Curriculum Overview
The B.Tech in Agriculture program at Mahindra University Telangana is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of agricultural systems through an integrated approach combining fundamental sciences, engineering principles, and applied technologies. The curriculum is structured over eight semesters, ensuring progressive learning and specialization.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AG101 | Introduction to Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG102 | Basic Biology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG103 | Chemistry for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG104 | Physics for Agricultural Sciences | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG105 | Mathematics I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AG106 | Computer Applications in Agriculture | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 2 | AG201 | Plant Physiology | 3-0-0-3 | AG102 |
| 2 | AG202 | Soil Science | 3-0-0-3 | AG103 |
| 2 | AG203 | Agronomy I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | AG204 | Entomology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | AG205 | Plant Pathology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | AG206 | Environmental Science | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | AG301 | Agricultural Engineering I | 3-0-0-3 | AG201, AG202 |
| 3 | AG302 | Irrigation & Water Management | 3-0-0-3 | AG202 |
| 3 | AG303 | Farm Machinery | 3-0-0-3 | AG201 |
| 3 | AG304 | Post-Harvest Technology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | AG305 | Agronomy II | 3-0-0-3 | AG203 |
| 3 | AG306 | Data Analysis for Agriculture | 2-0-2-3 | AG105 |
| 4 | AG401 | Precision Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AG301, AG306 |
| 4 | AG402 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3-0-0-3 | AG201 |
| 4 | AG403 | Sustainable Farming Systems | 3-0-0-3 | AG201, AG202 |
| 4 | AG404 | Agroforestry & Ecosystem Management | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | AG405 | Agricultural Economics & Policy | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | AG406 | Food Processing Technology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | AG501 | Advanced Crop Management | 3-0-0-3 | AG405 |
| 5 | AG502 | Climate Change & Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | AG503 | Soil Health & Fertility | 3-0-0-3 | AG202 |
| 5 | AG504 | Integrated Pest Management | 3-0-0-3 | AG204 |
| 5 | AG505 | Digital Agriculture & Farming | 3-0-0-3 | AG401 |
| 5 | AG506 | Research Methodology in Agriculture | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 6 | AG601 | Mini Project I | 0-0-4-3 | - |
| 6 | AG602 | Advanced Agronomy | 3-0-0-3 | AG501 |
| 6 | AG603 | Biostatistics & Data Mining | 3-0-0-3 | AG306 |
| 6 | AG604 | Agricultural Extension | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | AG605 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 6 | AG606 | Advanced Laboratory Practice | 0-0-6-4 | - |
| 7 | AG701 | Mini Project II | 0-0-4-3 | - |
| 7 | AG702 | Agricultural Innovation & Technology Transfer | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | AG703 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | AG704 | Capstone Project | 0-0-8-6 | - |
| 7 | AG705 | Industry Internship | 0-0-8-6 | - |
| 7 | AG706 | Professional Communication | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 8 | AG801 | Final Thesis | 0-0-12-9 | - |
| 8 | AG802 | Capstone Research & Presentation | 0-0-6-4 | - |
| 8 | AG803 | Special Topics in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 8 | AG804 | Agri-Tech Startups & Business Models | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 8 | AG805 | Graduation Seminar | 2-0-2-3 | - |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
Agricultural Biotechnology: This course explores the molecular techniques used in crop improvement, including genetic engineering, gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9), plant transformation, and bioinformatics. Students learn to design experiments for developing transgenic crops with enhanced traits such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, and nutritional value.
Precision Agriculture: This course introduces students to the use of GPS, drones, satellite imagery, sensors, and data analytics in optimizing agricultural practices. Topics include variable rate application, yield mapping, soil variability analysis, and automated machinery control systems.
Sustainable Farming Systems: Students study integrated approaches that balance productivity with environmental stewardship. The course covers organic farming methods, agroforestry systems, conservation tillage, composting, and nutrient cycling to promote long-term sustainability.
Agricultural Economics & Policy: This course examines economic principles applied to agriculture, including market structures, price determination, cost-benefit analysis, policy frameworks, subsidies, and rural development strategies. It also explores how agricultural policies affect farmer livelihoods and food security.
Food Processing Technology: This elective delves into the technologies involved in transforming raw agricultural products into safe, palatable, and shelf-stable foods. Topics include preservation techniques, packaging innovations, quality control standards, HACCP compliance, and value-added product development.
Water Management in Agriculture: Focused on efficient water use in farming, this course covers irrigation scheduling, drip systems, sprinkler design, watershed management, groundwater conservation, and climate adaptation strategies to mitigate water scarcity.
Agronomy & Crop Production: This course provides in-depth knowledge of crop growth cycles, nutrient requirements, pest control, fertilization strategies, and yield optimization techniques. Students gain practical experience through field labs and case studies from various cropping systems.
Agroforestry & Ecosystem Management: Students explore the integration of trees with crops and livestock to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, and support sustainable land use practices.
Climate Change & Agriculture: This course analyzes the impacts of climate change on agricultural systems and explores adaptation strategies. It covers greenhouse gas emissions from farming, carbon sequestration, resilience building, and sustainable intensification practices.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Students learn to manage pests using a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods. The course emphasizes eco-friendly pest control strategies that reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while maintaining crop productivity.
Digital Agriculture & Farming: This course introduces digital tools and platforms used in modern farming operations, including mobile apps for farm management, remote sensing technologies, IoT devices, and big data analytics for decision-making.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of its curriculum. Students engage in both mini-projects and capstone projects throughout their academic journey. Mini-projects are undertaken in the 6th semester, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios. These projects are typically completed in teams under faculty supervision and culminate in presentations and written reports.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is an individual or team effort that addresses a significant challenge in agriculture or agritech innovation. Students select their projects based on their interests, guided by faculty mentors who provide technical support and expertise throughout the process. Projects are evaluated using a rubric that assesses research quality, methodology, innovation, impact, and presentation skills.
Faculty members play a crucial role in mentoring students during project development. They guide students through literature reviews, experimental design, data collection, analysis, and report writing. Regular meetings with faculty mentors ensure progress tracking and timely completion of projects. The department also facilitates collaboration between students and industry partners to enhance the relevance and applicability of their research outcomes.