Course Structure Overview
The Agriculture program at M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences Bangalore is structured into eight semesters, with a balanced mix of core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions designed to build both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AG 101 | Introduction to Agriculture | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | AG 102 | Biology for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | AG 103 | Chemistry for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | AG 104 | Physics for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | AG 105 | Mathematics for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | AG 106 | Basic Soil Science | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 2 | AG 201 | Crop Science I | 3-0-0-3 | AG 101, AG 102 |
| 2 | AG 202 | Plant Physiology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 102 |
| 2 | AG 203 | Agricultural Economics | 3-0-0-3 | AG 105 |
| 2 | AG 204 | Soil Chemistry and Microbiology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 103, AG 106 |
| 2 | AG 205 | Introduction to Data Analytics | 2-0-0-2 | AG 105 |
| 3 | AG 301 | Crop Science II | 3-0-0-3 | AG 201, AG 202 |
| 3 | AG 302 | Plant Pathology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 202 |
| 3 | AG 303 | Environmental Science | 3-0-0-3 | AG 102, AG 104 |
| 3 | AG 304 | Animal Husbandry | 3-0-0-3 | AG 102 |
| 3 | AG 305 | Research Methodology | 2-0-0-2 | AG 203 |
| 4 | AG 401 | Precision Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AG 205, AG 301 |
| 4 | AG 402 | Plant Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 202, AG 302 |
| 4 | AG 403 | Sustainable Farming Practices | 3-0-0-3 | AG 301, AG 303 |
| 4 | AG 404 | Agro-Economics and Policy | 3-0-0-3 | AG 203 |
| 4 | AG 405 | Food Processing | 3-0-0-3 | AG 304 |
| 5 | AG 501 | Data Analytics in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AG 205, AG 401 |
| 5 | AG 502 | Water Management and Irrigation | 3-0-0-3 | AG 106 |
| 5 | AG 503 | Rural Development | 3-0-0-3 | AG 203 |
| 5 | AG 504 | Advanced Crop Production | 3-0-0-3 | AG 301 |
| 5 | AG 505 | Project Planning and Design | 2-0-0-2 | AG 401, AG 501 |
| 6 | AG 601 | Specialized Elective I | 3-0-0-3 | AG 501 |
| 6 | AG 602 | Specialized Elective II | 3-0-0-3 | AG 501 |
| 6 | AG 603 | Specialized Elective III | 3-0-0-3 | AG 501 |
| 6 | AG 604 | Field Research Project | 3-0-0-3 | AG 505 |
| 7 | AG 701 | Internship | 6-0-0-6 | AG 604 |
| 8 | AG 801 | Final Year Thesis/Capstone Project | 9-0-0-9 | AG 701 |
Detailed Elective Course Descriptions
The following advanced departmental electives are offered in the final years of the program to allow students to specialize and explore niche areas within agriculture:
Precision Agriculture and Technology Integration
This course explores how modern technologies such as GPS mapping, drones, IoT sensors, and data analytics can be integrated into farming practices. Students learn to collect, analyze, and interpret agricultural data to make informed decisions about crop management, resource allocation, and yield optimization.
Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
This elective delves into the science of modifying plants at the genetic level to enhance traits like disease resistance, nutritional value, and productivity. Students gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques such as PCR, gene cloning, and transgenic plant development.
Sustainable Crop Management
Focused on eco-friendly farming practices, this course covers topics like organic fertilization, integrated pest management, and conservation tillage methods. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining soil health while maximizing agricultural output.
Agricultural Economics and Market Analysis
This course combines economic principles with agricultural production to analyze market trends, pricing strategies, and profitability models in farming. Students learn how to evaluate investment decisions and develop sustainable business plans for agri-enterprises.
Environmental Science and Conservation
This course examines the relationship between agriculture and environmental systems. Topics include biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, pollution control, and climate change adaptation strategies in agricultural landscapes.
Food Processing and Quality Control
Students explore post-harvest handling techniques, food safety standards, quality assurance protocols, and value addition processes. The course includes laboratory sessions on food preservation, packaging design, and sensory evaluation methods.
Rural Development and Extension Services
This elective focuses on understanding rural communities, policy frameworks, and extension services that support agricultural development. Students learn how to implement community-based projects and communicate effectively with farmers and stakeholders.
Water Resources and Irrigation Management
Designed to address water scarcity issues in agriculture, this course covers irrigation design, water conservation techniques, and efficient water use strategies. Students study the impact of climate variability on water availability and learn about sustainable irrigation technologies.
Project-Based Learning Approach
Project-based learning is a cornerstone of the program's curriculum, starting from the second year. Mini-projects are assigned to students in groups of 3-5, focusing on specific agricultural challenges such as pest control, soil nutrient analysis, or crop yield prediction.
The final-year capstone project allows students to choose a topic related to their specialization and work closely with a faculty mentor. Projects are evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, impact, and presentation skills. Students are encouraged to collaborate with industry partners or government agencies for real-world relevance.