Rationale
Horticulture is a fast-growing and major subsector of the agricultural industry in Kenya. Its contribution towards both small-scale and large-scale farm incomes, employment, foreign exchange earnings and food production security cannot be overemphasized. However, the full potential of horticulture in is yet to be realized, hence the need for a highly qualified workforce to drive the industry. The major goal of the Bachelor of Science in horticulture is to prepare the graduates to meet challenges faced by the horticultural industry in realizing its full potential.

Programme Objectives
The broad objective is to train advanced level personnel with practical and theoretical skills in general horticulture, who through research, extension, marketing and entrepreneurship, will be able to increase production and use of horticultural and other crops. On completing the programme, graduates will be able to do the following:
i) Perceive and appreciate the importance of horticulture in the national economy with particular reference to the roles played by vegetable and fruit crops as well as ornamental plants in meeting the family needs;
ii) Contribute to improving production of horticultural crops, enhancing marketing of horticultural crop produce and public awareness of aesthetic value of ornamental plants;
iii) Contribute in the setting up and running of private horticultural enterprises;
iv) Relate and integrate production of horticultural crops with other farm enterprises;
v) Carry out scientific research on various facets of horticultural and other crops;
vii) Promote domestic, urban and institutional landscapes through design, development and maintenance;
viii) Promote environmental conservation by encouraging and effecting agricultural practices that minimize soil erosion and pollution.
Admission Requirements
Candidates applying for the Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture must satisfy the minimum University entrance requirements in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary
Education. In addition, they must have studied and passed the following subjects with minimum grades as shown below:
(i) B- in Biology or B in Biological Sciences
(ii) B- in Chemistry or B in Physical Sciences
(iii) C+ in Mathematics
Candidates who have studied and passed agriculture will have an added advantage. However, these requirements may change from time to time. Alternatively, admission may be granted to candidates with at least a CREDIT, or its equivalent, in Diploma in horticulture or agriculture from a recognized University or College. Diploma holders may qualify for credit transfer from their diploma programmes.
Course Structure and Duration
The Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture shall normally take a full time student four academic years each with two semesters.
The courses are coded as follows:
i) The abbreviation HORT refers to Horticulture,
ii) The first digit (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4) represents the year of study. The second digit (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) refers to the subject discipline/matter defined as follows:
0 = Introductory Courses
1 = General and Principle Courses
2 = Basic Horticultural Courses
3 = Vegetable Crops
4 = Fruit Crops
5 = Post-harvest Management
6 = Ornamental Horticulture
7 = Experimentation and Research Projects.
iii) The third digit shows the series of courses in a particular field.
Examination Regulations
All examinations for this programme will be conducted in accordance with the examination regulations as stipulated in the Egerton University Statute XXVIII.
Grading System
The grading of examinations for this programme shall be conducted in accordance with Egerton University Statute XXVIII.

Graduation Requirements
To graduate with the Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, a student shall be required to take and pass all courses scheduled, including the University common core courses approved by the Senate.
Degree Classification
Degree classification shall be in accordance with Egerton University Statute XXVIII.

Rationale
The increasing demand of horticultural products as a result of increasing population is placing significant pressure on the environment, few trained scientists available and the development of new technologies in production, handling, marketing and improvement of horticultural products. Institutions of higher learning are obligated to train personnel that will exploit the untapped potential in the horticultural industry. The horticultural industry contributes significantly to food security, employment and wealth creation. The industry is rapidly expanding but is faced with competition, inadequate postgraduate scientists, and changing environment in which it has to operate. The horticultural industry therefore requires personnel with advanced level of training to tackle the emerging issues such as food insecurity, poverty and environmental degradation. The degree of Master of Science in horticulture shall represent the attainment of advanced level of scholarship and achievement in coursework and independent research. It is conceptualized and designed to produce personnel with advanced level of training, who are expected to contribute towards the goal of realizing the full potential of horticulture in national development and promotion of living standards.
Programme Objectives
Horticultural section offers a graduate programme leading to the degree of Master of Science in horticulture. The major objective of this programme is to provide an opportunity for outstanding University graduates of horticulture to prepare themselves for challenging careers in teaching, research and supervisory level horticultural positions.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission should be those holding the Bachelor of Science in horticulture with a minimum of upper second-class honours or equivalent from Egerton University or other approved Universities. Also, those holding Bachelor of Science in agricultural degrees with a major in Crop Science or other related plant sciences will be considered, if they possess at least either upper second class honours degree or cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 out of 4.00 in all courses taken at University level.
In addition, the applicants should request three persons, one of who shall have taught the applicant at University level, to send letters of reference directly to the Registrar
(Academic). In certain circumstances, where a candidate’s credentials are not easily evaluated, or do not meet the minimum requirements, the Department may require certain applicants to pass a qualifying examination, [administered either orally or in written form or both], or provide proof of sufficient research work/experience.
There shall be two categories of registration for the Master of Science degree in horticulture:
i) Full-time students: – students registered under this category shall be required to complete their degree requirements within three years;
ii) Part-time students: – students registered under this category shall be required to complete their degree requirements within four years.
Course Structure and Duration
i) Graduate Courses;
ii) Regular graduate courses are numbered in 700 series and above;
iii) Earning Graduate Credits;
iv) To graduate with a M.Sc. degree in Horticulture, a candidate must obtain a cumulative weighted average of grade ―B‖ or higher. To earn a graduate credit, a candidate has to pass the relevant subject with grade ‘C’ or higher;
v) Scholarship Requirements;
vi) A demonstration of high-level scholarship performance is expected of students enrolled for graduate credit. A student who does not appear to be making satisfactory progress in his/her graduate work may be required to withdraw from the University. A student will be recommended for the award of an advanced degree if he/she has achieved a weighted average of 50% or better on all work taken for graduate credit. The grade “F” does not carry graduate credit, but is used in computing the weighted average. The grade “P” is not used for computing the weighted average, but earns Credit Factors (C.F);
vii) Maximum and Minimum Study Load;
viii) The usual maximum load for students registered for advanced degrees is sixteen Credit Factors per semester. To maintain scholarship, a minimum of nine Credit Factors must be taken in each Semester, except where a candidate has completed his/her course work requirements;
ix) Auditing Courses;
x) With the consent of the lecturers concerned, graduate students may audit courses not included in their regular options. Such students shall not earn credit factors for the audited courses, but they will be awarded grade “AU”;
xi) Credit Transfer from a Recognized Institution;
xii) Subject to recommendation by the Department and approval by the Board of Post-Graduate School Egerton University, a student may transfer a maximum of six Credit Factors of Graduate level, provided that such C.F.’s were obtained with grade “B” or better.
Examination Requirements
All examination for this programme shall be conducted in accordance with the examination regulation as stipulated in the Egerton University statute XXIX
Grading system
The grading of examination for this programme shall be conducted in accordance with Egerton University statute XXIX.
Graduation requirement
To graduate, a student shall be required to take and pass ALL scheduled courses within the stipulated period.
Degree classification
The Master of Science (Horticulture) degree programme is not classified.

Rationale
The three-year course leading to the Diploma in Horticulture is designed to produce graduates having broad practical knowledge and skills for the rapidly growing
horticultural industry in Kenya. The practical-oriented training equips students for technical positions in research, extension, and commercial farms, associated service
industries and self-employment. Egerton University is suitable for horticultural training, because it is centrally located between Eldoret and Nairobi airports, and in the Rift Valley province that is suitable for production of horticultural crops.

Programme Objectives
The horticultural in Kenya is a major contributor to agricultural production and has evolved to be among the top four sectors that earn significant foreign exchange. The
sector is rapidly growing and possesses great potential that needs to be fully exploited for increased output and quality of horticultural produce. The realization of this potential requires highly trained technical manpower with practical knowledge and skills in horticulture.
At the end of the Diploma programme, students should be able to:
i) Perceive the importance of horticulture in the national economy with particular reference to the roles of vegetables, fruits, flowers and other ornamental plants in meeting the nutritional needs of the family, aesthetic gratification and foreign exchange earnings;
ii) the acquired knowledge and practical skills to improve the production and post-harvest technology of horticultural crops and marketing of the produce;
iii) Effectively communicate the acquired knowledge and skills to various individuals and groups interested in improving horticultural crop production;
iv) Set up and manage a commercial horticultural enterprise involving the production and marketing of fruits, vegetables, cut-flowers and nursery stock plants in both outdoor and greenhouse environments;
v) Carryout meaningful scientific research on various facets of horticultural and other crop enterprises;
vi) Promote environmental and food safety awareness by safe use of pesticides and employing production practices that minimize chemical residues, as well
as soil erosion;
vii) Utilize the acquired knowledge and skills in gainful self-employment.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University minimum entry requirements for a University Diploma of Grade C in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), or
equivalent examinations and, in addition, offer passes with at least a:
i) C in English/Kiswahili;
ii) C in Maths/Physics or in Agriculture;
iii) C+ in Biology or B- in Biological Sciences;
iv) C+ in Chemistry or B- in Physical Sciences.
Admission may be granted to outstanding holders of a Certificate in agriculture, or fields related to agriculture from recognized Colleges, who will have passed with at least a credit or its equivalent.

Course Structure and Duration
The Diploma in horticulture shall normally take three academic years, each with two semesters. The courses are coded as follows:
i) The abbreviation HORT refers to Horticulture;
ii) The first digit (i.e. zero) in all the courses indicates the level of training (i.e. Diploma);
iii) The second digit (i.e. 1, 2, 3) represents the year of study;
iv) The third digit (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) refers to the subject discipline/matter as follows:
0 = Introductory Courses
1 = General and Principle Courses
2 = Basic Horticultural Courses
3 = Vegetable Crops
4 = Fruit Crops
5 = Post-harvest Management
6 = Ornamental Horticulture
7 = Experimentation and Research Projects.

v) The fourth digit shows the series of courses in a particular field.
Examination Regulations
All examinations for this programme shall be conducted in accordance with the examination regulations as stipulated in Egerton University Statute XXVIII.

Grading System
The grading of examinations for this programme shall be conducted in accordance with Egerton University Statute XXVIII.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with the Diploma in Horticulture, a student shall be required to take and pass
all scheduled courses within the stipulated period.
Diploma Classification
The Diploma classification shall be in accordance with Egerton University Statute