Course Structure Overview
The Agriculture program at Mahaveer University Meerut spans 8 semesters over four years, with a carefully designed sequence of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions to ensure comprehensive learning outcomes.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | AGRO101 | Introduction to Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| I | AGRO102 | Basic Biology for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| I | AGRO103 | General Chemistry I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| I | AGRO104 | Physics for Engineers | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| I | AGRO105 | Mathematics I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| I | AGRO106 | English Communication Skills | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| II | AGRO201 | Crop Science I | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO102, AGRO103 |
| II | AGRO202 | Soil Science and Plant Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO103 |
| II | AGRO203 | Plant Pathology | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO102 |
| II | AGRO204 | Entomology and Pest Control | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO102 |
| II | AGRO205 | Agricultural Economics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| II | AGRO206 | Basic Mathematics II | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO105 |
| III | AGRO301 | Crop Science II | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO201 |
| III | AGRO302 | Plant Breeding and Genetics | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO102, AGRO201 |
| III | AGRO303 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO102, AGRO201 |
| III | AGRO304 | Data Analysis for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO105 |
| III | AGRO305 | Agricultural Policy and Administration | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| III | AGRO306 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| IV | AGRO401 | Precision Agriculture Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO201, AGRO304 |
| IV | AGRO402 | Agro-Informatics and GIS | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO304 |
| IV | AGRO403 | Sustainable Farming Practices | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO201, AGRO301 |
| IV | AGRO404 | Water Conservation in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO202 |
| IV | AGRO405 | Agricultural Economics and Marketing | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO205 |
| IV | AGRO406 | Research Methodology in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| V | AGRO501 | Advanced Crop Physiology | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO301, AGRO201 |
| V | AGRO502 | Biotechnology Applications in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO303 |
| V | AGRO503 | Agricultural Data Mining | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO402, AGRO304 |
| V | AGRO504 | Climate Change and Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| V | AGRO505 | Agronomic Practices in Organic Farming | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO301 |
| V | AGRO506 | Agri-Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| VI | AGRO601 | Agricultural Extension Services | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO205, AGRO505 |
| VI | AGRO602 | Post-Harvest Technology | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO201 |
| VI | AGRO603 | Nutritional Biochemistry in Crops | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO102, AGRO303 |
| VI | AGRO604 | Agricultural Risk Management | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| VI | AGRO605 | Soil Microbiology and Fertility Management | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO202 |
| VI | AGRO606 | Agricultural Surveying and Mapping | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO402 |
| VII | AGRO701 | Advanced Field Research Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO601, AGRO501 |
| VII | AGRO702 | Agro-Environmental Impact Studies | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO306, AGRO504 |
| VII | AGRO703 | Research Ethics and Scientific Writing | 3-0-0-3 | AGRO406 |
| VII | AGRO704 | Capstone Project Preparation | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| VIII | AGRO801 | Final Year Capstone Project | 6-0-0-6 | AGRO701, AGRO702, AGRO703 |
| VIII | AGRO802 | Internship in Agriculture | 6-0-0-6 | - |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
The following are advanced departmental elective courses offered during the program:
- Agricultural Data Mining: This course introduces students to data mining techniques specifically tailored for agricultural applications. Students learn how to extract meaningful patterns from large datasets related to crop yields, soil conditions, weather forecasts, and pest infestations.
- Biotechnology Applications in Agriculture: Designed for students interested in modern biotech approaches, this course covers gene editing technologies, transgenic crops, microbial inoculants, and biopesticides. Students engage in laboratory experiments involving PCR amplification, DNA sequencing, and plant transformation techniques.
- Precision Agriculture Techniques: This course explores the use of GPS mapping, drones, satellite imagery, and sensors to optimize farming practices. Students develop skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation using industry-standard software tools like ArcGIS, FarmBot, and various IoT platforms.
- Agricultural Risk Management: Focuses on identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks associated with agriculture. Topics include financial risk, weather-related hazards, disease outbreaks, market volatility, and climate change impacts.
- Agro-Environmental Impact Studies: Students investigate the environmental consequences of agricultural practices such as pesticide use, water consumption, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Post-Harvest Technology: Covers methods for preserving harvested crops, reducing losses during storage and transport, improving food quality, and enhancing nutritional value through processing techniques.
- Agricultural Surveying and Mapping: Teaches students how to conduct field surveys using GPS devices, aerial photography, and GIS tools. Practical sessions include land classification, boundary demarcation, and topographical mapping of agricultural fields.
- Climate Change and Agriculture: Explores the impacts of climate change on agriculture and strategies for adaptation and mitigation. Students study crop modeling, heat stress tolerance, drought resistance, and carbon sequestration in farmlands.
- Agronomic Practices in Organic Farming: Provides insights into organic farming methods including composting, biological pest control, crop rotation, and natural soil fertility management.
- Agri-Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Encourages students to explore business opportunities in agriculture. Topics include identifying market gaps, developing business plans, accessing funding, and launching agri-startups.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly advocates for project-based learning as a cornerstone of the curriculum. Projects are designed to simulate real-world challenges faced by farmers, agribusinesses, and government agencies. Students work in teams to identify problems, propose solutions, gather data, analyze results, and present findings.
Mini-projects are undertaken during the third and fourth semesters, where students select a topic from an approved list or propose their own under faculty guidance. These projects contribute 10% to the final grade and are evaluated based on methodology, critical thinking, technical execution, and presentation quality.
The final year capstone project involves extensive research or applied development work that spans a full semester. Students must choose a mentor from the faculty who specializes in their chosen area of interest. The project is expected to result in a publishable paper, patent, prototype, or policy recommendation. Evaluation criteria include originality, depth of investigation, clarity of communication, and impact potential.