- Duration: 104 weeks
Summary
The Master of Science in Agroforestry (MScAF) is a four-semester program with 63 credits including 14 conceptual and 3 experiential courses of 3 credits each, and thesis of 12 credits. Launched in 2021, the courses have been revised with the inputs of teaching faculties and experts. The revised courses have been endorsed by the Academic Council on 25 January 2023 upon the approval with inputs by the Subject Committee meeting on 05 January 2023.
Program Goal
As per the Senate decision, the program goal of the Master of Science in Agroforestry (MScAF) is to focus on the development of economically viable tapovana (meditation grove) in line with Buddhist philosophy and the universal goals of sustainable development.
Program Objective
The main objective of the MScAF program is to prepare the students equipped with knowledge, skill and attitude for independently conceptualizing, planning, implementing and evaluating agroforestry programs/projects through integration of the Buddhist philosophy and the contemporary applied sciences along with innovative ideas for bringing positive changes in the livelihood of the people.
Program Outcome
The students who would successfully complete the MScAF program would be competitively instrumental in the agroforestry related organizations at the government, nongovernment or community from the grass-root through the policy-making levels.
Pedagogy
As outlined in the LBU’s Sub-rules of Operating Semester System, the pedagogy will follow interactive and participatory along with students’ presentations, case studies etc. The course instructors may also develop their tailor-made approaches as suitable for their respective courses or topics (LBU, 2018).
In accordance to the UGC framework of higher education, the course of 3 credits each will be conducted in 15 sessions of 3 hours each totaling 45 lecture hours. Students are expected to study 90 hours for their independent learning (HEQFDT, 2016).
Evaluation
The courses have been designed to be field oriented, and evaluation of learners’ performance and achievements will be based on 100 marks segregated into 50 each in internal evaluation and end-semester examinations (Tables 2 and 3).
| Table 2. Internal Evaluation by Course Instructors (50%) | |||
| SN | Tasks | Number | Marks |
| 1 | Class Participation (@ One Session in 15 Weeks) | 30 | 5 |
| 2 | Assignments (individual and job related) | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Group work (preferably field based) | 1 | 10 |
| 4 | Presentation (group/individual) | 1 | 10 |
| 5 | Term paper (research based, field or table) | 1 | 15 |
| Total | 5 | 50 | |
| Note: Course instructors may design types of assignments, group work and presentations. However, outlines or checklists should be shared with students in advance. | |||
| Table 3. End-semester examinations by Office of the Controller of Examinations (50%) | |||
| SN | Tasks | Number | Marks |
| 1 | Objective Questions (multiple choice questions of one best option and three distractors) @ 1 mark | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | Subjective Questions | ||
| 2.1 | Long (innovation, analysis, problem solving) @ 10 marks | 2 | 20 |
| 2.2 | Short (understanding, application) @ 5 marks | 4 | 20 |
| Total | 16 | 50 | |
Further elaborations of internal evaluation and end-semester examinations are given in the LBU’s sub-rules for the operation of semester system (Annex 2) (LBU, 2018).
Inter-Program Courses
In addition to the courses offered in the MScAF program, a student may opt for additional courses that are offered in LBU’s other master programs. Upon the approval of a supervising professor, a student may extend the timeframe for completing those course(s) by up to two additional semesters.
COURSE BRIEFS
The following briefs have been prepared to indicate the objective, scope and spirit of the given courses. As practiced at LBU-SDSAS, teaching faculties prepare detailed syllabus with unit breakdowns, references and lecture-hours based on the latest information available. They will also prepare their session plans for 16 weeks for delivery by indicating dates of sessions, assignments and evaluation approaches etc.
| Summary Table: Course Structure by Semesters | ||
| Semester | Course | Taxonomy Hierarchy |
| First | AGFR 510 Basics of Agroforestry | 2. Understanding |
| AGFR 511 Monastic Experiences | 4. Problem solving | |
| AGFR 512 Agroforestry for Sustainable Development | 2. Understanding | |
| AGFR 513 Buddhism and Natural Resource Management | 2. Understanding | |
| AGFR 514 Home/School Gardening or
AGFR 516 Silviculture |
3. Application | |
| AGFR 515 Research Methodology in Agroforestry | 4. Problem solving | |
| Second
|
AGFR 551 Agroforestry Farm Experience | 4. Problem solving |
| AGFR 552 Geographical Information System | 4. Problem solving | |
| AGFR 553 Agroforestry Plan and Policy | 5. Analysis | |
| AGFR 554 Agroforestry Extension Education or
AGFR 556 Forest Management |
3. Application | |
| AGFR 555 Urban Forestry | 3. Application | |
| Third
|
AGFR 611 Outreach Program | 4. Problem solving |
| AGFR 612 Integrated Pest Management or
AGFR 616 Soil Conservation and Watershed Management |
5. Analysis | |
| AGFR 613 Herbal Farming | 3. Application | |
| AGFR 614 Agroforestry Products & Markets | 5. Analysis | |
| AGFR 615 Agroforestry Cooperatives or
AGFR 617 Forest Biometrics |
6. Innovation | |
| Fourth | AGFR 651 World Trade in Agroforestry | 5. Analysis |
| AGFR 652 Thesis | 6. Innovation | |
|
Note: AGFR 652 carries 12 credits, and remaining courses carry 3 credits each. AGFR 511, AGFR 551 and AGFR 611 are the experiential courses, and the remaining ones are conceptual. |
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Admissions
The minimum qualifications of learners for admissions will be as follows:
- CGPA 2.5 or 50% aggregate in the four year undergraduate programs of any stream
- CGPA 2.5 or 50% aggregate in the three year undergraduate programs of any stream, and 2 years of work experience in the relevant fields
| SN | Particulars | 1st Semester | 2nd Semester | 3rd Semester | 4th Semester |
| 1 | Entrance Fee | 2500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | LBU Registration | 5000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Tuition fee per Month | 12500 | 12500 | 12500 | 12500 |
| 4 | ID card | 500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Game and Sports | * | * | * | * |
| 6 | Library fee | 4000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Library Card | 500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Laboratory Fee | * | * | * | * |
| 9 | Library Deposit | 5000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Examination Mid Term | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| 11 | Examination Semester End | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 |
| 12 | College Development Fund | 1000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Student Welfare | 5000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Security Deposit | 5000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Thesis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15000 |
| 16 | Seminar | * | * | * | * |
| 17 | Field Visit | * | * | * | * |
| 18 | Publication | * | * | * | * |
| Sub Total | 44500 | 16000 | 16000 | 31000 | |
| Five Months Fee | 62500 | 62500 | 62500 | 62500 | |
| Payment Per Students at Semester End | 107000 | 78500 | 78500 | 93500 | |
| Installments of Payment | |||||
| At the time of Admission | 53500 | 39250 | 39250 | 46750 | |
| At the time of Final Examination | 53500 | 39250 | 39250 | 46750 | |
| Total Payment Students In 2 years | 357500 | ||||
| Fees For International Students | |||||
| Fee for SAARC Students | 536250 | ||||
| Fee for the International Students | 715000 | ||||
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