Required Courses

PLSC 241- Agricultural Entomology
This course aims to teach the basic structures and functions of the insect body. The course includes study of basic features of insect orders with emphasis on the orders, which are of most economic importance; principles of insect pest control and management, cultural and chemical means.(4 credits)

PLSC 305- Plant Physiology
Introduction to the scientific principles of plant physiological processes, which includes the physiology of metabolism, energy, growth and development and the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on these process. Students will understand how knowledge of plant physiology can be used to improve plant production and productivity.(4 credits)

PLSC 308- Agro-Climatology
Introduction to the basic principles of weather and climate, with some emphasis on tropical climate in general and Eritrean climate in particular. Also introduces students to the relationship between climate and water resources, vegetation and agriculture. (3 credits)

PLSC 321- Introduction to Forestry
This course will acquaint students with the basic science, art and practice of managing and utilizing forest resources for human benefit. (3 credits)

PLSC 332- Introduction to Horticulture
This course aims to acquaint students with the principles and practices in various horticulture
crops.(3 credits)

PLSC 342- Introduction to Plant Pathology
Introduction to the concept of diseases and their casual agents. The course looks at the nature and prevention of common plant diseases, epidemology of plant diseases, influence of environmental factors on diseases development.(3 credits)

PLSC 401- Plant Breeding
This course aims to give a working understanding of plant breeding.(3 credits)

PLSC 405- Seed Technology
This course aims at imparting information on agricultural seed production and
technology.(2 credits)

PLSC 417- Cereal, Pulses and Oil Crops
The objective of this course is to teach students about the actual and potential production of crops in the highlands and the lowlands. In this course major crops grown in the highlands and the lowlands will be dealt with and emphasis will be put on cereals, pulses and oil crops. (3 credits)

PLSC 441- Weeds and Weed Control
This course reviews the various interactions between weeds and crops that result in yield losses, and the major weeds of Eritrea and their control. (3 credits)

PLSC 451- Soils and Plant Nutrition
This course covers a broad range of topics including: The importance of basic soil-plant relationships; soil factors influencing plant growth; soil as a principal source of plant nutrients; nutrient availability in soils; the role of organic matter; free living and symbiotic micro-organisms in plant nutrition and the uptake of nutrients by roots.(3 credits)

Students may choose from four options within the department: Agronomy, Forestry, Horticulture, and Plant Protection. Each option includes the following additional course requirements.

Agronomy Option

PLSC 408- Senior Research Project (3 credits)

PLSC 412- Dry land Agronomy
Introduction to the practices engaged in dry land areas, their climatic conditions; characteristics of drought and soils in arid regions.(2 credits)

PLSC 414- Industrial, Stimulant and Spice Crops
Introduction to the actual and potential production of industrial, stimulant and spice crops.(3 credits)

PLSC 416- Cropping Systems
Introduction to cropping systems used to improve crop production. The course covers cropping system approaches in improving crop production in fragile ecosystem management. (2 credits)

PLSC 418- Forage and Pasture Crops
The objective of this course is to survey pasture and forage crop production for herds in mixed farming systems at low input levels and for dairy production at moderate to high input
levels.(3 credits)

LREN 415- Soil and Water Management
Systems approach to soil and water management (3 credits)

Forestry Option

PLSC 408- Senior Research Project (3 credits)

PLSC 420- Silviculture
This course promotes student understanding of how ecological principles can be applied to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. (3 credits)

PLSC 422- Forest Mensuration and Inventory
The course goal is to promote student understanding of the art and science of forest resource management by focusing on the issues involved in quantitative assessment of trees and forest stand. (2 credits)

PLSC 424- Agro forestry
The objective of this course is to teach students the value of perennial and woody plants in the farming systems and their integration.(3 credits)

PLSC 426- Forest Protection
The course aims to promote student understanding of the art and science of protecting forest trees from harmful agents. (2 credits)

PLSC 428- Forest Management
This course reviews general concepts and methods in forest management and experiments with several models.(2 credits)

Horticulture Option

PLSC 408- Senior Research Project (3 credits)

PLSC 430- Post Harvest Physiology and Technology
Introduction to post harvest treatment of horticultural produces.(2

PLSC 432- Fruit Crop Production
Introduction to the various types of fruit crops, looking at fruits' origin and distribution, uses, adaptation, husbandry, production, development, distribution, yield and quality of
crops.(2 credits)

PLSC 434- Vegetable Production
Introduction to the various types of vegetable crops, looking at the uses, origin and distribution, improvement, husbandry, adaptation, diseases and pests, storage, nutrition etc. (3 credits)

PLSC 436- Floriculture and Landscaping
This course teaches the principles and techniques of growing various types of flowers. It deals with their use, origin and distribution, improvement, husbandry adaptation, diseases and pests , storage, grading and export potential. (2 credits)

PLSC 438- Plant Propagation and Tissue Culture
Introduces students to the skills of propagation such as types of propagation, media, fertilizer, soil mixture, sexual propagation and seed production (3 credits)

Plant Protection Option

PLSC 408- Senior Research Project (3 credits)

PLSC 440- Plant Mycology, Bacteriology and Virology
This course teaches students the importance of mycology (fungus disease), Bacteria and virus diseases in crop production. (3 credits)

PLSC 442- Pesticide Chemistry and applications
The course aims to introduce students to chemical products used for prevention or control of pests, diseases, weeds and nematodes in crops, and their proper uses.(2 credits)

PLSC 444- Bird and rodent Control
This course studies rodents and birds under field and storage conditions. Topics include the biology, ecology and migration/spread/ of rodents and birds in agricultural production and storage situations(2 credits)

PLSC 446- Plant Nematology
The course aims to highlight the principles of plant parasitic nematodes, dealing with their morphology, anatomy, biology and ecology.(2 credits)

PLSC 448- Integrated Pest Management
This course aims at an understanding of the different pest control practices.(3 credits)

Related Courses

ANSC 202- Introduction to Animal Husbandry
Introduction to the basic principles of animal husbandry and the methods of husbandry applied to different species of domestic animals in the tropics. The role of livestock in agriculture, plant and animal inter-relationships.(2 credits)

BIOL 211- General Botany
Introduction to the science of plants. (4 credits)

BIOL 341- Principles of Genetics
Introduction to the science of heredity.(4 credits)

BIOL 352- General Microbiology
Introduction to the microbial worlds through the study of basic microbiological principles, techniques and their applications.(4 credits)

Lren 212- Introduction to Soil Science
Definition of, concepts of, & approaches to the study of the soil.(3 credits)

Agen 322- Principles of Irrigation & Drainage
This course looks at the use of water in irrigation and drainage.(3 credits)

SOSW 321- Rural Sociology
This course familiarizes students with the discipline of Sociology of rural community.(3 credits)

General College Courses

AASC 382- Research Methodology and Report Writing
This course introduces students to literature writing and to developing their writing skills. It introduces students to preparing a research proposal and developing and carrying out research projects in preparation for their senior research projects.(2 credits)

AASC 371- Principles of Extension
Extension education: its meaning, definition, characteristics, philosophy, objectives and principles, relationship among teaching, research and extension; historical development of extension in developed and developing countries.(2 credits)

AASC 364- Introduction to Agricultural Economics
This course is designed to cover basic micro and macro economics principles as they apply to agriculture.(3 credits)

AASC 462- Project Management
This course looks at the concept of project management; the phases of a project life cycle, establishing the project scope, time, costs, and performance goals; organizing systems and procedures for project implementation; project control system.(1 credit)

AASC 465- Farm Management
This course deals with farming - its income and requirements. It looks at basic principles of farm management: principles of diminishing returns, cost principles, principles of substitution in choice of practices and inputs etc.(2 credits)

AASC 372- Extension and Communication Methods
Communication - meaning, definition and elements, role of communication in development- social change, types of communication; innovativeness and adopter categories, diffusion and adoption; participation of farmers in extension programs, participatory approaches - rapid and participatory rural appraisal.(2 credits)