The
course of study, which is shown in the curriculum, takes
four years. Minimum requirements for the degree of bachelor
of science In Agriculture are 131 semester hours, including
126 taken during the semesters and 5 from the Agriculture
Practices conducted in the long vacation periods of
the Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years.
The
above 131 semester hours include two for ROTC from which
foreign students are exempted.
Course
Description - Agriculture
Agri-101/Fore-102
-Introduction to Agriculture
Agriculture
today and its characteristics. Agricultural geography
and regional pattern of world agriculture. The possibilities
of African rural development in relation to economic
and social growth. Scope, importance and possibilities
on the development of agriculture in Liberia. The opportunities
in agriculture and the function of the agricultural
curriculum.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
*Agri-121
Freshman Farm Practice
Agri-201
Rural Sociology
Rural
society as it is today, dynamic and transitional. The
rapid changes taking place in population shifts, technology,
modern communications, formal education, and contemporary
rural life. Current research in terms of rural group
reactions, interactions and inter-relation. How rural
people use the decision-making process in their adaptation
to change.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-202
- Agricultural Extension Education
The
history, relationship, philosophy, purposes, legislation,
aims and objectives of agricultural and extension education.
Various aspects of the place of agriculture in rural
schools and communities, including the duties, functions
and responsibilities of extension workers, agricultural
teachers, and rural youth workers. Various types of
demonstrations, methods for disseminating information,
application of audio-visual materials;conduct of farm
visits, tours and exhibits. Planning, organizing and
operating programs in agricultural and extension education.
*AII
steps involved in producing a fairly wide variety of
vegetables from time of seed purchase up to the time
of harvest.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Agri-221
-Sophomore Farm Practice
Introduction
to basic mechanic tools, tractor nomenclature, pre-starting
procedures in tractor operation, daily and periodic
servicing of tractors, tractor driving practice.
Credit:
1 credit/three weeks on the
University Farm during the long
vacation.
Agri-301
- Agricultural Engineering
Basic
principles of internal combustion engines. Parts and
working of two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline and diesel
engines. Transmission of power in an agricultural tractor
including all the components of transmission system
and traction devices types, use arid operation of farm
tractors, selection and management of farm power units.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-302
- Agricultural Engineering
Farm
machineries. Equipment for land preparations, sowing,
inter-row cultivation, spraying and dusting and harvesting.
Farm equipment -grinders mixers, cleaners and driers.
The working of the above units, methods of operation and
their maintenance.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-303
-AgricultureStatistics
An
introductory course designed to familiarize students
with the role of statistics in various fields of study
with emphasis on agriculture. Calculation, interpretation
and use of various statistical measures.
Agri-304
- Principles of Agricultural Marketing
Revision
of basic economic concepts as they apply to the field
of marketing, principles of agricultural production
and products. Marketing agencies, channels, services
and costs. Study of the modern supermarket system as
compared with the traditional.
Agri-305
- Farm Practice (Field Crop Production)
A
practical introduction to the production of field crops
such as rice, cassava, field corn, peanuts, etc. in
Liberia. Its position and potential in land use, feed
supply and economic development of the country.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Agri-306
- Farm Practice (Animal Production)
A
practical introduction to the daily care and management
of farm animals.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Agri-Fore-307
- Nature and Properties of Soils
The
concepts of "soils'. Nature and occurrence of geological
materials. Weathering processes, physical properties
and composition of soil. Chemical properties of soils;
nature and properties of soil colloids and soil pH.
Soil organic matter, soil water properties and movement.
Study of the soil profile, factors of soil formation,
soils genesis and soil conservation. Soil management
and land classifications.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-308
- Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Pre-requisite; Nature and Properties of Soils Agri-307
History
of soil fertility. Essentials for plants growth. Mechanisms
of nutrient uptake by the plants. Major concepts in soil
fertilizers, Farm and green manure. Fertilizer management.
Economics of fertilizer use, Effects of fertilizer and
soil on crop quality.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-309
- Principles of Animal Production
Pre-requisite: General Zoology
A
general introduction to animals. Some aspects of anatomy
and physiology of farm animals relative to their economic
performance. Animal hygiene, principles of infection,
immunology, measures of prevention and control of livestock
diseases. The mechanism of thenno-regulation. The effect
of climate on livestock performance.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agrt-310
-Animal Nutrition and Feeding
Pre-requisite: Agri-309 Principles of Animal Production
The
course covers the principles of nutrition, chemistry
and metabolism of nutrients, feed evaluation, livestock
and feed requirements. Livestock feed ingredients, compounding
rations, feeding trials, measuring feed efficiency are
also examined.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-311
-Crop Production
Study
of the principles and practices of field crop production.
Food crops such as rice, cassava, corn, peanuts, etc.
are given special emphasis on their cultural practice
under the climate and soil conditions of the tropics.
The relation of environmental factors to crops distribution;
cultural practices; weed and pest control; crop rotation;
importance of good varieties; good seed and seed testing;
and other practices relating to the production of the
individual crops are studied and compared.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-312
- Crop Physiology
Fundamentals
of plants physiology, solution and colloidal systems,
photosynthesis, water and nutrition relations, metabolism,
growth and development, and their application in crop
production.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-321
-Junior Farm Practice
Practical
surveying and mapping methods are carried out at the University
Farm and Forest during the first three weeks after which
a ! survey of data collection on traditional farms is
carried out. This is an opportunity for students to live
with traditional farmers to observe their way of life
in rural areas, learn about problems and practices in
rural farming.
On
the job training with agricultural concessions or the
National | j Agricultural Extension Service on rice
development projects, agricultural I : research and
experimental stations is also provided.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-401
- Farm Practice
(Tree and Perennial Crop Production)
Practical
introduction to establishment and management of orchard
and/or plantation crops like citrus, banana, mango,
avocado, etc.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Agri-402
- Farm Management and Accounting
A
study of the basic tools used in farm management investigation
and analysis such as economic principles, farm records,
etc. Getting started in farming. Operation of the farm
for continuous profits. Analysis and planning of a farm
business. Study of two contrasting systems of farming
with emphasis on the transition from the traditional
to the commercial.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-403
- Surveying
Pre-requisite: Junior Farm Practice Agri-321
A
study of the objects, principles and practice of elementary
sur- , veying. Use of ranging poles, steel bands and
chains, arrows, offset and topographic trailer tapes,
dry and prismatic oil-immersion compasses and Abney
levels. Chain triangulations and plotting of chain surveys.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-404
- Livestock Management
Pre-requisite: Agri-309 Principles of Animal Production.
Agri-310 Animal Nutrition and Feeding
Course
covers the classes of livestock, breeds and types: their
history and development. Management of cattle, sheep,
goat and swine; livestock facilities and equipment.
Pasture utilization and ranch management; identification
of stock keeping and interpretation of livestock records;
livestock farm planning.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-405
- Basic Horticulture
A
survey of the general field of horticulture. Consideration
and application of principles involved in the culture
and utilization of fruits and vegetables and their relation
to the underlying sciences.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agrl-406
- Farm Practice
(Farm Workshop) _
Care
and use of common hand and power tools, carpentry and
woodwork, farm masonry, basic electricity, Simple plumbing
procedures and ideas, hot and cold metal work - i.e.
cutting, forming and weeding metals.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Agri-407
-Genetics
Pre-requisite; Zoology 406 Genetics, Evolution and Eugenics
A
study of the principles of heredity, heritability of
variations and theory of the gene, factor hypothesis,
sex determination, linkage and crossing-over. Application
of genetics to problems of population and immigration
as well as analysis of the evidence for organic evolution
and factors influencing it arc also treated.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-408
- Plant Breeding
Fundamental
genetic principles and their application to the problems
and method of crop improvement, breeding method* and
accomplishments. Methods used in evaluation, distribution
and maintaining improved crop varieties. Principles
and practices of method of field experimentation with
special reference on varietal, varietal-fertilizer and
v"r fetal-cultural trials.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-409/410
-Crop Protection
A
study of the principal methods used to control pests,
vwrfs and diseases; ecological control, cultural control,
biological control arK) control by breeding of resistant
strains of crops. Chemical control, its formulation
in the form of dusts, smoke, fumigants or Sprays, and
the Choice of formulations. Application machinery, dusting
systems, spraying systems, other systems of application;
choosing, operating and maintaining equipment. Chemical
control of diseases, insects and weeds inflicting rice,
vegetable crops, rubber citrus, and other important
cash crops of Liberia. Control of rodents and birds.
Credit:
2 credits/semester
Total: 4 credits
Agri-411
- Poultry Husbandry
The
course covers the fundamentals of poultry husbandry
including anatomy and physiology of fowl; basic principles
of reproduction, housing, rearing and flock management
practices. Egg and broiler production problems and principles
of applied poultry nutrition, nutritional requirements
for efficient growth, reproduction and production. Dietary
ingredients, breeding principles applied to chickens
and selecting of breeding stock. Emphasis is placed
on the poultry industry in Liberia.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-412
-Animal Reproduction and Breeding
Study
of reproduction in farm animal; artificial breeding,
genetic principles and their application in breeding
plans for animal improvement; selection, pedigree, individuality,
progeny test, and selection indices. Heritability and
breeding systems. Breeds of farm animals in West Africa,
their distribution, origin and adaptation, Recording
and performance tests.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-413
-Special Crops
This
course is a continuation of Agri-311 - Crop Production.
Besides sugar cane, soybean and sweet potatoes, tree
crops such as coffee, cocoa, oil palm and kola nut are
treated separately and in detail. Problems and cultural
practices related to the operation of production of
these crops are identified, discussed and compared.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-415
-Agricultural Finance
This
course deals with basic factors of agricultural finance
such as agricultural credit. The nature and sources
of capital in Liberia, farmers credit needs, financial
arrangements for farmers, and the agencies supplying
agriculture are identified and examined. The role of
agricultural credit in the development of agriculture
in Liberia is also treated.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-416
-Tree and Perennial Fruit Crop
An
introduction to fruit and tree crop growing with special
emphasis on tropical fruit production. Establishment
of an orchard and choosing of orchard sites; determination
of proper kinds and varieties, management of orchards,
their fertilization and pest control. Crops and soil
management practices and problems are also covered.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-417
- Techniques and Method in Teaching Agriculture
The
course prepares students in teaching Vocational Agriculture
and Agri-business in elementary and secondary schools
as well as to adult ... groups. Particular attention
is given to the secondary school. Special emphasis is
given to the techniques of problem solving, group decision-making
and the practical implementation of decisions. Relationships
of teacher-learner are emphasized. The writing of lesson
plans and development of curriculum are discussed and
practiced.
Supervision of school projects and on-the-far m improved
practices are treated. Emphasis is also placed on how
to organize adult farmer groups. Supervised practice-leaching
laboratories are conducted as well as actual practice
in local schools when feasible.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-418
- Introduction to Entomology
The
course introduces the student to the morphology, comparative
anatomy, physiology and classification of insects. The
student is expected to be familiar with insect pets
of animals and plants as well as typical economic insects
and insect pest control.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-419/422
-Agricultural Research
(Offered in both semesters)
Research
in crop and animal production. Methods used in investigation;
planning of the investigation and laying out of the
experiments, , collection and recording of the data,
and analysis, interpretation and application of the
results of the data.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-420
- Vegetable Crops
The
course deals with the principles and importance of environmental
factors, mineral nutrition, fertilizer and liming materials,
irrigation and soil factors, cover crops and green manuring,
crops mulches, herbicides and other practices on the
growth and development of plants. Emphasis is placed
on subject matters primarily geared to scientific development
of crops in Liberia. Selection of vegetable crops, varieties,
seed storage, plant growing, harvesting, post-harvesting
physiology, processing and marketing are discussed.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-421
-Animal Diseases
Pre-requisite: Agri-309 Principles of Animal Production
The
course concentrates on major diseases and disorders,
symptoms control and treatment of infectious diseases
in animals. Care of sick animals, deficiency diseases,
digestive disorders, hormonal disturbances and poisoning
are also emphasized.
Credit:
2 credits/semester
Agri-424
- Economics of Agricultural Development
A
study of the basic features and characteristics of development
economics with emphasis on agriculture. The underlying
agricultural economic concepts and their role and application
to national productivity and development are examined
and compared. The relationship to other sectors of the
national economy are examined and their impact on over-all
development are compared. Strategies for accelerating
development by helping to remove bottle-necks and instituting
programs to induce capital formation, increase credits,
improve marketing services, land-reform, etc. are also
covered.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Agri-426
- Crops Processing
Pre-requisite: Agri-302, 311 and 413
The
course exposes the student to the different methods
employed in the processing of primary crops at the farm,
village and small scale industrial levels. Emphasis
is placed on such Liberian crops as rice, oil, palm,
cassava, cocoa and coffee. The course covers the physical
and chemical changes which take place during technical
and biological processes.
The course also attempts to instill in the minds of
the student a sense of responsibility in quality control
measures and detection of adulteration of processed
products as well as a definite concern for the prevention
of food losses in processing operations.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
DEPARTMENT
OF FORESTRY
Degree of Bachelor of Science
in Forestry Requirements
The
course of study, which is shown in the curriculum, takes
four years. Minimum requirements for the degree of Bachelor
of Science in Forestry are 131 Semester Hours, including
126 taken during the semesters and 5 from the Practices
conducted in the long vacation periods of the Freshman,
sophomore and Junior Years.
The
above 131 Semester Hours include two for ROTC from which
foreign students could be exempted.
Course
Description
Fore-101/Agri-102
- Introduction to Forestry
This
course surveys the history of forestry as a science
with emphasis on forest types and their distribution,
regeneration, succession, habitat factors, air temperature,
climate, atmospheric moisture as well as forest benefits
-direct and indirect, similarities and differences between
agriculture and forestry are covered. Outlines of forest
mensuration, silviculture, management, forestry policy,
harvesting and utilization ate also treated. A model
forest law in relation to the forest laws and regulations
of the Republic of Liberia are examined. The course
also highlights the importance of Forestry as a profession.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Fore-121
- Freshman Forest Practice
Nursery
and Silviculture Practices. UL Forest Plantation site.
Credit:
2 credits/three weeks
at the University Forest
during the long vacation
Fore-201
- Dendrology
Pre-requisite: Botany 103 and 104
Introduction
to plant economy, history, principles of plant taxonomy
and current systems of classification. The course also
introduces the student to the most important families
of Monocotylenuonae and Dtctoyiedonae. Field identification
of Liberian high forest trees using morphological characteristics
of crown, leaves, twigs, bark, flower, fruit and stem
growth type as well as laboratory practice of herbarium
techniques are covered.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-202
- Biology of Wood
Pre-requisite: Botany 103 and 104
Introduction
to the anatomy of stem and root, cambium, primary and
secondary growth, wood quality in relation to tree growth;
biological organisms of deterioration: identification
of microscopical character with hand magnifier.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-203
- Forest Ecology
Climatology
- atmosphere and weather elements, air masses and fronts
movements; classification of climates in relation to
vegetation types; ecology; ecological systems; tropical
rain forest.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-204
- Forestry Policy, Law and Administration
The
course covers the general aims and special characteristics
of forest administration, administrative structure and
control of provincial, district and lower level professional
training at different levels. Forest research utilization
and management organization as well as bids, contracts,
permits, concession agreements and maintenance of records
are also covered.
The
basic principles of a forest law, the 1953 Forest Act
of the Republic of Liberia, the 1957 Supplementary Forest
Act of the Republic of Liberia and the rules and regulations
governing the powers and functions of forest officers
under the Forest Act of Liberia are also examined.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-221
- Sophomore Forestry Practice
Forest
Botany - identification and classification of forest
vegeta-
Credit: 1 credit/semester
tion.
Fore-301
- Forest Mensuration
Introduction
of measurement for purposes of sale, management and
research. Measurement of felled trees, logs and lumber
and volume determination. Shape, taper, eccentricity
of section and bark-thickness. The broad foot measure
and log rules; volume tables and increment studies;
sample plots and yield tables in plantation; use of
mensuration instruments and their application are covered.
Laboratory, a regular component.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-302
- Forest Inventories
The
urgent need for forest inventories, and definitions
of forest areas, ownership, volumes of standing timber,
growth and drain. Enumerations based on coordinated
aerial and ground surveys. Photogramme-try and photo-interpretation,
maps and determination of forest areas. Estimation of
volume of standing timber growth and drain. Systematic.
random and stratified random sampling. The introduction
of elementary statistical analysis so as to be able
to calculate tolerable and reliable minimum estimates
of exploitable timber volume.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-303
- Surveying
Objects,
principles and practice of elementary surveying. Use
of
ranging poles, steel bands, and chains, arrows, offset
and topographic trailer tapes, dry and prismatic oil-Immersion
compasses and abney, levels Chain triangulations and
plotting of chain surveys.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-304
-Mapping
Different
types of maps and map scales, Plotting, and adjusting
closing errors. Measurement of areas, coping, enlarging
and reducing maps. Lettering, tracing and colouring.
Map reading and conventional signs. Marginal information.
Grid systems. Orientating map and finding positions.
Representation of height and section drawing. Aeriel
photographs for constructing maps. Laboratory a regular
component.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-305
- Forest Engineering
Forest
roads. Location. Selection of route. Location survey.
Selection of road-building materials. Construction and
maintenance. Methods of computation for end areas. Ditching
and drainage. Forest bridges. Planning new forest bridges.
Investigation of site and required waterway- Determining
size of stringers required for specific conditions.
Design and construction of typical wooden bridges.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-306
- Logging Methods
The
essentials and preparation of logging plans with specific
emphasis on conditions in Liberia and adjoining countries.
Considerations preliminary to actual harvesting. Preparation
of trees 'or removal from the forest. Organization and
control of harvesting operations. Cable and aerial logging
systems with special consideration of tractor logging
as applied to conditions in the tropic. Movement of
products from the forest. Wire rope and accessories,
type and size of wire rope. General study of accident
prevention and satefy in logging operation.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore
309 - Wood Behavior
Pre-requisite: Physics 101 and 102, and Biology of Wood
-202
Physical
and mechanical properties; wood-fluid relations emphasizing
moisture movement, permeability, dimensional and physical
and mechanical changes as influenced by moisture content
change, thermal and electrical properties; chemical
component of the plant cell and of the cell wall. Laboratory,
a regular component.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-310
- Forest Practice
Statistics
analysis and interpretation of forest statistical data.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Fore-311
- Forest Practice
(Tractor Operation and Maintenance)
Introduction
to basic mechanic tools, tractor nomenclature, pre-starting
procedures in tractor operation, daily and periodic
servicing of tractors, and tractor driving practical
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Fore-312
-Silviculture
Foundations
of Silviculture: Soil conditions, biotic factors, solar
radiation, air temperature, wind, flood, atmospheric
moisture, humidity, climate, the inter-relation between
the tree and its environment, characteristics of tree
growth, tolerance and the forest as an ecological community.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-321
-Junior Forest Practice
During
this period, major emphasis is placed on forest management,
silviculture, mensuration, inventory, engineering, logging
utilization and forest economics.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-401
- Forest Management
Nature,
purpose and scope of forest management; the forest management
situation in Liberia; site and stocking; forest yield
and yield tables; growth and increment; fully regulated
forest-nature of growing stock and yield determination
of the cut; regulation of even-aged forests.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-402
- Forest Management and Working Plans
Nature
and structure of uneven-aged management; determination
of rotation; organizations and sub-division of forests
for management; timber management planning and plans.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-403
- Forest Economics
Terms
and definitions in forest economics. Characteristics
of the demand and supply. Production marketing (export
& import) and consumption of forest products. Community
reports, general regional accounts of forest and forestry.
Elements of economics. General national economy.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-404
- Forest Economics
Economics
of regeneration, thinning, distribution of forest products.
Forest economics of African countries with reference
to West Africa. Planning forestry activities. The working
capital. Labour productivity. The rotation period and
its influence. Investment planning and types of investment.
Financial plan; organization of an enterprise. Classification
of program of forest officers. The techniques of forest
valuation.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-405
- Primary Timber Industries
Pre-requisites: Chemistry 101 & 102; Wood Behavior
309
Saw-milling
and conversion. Planning and operation of small sawmills
and study of large saw-mills. Veneers and Plywood manufacture
and other forest products. Particle board. Fober board.
Mechanical and chemical pulp and paper manufacture.
Grading of primary forest products and marketing channels.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-406
- Forest Utilization
Pre-requisite : Wood Behavior 309
Wood
processing, machining, seasoning, gluing, preservation,
and finishing. Three lectures and two hours of laboratory
each week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-407
- Silviculture II
Seeds,
seed handling, nursery practice, plantation establishment.
Stand treatment and manipulation. Natural regeneration,
Silvicultural systems with special reference to the
tropics.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-408
-Silviculture III
Nursery
and plantation practices continued. Natural regeneration.
Silvicultural systems of the tropics. Species trial
techniques and tree selection.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-409
- Forest Protection
Introduction
to morphology of Insects, skeleton, digestive system,
circulatory systems, nervous system, metamorphosis,
control methods and insecticides.
Introduction
to phytopathology; phycomycetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycestes
and fungi imperfecti; diseases with special reference
to forest trees or attacking wood. Control methods and
fungicides. Agents other than insects or fungi damaging
or destroying forest. Morphology of insects and fungi.
Laboratory, a regular component.
Credit:
2 credits/semester
Fore-410
- Introduction to Natural Rubber Production
Anatomy
and biology of hevea Brasilliensis, its cultivation
and exploitation and the processing of rubber. Management
and economics of rubber farms.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Fore-411
- Forest Practice
Survey
of forest areas and plantations.
Credit:
1 credit/semester
Fore-413/414
- Forest Research
(Offered in both semesters)
Research
in forest tree crops and production. Methods used for
investigation; planning of the investigation and laying
out of the experiments, collection and recording of
the data, and analysis and interpretation of the results.
Application of the results from the researches.
Credit:
1-3 credits/semester
