The M.Sc. programme in Agricultural and Food Marketing involves a minimum of 29 credit hours of required courses and a minimum of 3 credits of elective courses. In addition to these, M.Sc. thesis research work of 6 credit hours is required by all students.
1.2.2. Admission

The general admission requirements for the M.Sc. programme in Agricultural and Food Marketing is the successful completion of academic requirements of the B.Sc. degree in Agricultural Economics, B.A. in Economics or related fields and the fulfilment of other admission criteria of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Graduates in other fields of Agriculture are eligible for admission upon the completion of one semester preparatory courses.
1.2.3. Graduation

Fulfilment of course and Thesis requirements of the programme and graduation requirements of the SGS.

2. M.Sc. Programs in the Department of Agricultural Engineering

The Department of Agricultural Engineering currently offers M.Sc. Programs in Postharvest Technology and Soil and Water Engineering.
2.1. M. Sc. in Postharvest Technology

2.1.1. The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Postharvest Technology consists of thesis and non-thesis options. Students choosing the thesis option are required to take a minimum of 26 credit hours and are expected to conduct MSc thesis research equivalent to 6 credit hours. The non-thesis option has 3 additional courses with 3 credit hours each and students are expected to conduct Master’s Project of 3 credit hours.
2.1.2. Admission

Applicants must fulfil the admission criteria of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Graduates with a BSc degree in Agricultural Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering or any other related sciences may apply for admission.
2.1.3. Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Postharvest Technology is awarded to a candidate who met the course requirements of the program and the general SGS graduation requirement.

2.2. M.Sc. in Soil and Water Engineering
2.2.1. The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Soil and Water Engineering consists of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering stream and Irrigation Engineering stream. Graduate students are required to take, besides common courses for both options, a few additional major courses. A choice is also made between the two options regarding M.Sc. thesis research projects and master’s project for non-thesis option.
2.2.2. Admission

Graduates with a BSc degree in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering or any other related engineering sciences with a minimum CGPA of 2.00
Applicants must fulfil the admission criteria of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS).
2.2.3. Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Soil and Water Engineering is awarded to a candidate who completed 28 credit hours (Soil and Water Conservation Engineering stream) and 29 credit hours (Irrigation Engineering stream) of course work in addition to thesis research of 6 credit hours. Graduate students of non-thesis options should take additional courses of 9 credit hours and Master’s Project of 3 credit hours.

2.3. M.Sc. in Agricultural Machinery Design and Mechanization
2. 3.1. The Program

The general objectives of the graduate program, in Agricultural Machinery Design and Mechanization, is to train qualified and competent personnel who can design, manufacture, evaluate and/or manage farm machines and implement effectively and efficiently. The specific objectives are: -
? To provide an advance course of study that includes theory and practice of agricultural mechanization and implement design;
? To provide opportunity for independent studies in search of solution to current problems of agricultural mechanization and agricultural machinery design, production, evaluation and introduction;
? To advance inter-disciplinary research in broad context of agriculture to promote and uphold productivity of Ethiopian agricultural; and
? To document research findings and disseminate the same among universities, researchers institutes, and concerned with agricultural mechanization, implements design, production and marketing.
2.3.2. Option of the Program

In addressing the wide range of problems of the agricultural sector in the area, the graduate program has been designed to allow two options in course work and research, namely:
? Agricultural Mechanization, and Agricultural Machinery Design.
2.3.3. Admission Requirement

Applicants for graduate studies in Agricultural Machinery Design or Agricultural Mechanization must have a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural and mechanical engineering or other related disciplines. Applicants with none agricultural background shall be required to take remedial courses to make up their deficiencies. Moreover, all applicants must meet other requirements set by the School of Graduate Studies of HU.

3.M.Sc. Program in Agricultural Extension

3.1.The program

The main purpose of M.Sc. program is to respond to the growing needs of qualified manpower in the field of Agricultural Extension, which is required for the agriculture-led industrialization and development process of the country by raising theoretical and practical knowledge of students in the field of Agricultural Extension. It will also to strengthen the research capability of both staff and students of the Department. At the same time it will help to improve the teaching and learning process of the undergraduate programs.
3.2. Admission

The general admission requirement for the M.Sc program in the field of Agricultural Extension is successful completion of academic requirements of the B.Sc. degree in Agricultural Extension or related fields and performance in entrance exam.

3.3. Graduation

The M.Sc in Agricultural Extension will be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed 32 credit hours of course work and a thesis research of 6 credit hours.

4. M. Sc. Programs in the Department of Animal Science

4.1. M.Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding

4.1.1. The Program

The Master of Science Program in Animal Genetics and Breeding involves a minimum of 30 credits of course work and six credits of research work on which a Thesis must be written and defended successfully. The objective of the program is to train skilled manpower capable of designing and handling research and development strategies towards the conservation and breeding of livestock for sustainable improvement in livestock resources.

4.1.2. Admission

- Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institutions.
- The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study.
- The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidate's undergraduate instructors, employers and professional associations.
- Candidates from non-animal science graduates admitted to the programme may be required to take some basic courses from the under graduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the graduate faculty based on the B.Sc. credentials of the students.

4.1.3. Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Animal Genetics and Breeding is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all courses of the program and successfully defended his/her Thesis.

4.2. M.Sc. in Animal Production
4.2.1. The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Animal Production has a course work requirement of at least 31 credits and six credits of research work on which a Thesis must be written and defended successfully.

The main objective of the program is to train staff well versed in livestock management capable of developing research strategies or rural development options that will improve the standard of living of rural population through improved livestock resource management.

4.2.2. Admission

- Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor's of degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institutions.
- The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study.
- The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidates under graduate instructors, employers and professional associations.
- Non-animal science majors admitted to the programme may be required to take some prerequisite courses from the under graduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the graduate faculty based on the B.Sc. credentials of the student.

4.2.3. Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Animal production is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all examinations of courses in the program and successfully defended the Thesis.

4.3. M. Sc. in Rangeland Ecology and Management
4.3.1. The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Rangeland Ecology and Management requires a minimum of 32 credits of course work and six credits of research work on which a Thesis must be written and defended successfully. The program has the objective to develop range ecology and management with emphasis on livestock production and management aspects, including the interaction of livestock and vegetation. The main objective of the program is to train skilled manpower capable of developing research strategies or rural development options that will improve the standard of living of pastoralists through improved livestock and forage resource management and avoidance of land resource degradation.

4.3.2. Admission

- Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institution.
- The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study.
- The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidates under graduate instructors, employers and professional associations.
- Candidates from non-animal science majors admitted to the programme may be required to take some basic courses from the under graduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the graduate faculty based on the B.Sc. credentials of the students.
4.3.3. Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Range Ecology and Management is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all courses of the program and successfully defended his/her Thesis.

4.4. M. Sc in Animal Nutrition
4.4.1. The program

The Master of Science degree program in Animal Nutrition has a course work requirement of 31 credits and six credits of research, which should be documented in a thesis that will be subject to an open defense examination in public.

The main objective of the program is to train staff well versed in the nutrition of animals and available options to cater for proper feeding of animals in various agricultural setups. Moreover, the candidate undergoing through the program will be capable of developing research strategies in animal nutrition and designing and implementing on station and on farm research trials pertinent to animal feeding in order to resolve the chronic problems animals face in the quantity and quality of feed supply, thereby alleviating one of the major bottlenecks in various animal production systems.

4.4.2. Admission

Applicants must have completed the academic requirements for the Bachelor’s of degree in Animal Science, Biology or other related sciences from an accredited higher learning institutions. The candidate must pass qualifying (entrance) examination in the field of study. The candidate must be supported by at least three letters of recommendation preferably from the candidates under graduate instructors, employers and professional associations. Candidates with a different background other than Animal Sciences may be required to take some prerequisite courses from the under graduate program. These courses will be worked out by the Department Graduate Council and approved by the Council of Graduate Studies.

4.4.3. Graduation

The MSc degree in Animal Nutrition is awarded to a candidate, who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, scored above ‘B’ grade and only one ‘C’ grade in the examinations for the courses in the program and successfully defended the MSc. thesis.

5. M. Sc. Programs in the Department of Plant Sciences

The Department of Plant Sciences offers five graduate programs, i.e. Agronomy,
Crop Protection, Horticulture, Plant Breeding and Soil Science.
4.1. M.Sc. in Agronomy
4.1.1. The Program

The program of study leading to the M. Sc. degree in Agronomy requires a minimum of 29 credit hours of course work and a Thesis equivalent to 6 credits.
4.1.2. Admission

The minimum qualification for admission to the Master's program in Agronomy is a
Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Sciences, Biology, Ecology and related fields. A
Cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00, fulfilment of qualifying examination, and other
admission requirements of the SGS.
4.1.3. Graduation

Fulfilment of all graduation requirements of the SGS and the Agronomy Graduate
Program.

4.2. M. Sc. in Crop Protection
4.2.1. The Program

The program of study leading to the M. Sc. degree in Crop Protection requires a minimum of 29 cr. hrs. for Plant Pathology Stream, 28 cr. hrs. for Agricultural Entomology Stream and 27 cr. hrs. for Weed Science Stream of course work and 6 cr. hrs. of M. Sc. Thesis.

4.2.2.Admission

Applicants should in general be holders of Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science, Forestry or Biology, qualify entrance examination and meet other admission requirements of the SGS.

4.2.3.Graduation Requirement

Fulfilment of all graduation requirements of the SGS and the Crop Protection Graduate Program

4.3. M. Sc. in Horticulture

4.3.1. The Program

The program of study leading to the M. Sc. degree in Horticulture requires a minimum of 29 credit hours of course work and a Thesis equivalent to 6 credit hours. Students interested in the breeding of horticulture crops should register in Plant Breeding.

4.3.2. Admission

The minimum qualification for admission to the M. Sc. Horticulture is a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Sciences, Biology, Ecology and related fields. A cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00, fulfilment of qualifying examination and other admission requirements of the SGS.

4.3.3. Graduation

Fulfilment of all graduation requirements of the SGS and Horticulture Graduate Program.

4.4. M. Sc. in Plant Breeding
4.4.1. The Program

The M. Sc. Program in Plant Breeding requires minimum of 26 credits of course work and a Master Thesis of 6 credits. Students interested in the breeding of horticultural crops should register in Plant Breeding stream.

4.4.2. Admission

Applicants must be graduates in Plant Sciences, Biology and other related fields with CGPA of 2.00 and above, and meet other admission requirements of School of Graduate Studies (SGS).
4.4.3. Graduation

Fulfilment of the general graduation requirements of the SGS and the program

4.5. M. Sc. in Soil Science
4.5.1. The Program

The program of study leading to M. Sc. degree consists of two different options. In OPTION-I, students are required to conduct an M. Sc. thesis research, submit thesis and defend their research work (Table 1). OPTION -2 is a non-M. Sc. thesis research study program. However, non-thesis research students are required to undertake a guided/directed research and conduct extra credit hours of course work over and above the students of OPTION-1 (Table 2).

4.5.1.1. OPTION-1: M. Sc. With Thesis Research
The M. Sc. with thesis research program in Soil Science consists of a set of core (required) course works accounting for a total of 28 credit hours and a minimum of three credit hours of elective course, in addition to 6 credit hours of M. Sc. Thesis Research. Thus the minimum requirement of courses and thesis research shall be 37 credit hours. The course work is expected to be complete in one academic year and the thesis research in one additional year making the average total duration of study two academic years.

4.5.1.2. OPTION-2: M. Sc. With Non-Thesis Research
The M. Sc. with non-thesis research would require additional 5 Cr. Hrs. of core courses and 4-6 Cr. Hrs. of elective courses over and above the Option I. Further, students are required to conduct guided research of 4-6 Cr. Hrs. depending upon the credit hours taken as elective courses. Thus total credit hours of elective courses and guided research shall be 10 Cr. Hrs.
4.5.2. Admission Requirement

Admission requirements to both options of the M. Sc. degree program in Soil Science is B. Sc. degree or its equivalent in Soil Science, Plant Science, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Ecology, Geography, Agricultural Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation, Dryland Agriculture, Forestry and other related fields. Applicants of graduates from fields other than Soil Science, Soil and Water Conservation and Plant Science may have to remove their deficiencies by conducting selected undergraduate courses recommended by the Department Graduate Committee (DGC) and approved by Council of Graduate Studies (CGS). In addition, applicants must fulfil other admission criteria of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of AU.
4.5.3. Graduation
Eligibility of candidates for the Master of Science degree in Soil Science is subject to the fulfilment of all graduation requirements of the Program and the School of Graduate Studies of the University.

II. FACULTY OF EDUCATION

1. Master of Education in Biology and Chemistry
1. The Program

The program is designed to include course work on core biology and chemistry professional/pedagogical subjects. All courses are to be offered in a student-centered manner so that the candidates will be able to internalize active-learning and continuous assessment techniques. Besides, the candidates will write term papers and present seminars from the point of view of school-based practical activities on effective teaching skills, implementation of curricula and evaluation in order to link the theoretical background with practical objective reality of schooling in Ethiopia. Thesis work focusing on educational research with the aim of improving students’ education in the fields of biology and chemistry.

2. Admission

Candidates must fulfill the following requirements to join the programs:
• A successful completion of BEd or BSc degree in biology or chemistry or in other related sciences from any accredited higher learning institution. In the latter case if candidates are found to be deficient in some courses they may be required to take selected remedial undergraduate courses.
• A minimum of three years service as teachers and currently engaged in the same profession.
• A successful pass in a qualifying (entrance) examination of the respective department.
• Producing three letters of recommendations from his/her employer and instructors.
• Fulfilling all other requirements of the School of Graduate Studies of Alemaya University.
• Producing sponsorship letters from their employers.
• Self-sponsored candidates make advance payments during registration at the beginning of each semester. The University shall not be obliged to finance their theses research work.
3. Graduation requirements

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
• No “F” grades.
• Successful completion of 26 credits coursework in biology and 27 credits in Chemistry and thesis research work.