DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Programs: The Department offers the following Programs:- Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering M.Eng Soil and Water Engineering Farm Power and Machinery Engineering Agricultural Products Processing and Storage Engineering Farm Structures and Environmental Engineering Food Engineering Ph.D Soil and Water Engineering Farm Power and Machinery Engineering Agricultural Products Processing and Storage Engineering Farm Structures and Environmental Engineering Philosophy Agricultural and Environmental Engineering emerged as a result of pressing need for more agricultural products through application of machine and engineering principles to agriculture without degrading the environment. Agricultural and Environmental Engineering is an inherently interdisciplinary field. Agricultural and Environmental Engineering involves designing environmental protection or remediation strategies for multiple resources-water, air and soil, often with combinations of physical, chemical and biological treatment methods in the context of a complex regulatory framework. The program is dedicated to providing life-long development, instilling a sense of professional responsibility, and serving our society. The philosophy of the postgraduate program in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering is in line with that of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi which is aimed at integrating teaching, research and extension in agriculture into a unified curriculum to solve real and practical problems of the community it serves. The educational system is to enhance productive processes in agriculture necessary to increase food availability beyond self-sufficiency level. The general philosophy therefore is to produce graduates with high academic standard and adequate practical background for self-employment in a knowledge economy as well as being of immediate value to industry and the community in general. Goals and Objectives The general aims and objectives of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering training is in consonance with the realization of national needs and aspirations vis-à-vis industrial development and technological emancipation. The training provides the academic standard required to meet these needs and to produce graduates with sufficient academic background and practical experience who would be able to rise to the challenges of a developing economy. The primary objectives of the postgraduate programs in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering are:- To produce adequate number and quality, competent professionals in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering. Advance knowledge through conduct of basic, applied and adaptive research, to solve practical problems and to generate new technologies. To increase or protect agricultural production by providing suitable environment for growth, harvesting, processing, transportation and storage. To maintain or change the natural characteristics of biological products for a particular use To reduce the physical drudgery and provide desirable amenities for agricultural workers. Career Prospects Career opportunities in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering are diverse. The graduates in the program are well equipped to meet the growing technical needs in agriculture and to advance the course of its further development. They find ready employment in the agro-based industries, irrigation and drainage companies, field construction companies, equipment manufacturing and distribution companies, rural electrification program, processing, storage and food engineering companies, research, teaching and design offices. They are also easily sel-f employed and generally find careers in the fields of pollution control or remediation of air, water and soil environments. This program helps prepare students for careers involving the application of engineering principles to agricultural production, food processing, and conservation of land and water resources. Types and Duration of Diplomas and Degrees The Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering offers the following diplomas and degrees: Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering. The duration shall be for a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of six semesters for full-time students. The program shall not be by part-time study. Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree program in the following areas: ·Soil and Water Engineering ·Farm Power and Machinery Engineering ·Agricultural products Processing and Storage Engineering ·Farm Structures and Environmental Engineering ·Food Engineering The duration shall be for a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of six (6) semesters for full-time students or a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of eight (8) semesters for part-time students. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in any of the following areas: ·Soil and Water Engineering ·Farm Power and Machinery Engineering ·Agricultural Products Processing and Storage Engineering ·Farm Structures and Environmental Engineering The duration shall be for a minimum of six (6) semesters and a maximum of ten (10) semesters for full-time students and a minimum of ten (10) semesters and a maximum of fifteen (15) semesters for part-time students. Nature of Program Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering runs as regular program with no specialization according to COREN specification. Candidates seeking admission to undertake PGD in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering study all core courses in all the specialized options in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering. A student is required to carry a minimum of 61 credit load. Project report work of 6 credit load on a split semester basis is submitted for assessment which is part of the minimum credit load. A total of twelve (12) credit loads is considered as electives, with at least 3 credits loads chosen from each of the semesters. A maximum credit load of seventy three (73) units is therefore considered. Candidates for the Master of Engineering (M. Eng.) degree shall be by course work with a written examination and a thesis. Candidates shall take a minimum of 37 credits of prescribed coursework in addition to 12 units of thesis. Students are required to pass all prescribed courses with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 before commencement of research work. Thesis is graded on pass or fail basis. Students are free to audit courses outside the Department and College if they feel such courses shall help them in their research work Doctor of Philosophy Degree shall be by course work and comprehensive research. Candidates shall take 18 credit units of prescribed course work. A candidate shall qualify for commencement of research work and subsequent oral examination of thesis after satisfying the requirements of course work in the first year of registration with a minimum CGPA of 3.5. Mode of Evaluation/Examination All candidates shall be required to register for and take an approved combination of courses, subject to the minimum credit units. There shall be no resit examination. A candidate who fails in any required course shall register for it and be re- examined at the appropriate time. Examination shall consist of written examination, seminar, written reports for course work and an oral examination (project/thesis defence). Continuous Assessment (CA): This consists of regular monitoring and evaluation of student's performance and progress through tests, quizzes, assignments, laboratory/field practical, etc. A minimum of three continuous assessments shall be required for each course and shall constitute 30% of the course. Examinations: Examination shall be administered at the end of the course, which is usually at the end of the semester. The examinations may take the form of written, oral, practical, dissertations or any others as approved by Chief Examiner for the Department. Grading/Weighting System The overall performance in a course in a particular semester shall be the weighted aggregate of continuous assessment and main examination scores expressed in percentage (%). Percentage scores are assigned letter grades (A – F) and converted to the corresponding grade points (5 – 0) consistent with the approved scoring and grading systems shown in Table 1. Pass Mark: The pass mark shall vary according to the non-degree and degree type as follows: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) - pass grade shall be “D” which translates to a minimum score of 45%. M.Eng/PhD - pass grade shall be “C” which translates to a minimum score of 50%. A student may score below the approved pass grade but earns points as appropriate. Graduation Requirements To qualify for graduation: To qualify for the award of PGD in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, a candidate must satisfy written examination on the course work (70%), continuous assessment (30%) and submission of a comprehensive report of an independent project on a title approved by the department and assessed by the panel of examiners. Candidates for Masters or Doctorate Degrees shall pass all prescribed courses in addition to presentation and successful defense of a thesis. A CGPA of at least 3.5 shall be earned. PGD Agricultural and Environmental Engineering COURSE STRUCTURE: First Semester Course Course Title Units code EAD 711 Machine Design and Drawing 3 EAD 713 Energy Application in Agriculture 3 EAD 715 Farm tractor and Equipment maintenance 2 EGD 701 Engineering Mathematics I 3 EGD 703 Engineer-in- Society 2 EMD 703 Fluid Mechanics