating in a comprehensive final-year thesis or capstone project.

Mini-Projects

Mini-projects are undertaken during the second, third, and fourth semesters. These projects typically last 4-6 weeks and involve small teams working on focused research questions under faculty supervision. Projects may include:

• Comparative analysis of different crop varieties for yield potential
• Soil fertility assessment in selected agricultural areas
• Impact evaluation of pesticide usage on plant health
• Design and testing of simple irrigation systems
• Data collection and analysis for a local farming community

Mini-projects are evaluated based on research methodology, data interpretation, presentation quality, and team collaboration. Students are encouraged to propose their own ideas but must align with available resources and faculty expertise.

Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project

The final-year thesis or capstone project is a major component of the program, requiring students to conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The project involves:

1. Topic Selection: Students choose topics based on their interests and career goals, consulting with faculty advisors.
2. Proposal Development: A detailed proposal outlining objectives, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes.
3. Research Execution: Conducting experiments, collecting data, analyzing results, and documenting findings.
4. Documentation: Writing a comprehensive report adhering to academic standards and formatting guidelines.
5. Presentation: Presenting the research to faculty panels and industry experts for feedback and evaluation.

The final project is assessed based on originality of approach, depth of research, technical accuracy, clarity of presentation, and overall contribution to the field. Successful completion leads to a degree certificate and potential publication opportunities in peer-reviewed journals.