Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the Agriculture program at Motherhood University Haridwar is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in agricultural sciences while offering flexibility for specialization. The program spans eight semesters and includes core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AGRI-101 | Introduction to Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-102 | Biology for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-103 | Chemistry for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-104 | Mathematics for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-105 | Physics for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-106 | Environmental Science | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-107 | Introduction to Farming Systems | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | AGRI-108 | Basic Soil Science Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 2 | AGRI-201 | Crop Science | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-102, AGRI-103 |
| 2 | AGRI-202 | Soil Science | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-103 |
| 2 | AGRI-203 | Plant Pathology | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-102 |
| 2 | AGRI-204 | Agricultural Economics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | AGRI-205 | Agronomy | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | AGRI-206 | Basic Crop Management Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 2 | AGRI-207 | Plant Physiology Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 3 | AGRI-301 | Plant Breeding | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-201, AGRI-203 |
| 3 | AGRI-302 | Pest Management | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-201, AGRI-203 |
| 3 | AGRI-303 | Agro-Economics and Policy | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-204 |
| 3 | AGRI-304 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-106 |
| 3 | AGRI-305 | Biochemistry of Plants | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-102 |
| 3 | AGRI-306 | Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management Lab | 0-0-3-1 | AGRI-202 |
| 3 | AGRI-307 | Crop Production Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 4 | AGRI-401 | Sustainable Farming Systems | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-201, AGRI-202 |
| 4 | AGRI-402 | Climate-Smart Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-204, AGRI-106 |
| 4 | AGRI-403 | Agro-processing and Food Technology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | AGRI-404 | Rural Development and Extension Services | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | AGRI-405 | Biotechnology in Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-201, AGRI-203 |
| 4 | AGRI-406 | Data Analytics for Agriculture | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | AGRI-407 | Agricultural Robotics Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 5 | AGRI-501 | Advanced Crop Breeding | 3-0-0-3 | AGRI-301 |
| 5 | AGRI-502 | Precision Agriculture Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | AGRI-503 | Organic Farming Practices | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | AGRI-504 | Agroforestry Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | AGRI-505 | Water Conservation and Irrigation Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | AGRI-506 | Remote Sensing in Agriculture Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 6 | AGRI-601 | Research Methodology in Agriculture | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 6 | AGRI-602 | Mini Project I | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 6 | AGRI-603 | Mini Project II | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 7 | AGRI-701 | Advanced Topics in Agricultural Sciences | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | AGRI-702 | Thesis/Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-3 | - |
| 8 | AGRI-801 | Thesis/Capstone Project II | 0-0-6-3 | - |
Detailed Course Descriptions for Departmental Electives
Departmental electives allow students to specialize further in areas of interest. These courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills relevant to specific domains within agriculture.
- Plant Breeding: This course explores the principles and practices of plant breeding, including hybridization techniques, selection methods, genetic improvement, and molecular tools for crop development. Students gain hands-on experience in laboratory settings and field trials.
- Pest Management: Students learn about integrated pest management strategies, including biological control, chemical control, cultural practices, and the use of technology for early detection and monitoring of pests. Case studies from various regions are used to illustrate real-world applications.
- Agricultural Economics: This course covers economic analysis in agriculture, including cost-benefit analysis, market dynamics, pricing strategies, risk management, and policy impacts on agricultural systems. Students also study the economics of sustainable farming practices.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture: Designed to address the challenges posed by climate change, this course integrates meteorological data, predictive modeling, and adaptive farming techniques. Students learn how to design resilient agro-systems that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Biotechnology in Agriculture: This elective delves into the application of biotechnology in agriculture, covering topics such as genetic engineering, transgenic crops, bioinformatics, and molecular diagnostics. It also explores ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks.
- Data Analytics for Agriculture: Students are introduced to statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization tools used in agricultural decision-making. They learn how to interpret large datasets from farms, sensors, and satellite imagery to improve productivity and sustainability.
- Agro-processing and Food Technology: This course covers food preservation techniques, quality control measures, packaging technologies, and value-added product development. Students work on projects involving the creation of new food products and processing innovations.
- Rural Development and Extension Services: Focuses on the socio-economic aspects of rural life, extension programs, community engagement strategies, and policy formulation for agricultural development. Students engage in fieldwork to understand local challenges and propose solutions.
- Environmental Impact Assessment: This course teaches students how to evaluate the environmental consequences of agricultural practices, including soil degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. It includes practical training in impact assessment methodologies.
- Agroforestry Systems: Students explore the integration of trees and crops or livestock in agricultural landscapes. The course covers the ecological benefits, management techniques, and economic viability of agroforestry systems, with a focus on climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
Our department emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of education. This approach encourages students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation.
The structure of project-based learning includes:
- Mini Projects (Semesters 6 & 7): Students work in teams on research or applied projects under faculty supervision. These projects typically last six months and involve data collection, analysis, and presentation.
- Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project: The final project is a comprehensive, independent research endeavor that spans the entire last semester. Students propose a topic, conduct literature review, design experiments, collect data, and present findings in both written and oral formats.
Evaluation criteria for these projects include:
- Research methodology and execution
- Data interpretation and analytical rigor
- Clarity of presentation and communication skills
- Innovation and contribution to the field
- Teamwork and collaboration
Students are encouraged to select projects based on their interests and career goals. Faculty mentors guide students throughout the process, ensuring that projects align with academic standards and industry relevance.