AGR - CORE COURSES
	CSC - CROP SCIENCE COURSES
	SSC - SOIL SCIENCE COURSES
	ASC - ANIMAL SCIENCE COURSES
	FOR - FORESTRY DIPLOMA COURSES
	FOR - FORESTRY BSc. COURSES

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

General concepts of living organisms with reference to plants; Description of some concepts in Crop Botany; Introduction to different types of cells; Anatomy of the cell including the cell wall, cytoplasm; Discussion of the function of some organelles within the cell; Detailed study of the nucleus of the cell; Cell division - mitosis; Cell division - meiosis; General description of tissue types and characteristics in the plant; Morphology of the root; Anatomy of the dicot and monocot roots; Secondary thickening of the root; The soil and its relation to the root system; Morphology and functions of the stem; Anatomy of the dicot and monocot stems; Secondary thickening and modifications of the stem; Discussion of the general functions of the leaf; Anatomy and morphology of the monocot and dicot leaf; Transpiration, conduction and absorption; Description of parts of a typical flower; Variations in floral structure including symmetry and reduction and modifications of parts; The development of the flower; Pollination - agencies of pollination, modifications for self and cross pollination; Fertilization; Fruit development and structure of the fruit; Classification and Description of the typical types of fruits with emphasis on those grown locally; Dissemination of seeds and fruits; Development of the seed; Description of seed germination; The Botany of Sugarcane, Rice, Citrus Fruits and Pineapples; The historical development of taxonomy and discussion of the binomial system of classification.

Practicals These are held each week and will be closely related to the subject matter of the lectures, thus enabling the students to have a better understanding of the concepts. Laboratory reports must be submitted for each session.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Differences between living and non-living; Cell structure; Mitosis; Meiosis; Simple tissues; Protoplasm; Protozoa - characteristics, classification, the amoeba; Protozoa - Trypanosoma; Protozoa - Plasmodium, Entamoeba; Protozoa - Eimeria; Platyhelminthes - characteristics and classification; Platyhelminthes - Fasciola hepatica; Platyhelminthes - F. hepatica contd.; Nematoda - characteristics and classification; Animal parasitic nematodes; Plant parasitic nematodes; Annelida - classification and characteristics; Earthworm and its importance, L. terrestris; Arthropoda - characteristics and classification; Crustacea - classification and characteristics The shrimp; Insecta - classification and economic importance; The cockroach; Methods of insect control; Zoological nomenclature and classification; Survey of some economic insect pests in Guyana; Survey of some economic insect pests in Guyana; Phylum mollusca - classification, economic significance; The snail - Pemacea sp.; Pest damage by snail; Echinodermata - classification and economic importance; Pisces - classification and economic importance; Adaptations of Pisces; Reptilia - classification and economic significance; Aves - classification, characteristics, economic importance; Adaptations of Aves; Mammalia - classification and economic significance.

Practicals Use of the compound microscope; Animal histology - slides of animal tissues; Protozoa; Platyhelminthes; Nematoda; Annelida; Phylum arthropoda - the prawn or shrimp; Insect dissection - digestive system; Classification of insects - order level; The snail - dissection; Echinoderms and Pisces; Reptile dissection; Laboratory examination.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Biochemical concepts of acids, bases, buffer, redox reactions, and osmotic pressure; Colloids, membrane structure and function; Introduction to enzymes - nature, properties and classification; Enzyme kinetics:- Factors influencing enzyme catalysis; The Michaelis-Menten and Line-Weaver-Burke plots; Control of enzyme activity - Irreversible and Reversible reactions; Competitive and non-competitive inhibition; Feedback control; Allosteric effectors; Coarse and fine control of enzymes; Classification and structure of carbohydrates; Use of carbohydrates; Chemistry of carbohydrates:- various reactions that carbohydrates undergo; Concepts of the reducing sugars; The glycosidic bond; Chirality in carbohydrates; Polymers structures of starch, glycogen and cellulose; Carbohydrate Metabolism; The glycolytic pathway; Carbohydrate Metabolism: the tricarboxylic acid cycle (T.C.A.); Carbohydrate Metabolism; The relationships between the glycolytic and T.C.A. cycles and the net production of high energy phosphate compounds; Gluconeogenesis - importance and nature of this pathway; The role and structure of the mitochondrion; Oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain; Generation of ATP by the electron transport chain; Effect of inhibition on the electron transport chain; Introduction to Amino Acids; Structure of amino acids found in proteins; Non-protein amino acids; Properties of amino acids; Reactions of amino acids; Biosynthesis of amino acids:- transamination, deamination; Oxidative amination reactions, urea cycle; Biochemistry of nitrogen fixation by symbiotic and non- symbiotic systems; Nucleic acid structures; Purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, nucleotides; Nucleic acid metabolism; Classification of Proteins:- fibrous proteins globular proteins, antibodies, hormones, etc.; Bioenergetics: high and low energy compounds; Photosynthesis: The light reactions; photosystems I and II; relationship of light reactions to the dark reactions; Photosynthesis:- The dark reactions - fixation of CO2 in the Calvin cycle; C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways; CAM plants; Classification of fats; Biosynthesis of fats; Protein structure:- primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, quaternary structure; Protein biosynthesis; Protein synthesis; Role of amino acids and proteins in plant and animal growth; Fat metabolism; Introduction to genetic engineering; Potential of genetic engineering in Agriculture; Non-traditional source of proteins - principles and techniques of utilisation etc.

Practicals Problems involving acid, bases, pH and pKa concepts. Review of titration methodology; Designing enzyme assays to determine the effect of substrate concentration on the role enzyme catalyzed reactions; Basic tests for carbohydrates: (a) Benedict's test (b) Barfoed's test (c) Seliwanoff's test for ketones (d) Fehling's test (e) Iodine tests for starch (f) Progressive Hydrolysis of starch using the method of (e); Carbohydrates tests: Mollisch test for carbohydrates; Laboratory methodologies involved in determining inhibition of respiration and the relevance of these studies; Quantitative determination of amino acids; Qualitative determination of amino acids; Chromatography of amino acids; Chloroplast structures and how they fit into the light reactions of photosynthesis; Calculations and data analysis of C3 and C4 plants' photosynthetic efficiencies; Protein Analysis; Analysis of fats.

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15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Evolution of Agriculture; Scope and importance; Relation with other sciences and industries; Definition, history and role of Agronomy in Crop Production; Classification of crops; Classification of crops; Definition and Quality of good seeds; Tillage practices; Importance of legumes in rotation; Principles underlying method of sowing; Planting and transplanting; Principles underlying crop production; Importance of crop production in agriculture; Mixed cropping and crop mixture; Intercropping and multiple cropping; Role of water in crop production; Water requirement of important crops; Principles underlying use of manures; Principles underlying use of fertilizers; Agronomic practices in relation to problem soils; Methods of irrigation; Water resources of Guyana; Efficiency of irrigation; Frequency and levels of irrigation; Definition and importance of drainage; Causes of poor drainage; Methods of drainage.

Practicals Laboratory practicals and field trips will be carried out in order to support the theoretical aspects of the course.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Overview of Livestock Production; Origin and domestication of Livestock; Utilisation of Livestock; Definition and explanation of common terms in livestock Science; Definition and explanation of common terms in poultry Science; Morphological and production characteristics of breeds/strains/types of beef cattle; Morphological and production characteristics of poultry; System of Management of beef cattle; System of Management of dairy cattle; System of Management of Sheep and goat; System of Management of poultry; System of Management of Swine; Site selection and layout; Water, water supply, air and ventilation; Sanitation and drainage; Principles and practices of disease prevention and control in beef and dairy cattle; Principles and practices of disease prevention and control in poultry; Care and management of livestock during heat, mating gestation, parturition, weaning and drying; Administration of medicaments; Determination of age in Livestock; The functions of food; The constituents of food and dry matter; Digestion and the digestive system of farm livestock; Feeds commonly used in livestock feeding; Terms used in animal nutrition; Feeding dairy cattle for milk production; Ration balancing; Role of pasture in ruminant livestock production; Record keeping in livestock production; Milk herd practices/waste disposal.

Practicals Identification of breeds/strains/types of livestock and poultry. Point identification of desirable conformation for meat, milk and egg production; Livestock restraint techniques - working with the rope; Livestock restraint techniques - rope halter, casting and restraint of sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, poultry; Healthy - normal/sick abnormal animals: cattle et al. Evaluating herd health, vital signs - temperature, pulse respiration; Identification - Tatooing, branding, tagging, etc.; Dehorning, debudding, hoof trimming, clipping needle teeth, castration, dentition, weighing, beak trimming; Milking herd practices - parlour and individual; Administering medication - spraying, dipping etc.; Feeding - classification, identification, utilization; Waste disposal - sanitation, fencing.

                                                                                                                                        University of Guyana-Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Home Page

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

History and development of microbiology; Classification of microorganisms; Economic importance of microorganisms; Structure and evaluation of bacteria and cyanobacteria and their relative position in the living world; Structure and evaluation of fungi and algae and their relative position in the living world; Structure and evaluation of protozoa and viruses and their relative position in the living world; Micro-organisms in milk and milk products; Significance of bacteria in milk; Desirable and harmful bacteria in milk; Microbial spoilage of milk; Prevention of spoilage; Role of micro-organisms in butter and cheese production; Pathogenic bacteria associated with milk products and their control; Importance of microbes in fermented foods; Undesirable flora in foods; Principles of food preservation; Microbial spoilage of foods and prevention; Food poisoning: Types causative organisms and transmission; Food poisoning symptoms and control; Food inspection; Introduction to Industrial Microbiology; Origin of fermented products: beverages, butanol, acetone; Alcoholic fermentation, Amino acid fermentation; Nucleotide fermentation; Manufacture of vinegar and antibiotics; Importance of micro-organisms in the soil, microbial population in soil; Autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms in soil; Carbon and nitrogen cycles, carbonation Mycorrhizae; Symbiotic and non-symbiotic and denitrification; Ammonification; Decomposition of organic matter; Chemistry of soil organic matter; Chemistry of soil organic matter; Microbial chances involved in green manuring; Microbial changes involved in composting; Breakdown of herbicides by micro-organism; Breakdown of insecticides by micro-organisms; Bio-fertilizers and bio- insecticides.

Practicals Laboratory practicals and field trips will be carried out in order to support the theoretical aspects of the course.

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15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Basic concepts of genetics; Significance of genetics in Society; Investigative approaches in genetics; Mitosis regulation of the cell cycle; Meiosis; sexual reproduction; Spermatogenesis and oogenesis; The significance of Meiosis; The monohybrid cross; The Dihybrid cross; Mendel's Postulates; The test cross; Trihybrid cross; Independent assessment and genetic variation; Evaluating genetic data: Chi-square analysis; Human Pedigrees; Modification of Mendelian ratios: incomplete dominance; codominance; multiple alleles; Sex-linked genes; Gene interaction; epistasis; Phenotypic expression: penetrance and expressivity temperature effects, nutritional effects; Heredity vs. environment; Linkage; linkage ratio; Incomplete linkage, single crossovers; Multiple crossovers; Chromosome mapping; Characteristics of the genetic material; Protein as the genetic material; RNA as the genetic material; Structure of DNA; Structure of RNA; Denaturation and Renaturation of nucleic acid; Molecular Hybridisation techniques; Viral and Bacterial chromosomes; Mitotic chromosomes; Polytene chromosomes; Mitochondrial DNA, heterochromatics; Mechanisms of sex determination; Variation in chromosome number: Aneuploidy; Variation in chromosome numbers: Euploidy; Variation in chromosome structure and arrangement deletions/deficiencies, Duplications; Gene redundancy and amplifications; Inversions and translocations; Mutation; classification of mutations; Molecular basis of mutation; Introduction to population Genetics; Introduction to Physiological Genetics.

Practicals Review of reproductive cell structure and function; Identification of different stages of mitosis and meiosis from prepared slides; Temporary squash and smear preparation for the study of mitosis; Effect of C-Mitosis inducing agent(s) on Mitosis; Problem solving: Dominant and recessive traits; Meiotic preparations from rat tissue; Testing genetic data: Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses; Modification of Mendelian ratios; Chromosome mapping exercise; Observation of Polytene chromosome in Drosophils; Cytogenetics of important crop plants; Field visit to observe biotechnological work.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Historical development of soil science; What is soil; Why are soils studied; Four components of soil; Primary minerals; Secondary minerals; Organic components; Rocks and their classification; Weathering - mechanical and chemical processes; Factors affecting the weathering of minerals - Climatic, Physical and Chemical; Parent materials and their classification; Description of soil profiles; Soil classification; Soil colour; Soil structure; Soil aggregation and crusting; Soil texture; Stokes Law; Particle size analysis; Soil consistency; Soil ph; Soil moisture content; Bulk density; Particle density; Porosity; Volumetric moisture content; Degree of saturation; Soil Formation; Factors of soil formation; Stages in the development of soil; Primary minerals in soils; Isomorphous substitution; Framework structures; Silicate clays; Clays - smectites; Clays - vermiculite and illite; Non-silicate clays; Permanent and ph- dependent charges; Surface area; Cation exchange; Exchangeable cations; Base cations; Cation exchange capacity; % Base saturation; Anion exchange; Ligand exchange; Causes of soil acidity; Mechanism of acidification; Acidity and Al; Liming reactions and materials; Soil organisms - types, survival tactics; Nutrient cycling in soil ecosystem; Importance of soil organic matter; Decomposition of soil organic matter; Carbon cycle; Humus formation; Significance of the C/N ratio; Mineralisation/ immobilisation; Reasons for constancy of C/N ratio; Rate of organic matter decay; Properties of soil water; Pore water composition; Quantification of soil moisture; Moisture release curves; Water storage by soil; Water movement in soil; Saturated flow; Soil climate; Radiant heating of soil; Heat movement through soil; Thermal conductivity and heat capacity; Management of soil temperature; Essential plant nutrients; Soil productivity and fertility; Nutrient uptake by plants; Soil nitrogen; Soil sulphur, calcium and magnesium; Soil phosphorous and potassium.

Practicals Introductory Laboratory exercise; Identification of rocks and minerals; Weathering of minerals in soils; Factors affecting weathering of minerals; Soil profile description; Soil classification; Particle size analysis; Bulk density determination; Particle density determination; Quantification of soil moisture; Soil ph; Determination of organic matter; Chemical properties of soils; Cation exchange capacity; Heat capacity of soils.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

What is statistics; Definition and scope of statistics; Importance of Statistics in agriculture; Inductive and deductive reasoning; Definition and explanation of terms used in statistics - population, sample, random sample, target population, sampled population, parameter, statistic and variable; Identifying target population, sampled population and sample from a problem statement; Some basic mathematical concepts; Summation notation; Rules of summation notation; Raw data and array; Frequency distribution; Class interval, class boundary and class mark; Graphic presentation of frequency distribution - histogram and frequency polygon; Curves representing the principal varieties of population models; Cumulative frequency distributions; Relative frequency distribution; Stem and leaf plots; Measures of central tendency - mean, median and mode; Relationship between mean, median and mode; Measures of dispersion - variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation; Boxplots; percentiles; Elementary probability; Sample outcome, sample space, event; Intersection, union, Venn diagrams; Probability distributions - uniform, Bernoulii, Binomial; Normal distribution; Use of normal table; Problems dealing with the normal distribution; Standard deviation of sample means; Central Limit theorem; One tailed and two tailed tests; Confidence limits for U when is known; 't' tests and use of 't' tables; Normal approximation to the binomial; Hypothesis testing; Type I and Type II errors; Testing a mean when is not known; Independent samples; Mean square error; 'F' Test; Paired samples; Problems involving paired and independent samples; Introduction to regression; Regression equation, slope and intercept; Testing the significance of regression; Introduction to non linear regression; Problems dealing with simple line regression; Correlation and correlation coefficient; Introduction to experimental Designs; Replications; Using independent samples as introduction to a simple design; Constructing an ANOVA table for the above; Using the 'F' test for the ANOVA table; Designing experiments - field layout with appropriate examples; The Completely Randomised Design (CRD); Uses of the CRD; Using appropriate examples on the CRD for computation; Comparing treatment means; Mean tests - LSD, SNK; Contrasts; The RCB Design; Replications and randomisation in RCB; Relevance of RCB in agriculture; ANOVA table for RCB design; Calculations based on appropriate examples; Means tests; Factorial experiments; Demonstrating the use of factorial experiments; Practical applications; Calculations using appropriate examples of factorials in CRD and RCB designs; Introduction to the Latin square Design; Randomisation of the Latin square; Usefulness of Latin Square; ANOVA table for Latin Square; Calculations based on appropriate examples; Missing plot techniques; Introduction to split-plot design; Field layout and importance in agricultural experiments; ANOVA table for split- plot; Calculations using appropriate examples; Sampling - simple random sampling stratified random sampling, systematic sampling and sequential sampling.

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15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Tractors - sources of farm power, types of tractors, features and specifications, comparison of various tractor types; tractor selection; Engines - Internal combustion engines, functions of various parts of the engine; Ploughs - Functions of the ploughs, principle of operation of the plough, types of ploughs, setting and adjustments of ploughs, calculating draught requirement for ploughs; Cultivators and Harrows - Types of cultivators, functions of the cultivators principle of operation of cultivators; Ridgers and Seed Planting - Types of ridgers, principles of operation of ridgers seed broadcasting, implements for broadcasting single seed planting implements, seed drilling, principle of operation of seed drills, comparison of seed drilling with broadcasting; Sprayers and Blowers - Types of sprayers, principles of operation of sprayers, knapsack sprayers, boom sprayers, fertilizer distributor; Mowing and Harvesting - Types of cutters advantages and disadvantages of supported and unsupported cutters; Post Harvest Technology -Equipment for cleaning, grading, dry storage, size reduction: functions and principle of operation cleaners and separators for vegetables and root crops; Farm Structures - Introduction to building materials, their properties and use, basic layout of livestock housing: space requirement for poultry, cattle, swine. Principle of operation of bio-gas plant, basic designs; Equipment for Livestock - Feeding mechanisms, waste removal mechanisms, watering systems, heating, lighting, ventilation; Equipment of Livestock - Milking systems an mechanisms, principle of operation, Hatchery equipment: setters and hatchers; egg handling - layout of setters, pluckers etc.; Irrigation and Drainage - Sources of irrigation water, conveyance of irrigation water, methods of irrigation, calculating water requirement, comparison of irrigation systems for various drainage systems, crop water requirement, evapotranspiration and crop coefficient curve. Drainage problems, surface and sub-surface methods of drainage.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Insects and man - beneficial and harmful aspects; Distinguishing characteristics of arthropods and insects; Classification and mode of action of insecticides; Types of insecticide formulations; Insect phylogeny and distinguishing characters of orders; Survey of orders of economically important insects in Guyana; External anatomy - cuticle, head and mouth parts; External anatomy - thorax, abdomen, legs and their modifications; Internal anatomy - digestive, circulatory, excretory, respiratory and muscular systems; Growth and development in insects - eggs and metamorphosis; Types of metamorphosis; Larval and pupal types; Animal classification and nomenclature; Insecticide safety; Origins of pests; Ecological basis of pest control; Importance of pest identification; Methods of insect control; Integrated pest management; Insect pests of rice; Insect pests of sugar cane; Insect pests of man; Insect pests of coconuts; Insect pest of livestock and control; Insect pests of vegetables; Application of insecticides.

Practicals Calculations involving pesticide use; Calibration of sprayer; External anatomy of insect - the head; External anatomy of insects - legs, antennae and mouthparts; Insecticide labels; Field trip to insect museum; Insect dissection - digestive system, wing venation; Classification of insects - order level; Insect bioassays using insecticides; Field trip to medical laboratory; Field trip to commercial distributor of pesticides.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 30 hours)

Significance of rural sociology; Rural sociology and extension tasks; The change agent in the rural setting; Concept of society, community association and institutions; Comparison and contrasts of rural, tribal and urban settings; The process of socialization; Conflicts in the socialization process; Socialization and Rural Families; Socialization - implications for extension work; Culture, types and homogeneity/heterogeneity factors; Cultural diffusion, Slavery and the Diaspora; Current patterns in Guyanese rural communities; Social change theory; Change through adoption of innovations; Social groups, types and functions, gender issues; Using groups to carry the extension message; The Laluni farmers group - a case study; Psychological basis of human behaviour; Rural character development, role of women; The rural setting and its influences; The scope for psychology in extension work; The mindset of urban trained extensionists; The mindset of rural people - implications; Learning theory and informal education; Transfer of learning; Learning and motivation for performance; Training rural groups; some techniques; Development of attitudes and knowledge basis; Social survey role of, examples; Process of social surveys; Formulating the problem as an extension task; Survey design; Data Collection Methods - Primary and Secondary Data; Data Collection Forms; Questionnaire design; Questionnaire design and testing; Measurement Basics; Introduction to Psychological Measurement; Measuring attitudes, perceptions, and preferences; Sampling and data collection, field procedures; Data Analysis and Report Writing.

Practicals Field trips to various rural communities.

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15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Introduction to Animal Nutrition; General composition of the animal body and its tissues as a function of nutrients obtained from feed; General Composition of feed stuffs; Biochemistry, function and source of food nutrients; Classification of feedstuffs; Feed additives in animal nutrition; Identification of different classes of feedstuffs; Nutritional significance of the animal's digestive system; Study of the animal's digestive system; The study of carbohydrates, fats and protein - metabolism and utilization; The final common pathway of energy metabolism; The energy transfer system; Vitamins - sources, utilization; Study of fat and water soluble vitamins; Study of other vitamins and vitamin-like compounds; Macro-minerals - essential macro elements; Micro-minerals - essential micro elements; Other inorganic elements and review.

Practicals Laboratory sessions will be conducted pertaining to the above.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Labs 45 hours)

Gene frequencies; Genotype frequencies; Causes of changes in Gene and Genotype frequencies; The Hardy-Weinberg Law; Application of the Hardy-Weinberg Law; Test of H.W equilibrium; Assortative mating; Changes of gene frequency: mutation; Changes of gene frequency: migration; Selection; Change of gene frequency under selection; Effectiveness of selection; Average fitness and load; Balance between mutation and selection; Small populations: Changes in gene frequency; The idealised population; Variance of gene frequency; Inbreeding in the idealised Population; Effective population size; Inbreeding coefficient; Continuous variation; Genotypic values; Average effect; Breeding values; Dominance deviation; Interaction deviation; Components of Variance; Genetic Components of Variance; Variance due to disequilibrium; Correlation and interaction between genotype and environment; Environmental sensitivity; Environmental Variance; Genetic co- variance: offspring and parent; Genetic co-variance: half sibs; full sibs; Genetic co-variance: General; Heritability; Estimation of heritability.

Practicals Computation of Gene frequencies; Computation of genotype frequencies; Testing data for H.W equilibrium; Inbreeding; Computation of inbreeding coefficient of an individual; Computation of Genotypic values; Average effect of gene substitution; Computation of breeding values; Multiple measurements: repeatability; Environmental co-variances; Computation of heritability.

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15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Practicals 30 hours)

Scope and subject matter of economics; Basic theory of the consumer; Laws of supply and demand; Basic theory of agriculture production; Factor-Product relationships; Factor-Factor relationships; Resource allocation in production; Risk and uncertainty theory; Risk and uncertainty management in Agriculture; Essentials of management; Human resource management theory; Elements of production management; Production scheduling; Multi- product relationships; Interrelationships in accounting and economics; Principles of GAAP accounting practice; The balance sheet and income statement; The cash flow and owner's equity; Breakeven analysis; debt analysis; Capital budgeting; internal rate of return; Capital Budgeting; The whole farm budget; Partial budgeting techniques; Budgets, farm records and taxation; Enterprise selection; Design of production systems; Economics of feed formulation; Economic threshold in crop protection and sustainable harvesting; Economic problems in Guyana and Caribbean Agriculture; Use of economic modeling in problem solving; Collection and interpretation of economic data; Microstat - a simple econometric package for analysis using the micro computer; Models of economic growth; Theories of economic development; Role of the agricultural sector; Aims of agricultural macroeconomic policy in Guyana; Economic analysis of macro policy effects on agriculture; Macro is micro policy; Economic issues in the rice and sugar industry and livestock sector.

Practicals Field trips to selected private and public agribusinesses in Guyana.

15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Practicals 30 hours)

Principles of extension education; Informal teaching methods; Informal teaching methods in different settings; Instructional media; Audio-visual aids - selection and use; Training the trainers or rural leaders; Information management principles; Storing and retrieving extension information; Dissemination of information forward and backward; Transfer of learning theory - advanced; Variables in the learning environment; Motivation and the teachers tasks; Essentials of Programme Planning; Organization-wide operational planning; Developing an Operational Analysis of Needs; Key results Areas and Performance Indicators; Selecting Objectives; Preparing plans of Action; Factors for review in planning; Budgets and their purpose; Integrating budgets and plans; The Budget and control; Operational planning at the unit level; The District Extension Officer and unit planning; Roles and mission clarification by units; Evaluating roles in unit planning; Guidelines to making planning work; Planning in public sector organizations in Guyana; Follow-up of the planning exercise; Communication principles; Communication and the adoption; Interpersonal communication and listening; Public Speaking and oral reporting; Using Words and Style Effectively in Extension; Writing the routine, pleasant and unpleasant; Writing to persuade in Adoption; Writing letters, bulletins, pamph1ets; Interviewing for employment and training; The Report process and research methods; Managing Data and using Graphics; Organizing and writing short reports & proposals; Writing the formal report; Extension Administrative Structures.

Practicals Role playing exercises and visits to areas where extension activities are being carried out e.g. field days, demonstrations, meetings, lectures etc.

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15 weeks (Lectures 45 hours, Practicals 30 hours)

Elements of price theory; Elasticity and supply; Effects of market type on price and output; Macro policy effects on aggregate price levels; Price indices; Compilation of the consumer price index in Guyana; Principles of Banking; Role of development banks in agriculture; Money, inflation, and unemployment; Financial markets and their operation; Financing agricultural investment; Review of capital budgeting; The project cycle; Project benefit and costs; Project financing; Financing analysis using integrated financial statement; Use of ratios in assessing performance; Simulation over time of financial performance; Agribusiness markets structure and conduct; Marketing channels and margins; Formulating marketing strategy; Marketing surveys; Marketing analysis; Writing the marketing plan; International agricultural markets; Principles of international trade; International trade policy; Free trade and the formation of trading blocks; Caricom and Gatto, formation and operation; Commercial policy; The infant industry argument; Export tax and subsidy; International tariffs and quotas; National income accounting; The balance of payments; Internal and external balance; International financial institutions; Stabilization and the IMF; Structural adjustment and the World Bank; Structure and conduct of the world rice market; Structure and conduct of the world sugar market; The international market for non-traditional produce; International business practices.

Year long research project done in two (2) semesters. Research topics are chosen by the students after consultations with their supervisors and, if necessary, resource persons from institutions with link to the faculty.

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