Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the B.Tech Agriculture program at Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya Nagaon is meticulously designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of agricultural systems and technologies. The program is structured over eight semesters, ensuring that students progress from foundational knowledge to advanced research and specialization.
Each semester builds upon the previous one, integrating theoretical concepts with practical applications through laboratory experiments, fieldwork, and industry exposure. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, combining core subjects in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering with specialized courses in agronomy, biotechnology, and sustainable practices.
Course Catalogue
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AG 101 | Introduction to Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG 102 | Soil Science | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG 103 | Botany | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG 104 | Zoology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG 105 | Environmental Science | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG 106 | Mathematics for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG 107 | Basic Statistics | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 2 | AG 201 | Crop Production Technology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 101, AG 102 |
| 2 | AG 202 | Plant Pathology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 101, AG 103 |
| 2 | AG 203 | Entomology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 101, AG 103 |
| 2 | AG 204 | Agronomy | 3-0-0-3 | AG 101, AG 102 |
| 2 | AG 205 | Field Work I | 0-0-4-2 | - |
| 3 | AG 301 | Sustainable Crop Production | 3-0-0-3 | AG 201, AG 202 |
| 3 | AG 302 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | AG 103, AG 104 |
| 3 | AG 303 | Precision Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AG 201, AG 204 |
| 3 | AG 304 | Agro-Environmental Management | 3-0-0-3 | AG 105 |
| 3 | AG 305 | Agricultural Economics & Policy | 3-0-0-3 | AG 106 |
| 3 | AG 306 | Food Processing & Quality Control | 3-0-0-3 | AG 201, AG 202 |
| 4 | AG 401 | Climate Resilient Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AG 301, AG 302 |
| 4 | AG 402 | Agro-Industrial Development | 3-0-0-3 | AG 305 |
| 4 | AG 403 | Advanced Soil Science | 3-0-0-3 | AG 102 |
| 4 | AG 404 | Agricultural Research Methods | 3-0-0-3 | AG 107 |
| 4 | AG 405 | Project Management in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | AG 406 | Internship | 0-0-8-4 | - |
| 5 | AG 501 | Specialized Elective I | 3-0-0-3 | AG 401 or AG 402 |
| 5 | AG 502 | Specialized Elective II | 3-0-0-3 | AG 401 or AG 402 |
| 5 | AG 503 | Specialized Elective III | 3-0-0-3 | AG 401 or AG 402 |
| 5 | AG 504 | Research Thesis I | 0-0-12-6 | - |
| 6 | AG 601 | Research Thesis II | 0-0-12-6 | AG 504 |
| 6 | AG 602 | Capstone Project | 0-0-12-6 | - |
| 6 | AG 603 | Professional Development | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 6 | AG 604 | Industry Exposure | 0-0-8-4 | - |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Advanced departmental elective courses are designed to deepen students' understanding and expertise in specific areas of agriculture. These courses often involve research-based learning, case studies, and practical applications.
- Advanced Crop Physiology: This course delves into the physiological processes of crop growth, focusing on photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and stress responses. Students learn to apply advanced techniques in crop physiology for optimizing yield and resilience.
- Genetic Engineering in Agriculture: Explores modern biotechnology tools like CRISPR-Cas9, gene editing, and transgenic crops. Emphasis is placed on ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and real-world applications in crop improvement.
- Agro-Economic Modeling: Utilizes mathematical models to analyze economic factors affecting agriculture, including market dynamics, risk assessment, and policy impacts on farming communities.
- Sustainable Water Management: Addresses water scarcity issues through innovative irrigation techniques, watershed management, and conservation strategies tailored for agricultural systems.
- Post-Harvest Technology: Covers storage methods, packaging innovations, food safety standards, and value addition techniques to minimize post-harvest losses.
- Plant Microbial Interactions: Studies the symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes, exploring how beneficial microorganisms enhance plant growth and resistance to pathogens.
- Agricultural Risk Management: Focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with farming operations, including climate variability, market fluctuations, and pest outbreaks.
- Urban Agriculture: Examines sustainable practices in urban environments, including vertical farming, hydroponics, and community gardens as solutions to food security in cities.
- Organic Farming Systems: Reviews the principles and practices of organic agriculture, comparing them with conventional methods and evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing soil health and biodiversity.
- Agri-Tourism Development: Explores how tourism can be integrated into agricultural landscapes to create economic opportunities for rural communities while preserving natural resources.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department's philosophy on project-based learning emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaborative teamwork. Students begin working on mini-projects in their second year, selecting topics aligned with current challenges in agriculture such as climate change adaptation or sustainable farming practices.
Mini-projects are typically conducted over a period of 2-3 months and involve extensive research, data collection, analysis, and presentation. Students work under the guidance of faculty mentors who provide academic support and feedback throughout the process. These projects often lead to publications in journals or presentations at conferences.
The final-year capstone project involves extensive research and development, often leading to patent applications or startup ideas. Students form interdisciplinary teams, collaborate with industry partners, and present their findings at national and international forums. The evaluation criteria include innovation, impact, technical soundness, and sustainability of the proposed solutions.