Philosophy

Both soil and land are basic natural resources and their care and management are also basic to survival of any nation. Sound training is required for their sustainable use to serve mankind. The philosophy of the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management programme generally centres on producing graduates that are well versed in sustainable agricultural production, environmental quality control and sustainability. The Department believes that rapid changes in scientific approaches to soil studies and environmental issues including climate change impact on land qualities can only be well addressed by adequate and enhanced university training in soil and land resources management. Thus, this reversed programme is designed to provide a broad theoretical and practical training in agricultural sciences and land resources management which are relevant in Nigeria in particular and the world at large. This programme will enhance the chances of attracting prospective UTME candidates to the Department.

The following programmes are offered in Food Science & Technology.

  • Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in soil science.
  • Professional Master’s Degree (MST) in soil science.
  • Academic Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) in soil science.
  • Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in soil science.

DURATION OF THE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

(a)        The full-time programme shall run for a minimum duration of two (2) semesters and a maximum of four (4) semesters.

(b)        The part-time programme shall run for a minimum duration of four (4) semesters and maximum of six (6) semesters

(c)        A candidate who fails to complete the degree at the maximum time allowed can apply to the School of Postgraduate Studies through the department, for an extension of time.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Department are to provide broad practical and theoretical training in the basic agricultural sciences and land resources management, and to produce highly skilled graduates who have acquired the resources to meet the agricultural, developmental and environmental needs of Nigeria and the world at large. The Departmental academic programme is developed based on the need to meet the nation’s drive for increased food production, and effective transformation of agriculture as well as the promotion of sustainable use of soil, land and water resources.

The programme aims specifically to:

  1. produce graduates with skills in soil and land resources management for increasing the productivity of agricultural  lands and sustainable environment.
  2. produce graduates well-versed in soil resources and water conservation techniques for sustainable land     resources use and management.

iii. produce graduates with adequate knowledge and skills for research and development (R & D) in soil and      land resources management, environmental sustainability and quality control.

  1. produce graduates with theoretical and practical knowledge on the use of Global Positioning System     (GPS) instruments in land resources management and climate change research.

Scope

The Soil Science and Land Resources Management programme captures its three main roles in agricultural production, environmental studies and management of soil resources. The programme covers various aspects of land management, land evaluation, environment, geographic information system (GIS), climate and climate change issues, biogeography, forestry, and waste management. Other major courses covered in the programme are: Pedology, Soil Genesis, Soil Survey, Classification and Evaluation, Soil Physics, Soil Chemistry, Mineralogy, Biology, Biochemistry, Soil and Water Conservation, and Fertility Management (agronomy).

The programme provides training on the basic agricultural sciences for the first three years and a full year’s practical training in approved farms and other agro-based establishments during the fourth year. Field trips are part of the fourth year requirements and are usually made to relevant research institutes such as the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Ibadan, Remote sentint Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, etc.

In the final year, the students are given intensive training in the areas of soil survey, genesis, classification and land evaluation and management; soil physics and hydrology including irrigation and drainage practices; soil and water conservation, soil chemistry and fertility as well as soil biology and biochemistry.

The Department also offers service courses to the Departments of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Vocational Teacher Education (VTE – Agricultural Education option), Estate Management in addition to the courses taken by all B.Agriculture students in their first years in the Faculty of Agriculture.