COURSE SYNOPSES

ENGINEERING DRAWING

The course focuses on engineering drawing: Topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Introduction to Drawing Office Practice, BS 308, etc; Geometrical Constructions; Blending of Curves; Linkages, Locus, Ellipse, Cycloid, epicycloids, etc; Introduction to development (Prisms, Cylinders, etc); Orthographic Projection (systems of projection); Dimensioning and Tolerancing; Sections and sectional views. Introduction to isometric projection; Standard Parts (Threading, Fasteners, etc); Assembly Drawing 11.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS The course equips students with critical communication skills for both academic and professional purposes. It aims at stimulating critical thinking in students and at laying a foundation for effective context-based communication. The course covers the following generic communication concepts: The process of communication, models of communication, non-verbal communication, corporate communication, conflict resolution and management strategies, computer mediated communication, written communication and oral public presentation skills. Academic communication skills: critical thinking skills, models of critical thinking, strategies for critical thinking, essay writing, plagiarism, referencing, academic argumentation skills and creative thinking. Specific communication needs: communication for engineers and scientists, technical reports and proposals, presentation of technical and scientific messages (graphics and illustrations), development communication, approaches to development communication, strategies for presenting technical messages to non-technical audiences, multi-media communication, persuasive communication and communication and leadership.

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS I

The course focuses on Engineering mathematics, the topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Calculus in one variable: Limits and continuity of functions. Leibniz’s Rule. L’ Hopital’s Rule, Plane polar coordinates. Complex Numbers: Basic Algebra. Demoivre’s theorem. Complex exponentials. Linear Algebra: Vectorial algebra in 2 and 3 dimensions. Matrices- basic operations rank, inverses. Systems of linear equations- Gauss elimination. Eigenvalues and eigen vectors Differentiation. Functions of single and several variable: Partial derivatives, chain rule and Applications, Lagrange multipliers. Integration, chain rule, integration by parts, applications of integration.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS History of computers. Computer hardware: input devices, output devices, storage devices (Primary, ROM/RAM and secondary), the CPU and other peripheral device. Computer software: Window-based operating System. Applications software: Word processing, Spreadsheets, Presentation packages (PowerPoint). Networking: LAN and WAN basics, Internet and e-mail. Computer programming: design of flowcharts and algorithms, use of a procedural language to write simple programs involving a sequence of statements, repetition using (For loops, While Loops), selection

using (IF… and SELECT statements). Modules and subprograms. Computer room environment: good practice in computer room, computer viruses.

WORKSHOP PROCESSES AND PRACTICE

The course focuses on workshop processes and practice. Topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Safety precautions and general measures. Causes of accidents and prevention-machines, loose-clothing, long hair, occupational health hazards. Cleanliness of workplace. Machining and fitting: Measuring instruments, marking out, hand and portable machining tools, fastening devices,drilling,turning, milling, offhand grinding, screw threads, gear cutting. Fabrication: Basic sheet metal tools, marking out, bending brake, rolling cutting, nibbling, guillotine, developing and joining riveting. Soldering, brazing and spot welding, gas and arc welding, fluxes and coated electrodes. Standards: Limits and fits, surface measurement. Laboratory: Use of handtools, drilling, turnings, millings, gear cutting, metal bending, folding and joining

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC PRINCIPLES This course introduces students to fundamental concepts and applications of electrical and electronic principles. The following topics are normally covered: Concept and units of electromotive force, potential difference, electric charge, current, resistors and resistance, power, efficiency and energy. Resistors in parallel and in series. Capacitor and capacitance. Inductor and inductance. Electric fields and magnetic fields, magnetic and dielectric materials, permittivity, permeability, forces in electric and magnetic media, energy stored. Magnetism and electromagnetic induction. DC transients. DC circuit analysis: Kirchhoff’s laws, network theorems (Thevenin and Norton and superposition). Instantaneous, average and rms quantities, form factor. Single phase ac circuits and phasor diagram, power triangle, power factor and correction. Power measurement.Three phase circuit analysis, star and delta connected supplies and loads. Semiconductors, P-type and N-type material, p-n junction characteristics. Diodes and bipolar junction transistors and simple application (half-wave and full-wave rectification). Number system, Boolean algebra, logic gates and circuits, minimization of logic expressions by algebraic method and K-map method. Combinational circuits: adder, subtractor, encoder, decoder, multiplexer, de-multiplexer. Sequential circuits: multivibrators (monostable, bistable, astable), flip flop (SR, clocked SR, JK)

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS

Introduction to statistics: definition, uses of statistics (research, business, tourism, agriculture). Probability: multiplicative law, addition law, conditional probability, tree diagram, law of total probability. Probability distributions: random variables; discrete, continuous. Binomial distributions: normal distribution. Measures of central tendency and dispersion: mean, mode, range, variance, standard deviation, standard error of the mean. Parametric and non-parametric statistic. Sampling techniques: simple, random, stratified, cluster, systematic. Data types, presentation and summarization techniques: tables, graphs, charts. Regression and correlation: regression parameters, correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination. Simple statistical inference: hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, t-tests and chi-square tests. Practicals using appropriate statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, GENSTAT, SAS).

FARM PRACTICE

This course will acquaint students on farm operations. The following topics will normally be covered: Farm characterization; Farm machinery; Irrigation equipment; Farm enterprises; Tillage

methods; Land preparation; Crop establishment methods; weed management; crop protection equipment design and calibration; Grain crop harvesting; Farm budgeting, planning and management. Students would be expected to be able to identify and receive some practical training and maintenance on agricultural field equipment such as tractors, land clearing equipment, liquid chemical sprayers and their components, mowers, land cultivation equipments, planting equipment, fertilizer applicators, crop harvesting equipment and irrigation equipment.

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS II

The course focuses on engineering mathematics: Topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Calculus of several variables. Polar coordinates, complex variables, hyperbolic functions, limits, complex variables. Ordinary differential equations. First and second order equations. Applications of differential equations to engineering. Multiple Integrals. Vector Calculus. Scalar and vector fields. Green’s Gauss and Stokes theorems.

ENGINEERING MECHANICS

The course focuses on Engineering Mechanics. Topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Basic concepts and fundamental principles, statics and rigid bodies. Two and three dimensional equilibrium. Free body diagrams Friction structures Shear forces and Bending moments in beams . Centroid and centre of gravity, first and second moments of areas. Mass moments of inertia . Plane Kinematics and kinematics of particles. Engineering mechanics Laboratory: Experiments on energy, moment of inertia, friction in belts and ropes, deflection of beams, dynamic balancing, free vibations

SOIL SCIENCE

Soil provides performs various ecological functions such as the provision of plants with water and mineral nutrients, and as material for engineering purposes. This course provides students with a better understanding of the physical and chemical properties of soil and how they affect plant growth and use as engineering material. The course content will normally include the following topics: Soil formation: Parent material characteristics; Influence of factors of soil formation. Physical properties of soils: soil separates and soil textural classes, inter-particle forces, flocculation and dispersion, soil structure. Mineralogy of soils: particle mineralogy and its effects on physical and chemical properties (1:1, 2:1 and 2:2 phyllosilicates, Fe oxides), crystalline and amorphous clay colloids, origin and magnitude of permanent and pH-dependent charge, soil water relations; soil air and temperature; soil organic matter. Soil chemical environment: ion adsorption and exchange, ion exchange capacities, base cations, exchangeable aluminium, hydroxy aluminium. Soil microbiology and biochemistry: Plant mineral nutrition; cycles; movement, and uptake by plants; soil pH; Soil classification, land capability classification; soil management; management of saline and sodic soil.

ENGINEERING MATERIALS

The course focuses on Engineering Materials. Topics covered in this course include but not limited to:Atomic Structure and Inter Atomic Bonding, Crystalline Structure of Solids, Imperfections in Solids, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Metals, Plastic Deformation of Crystalline Materials, Phase Diagrams of Metals and Alloys, Thermal Processing of Metals and Alloys, Production,

properties and Application of Steels Production, properties and Application of some Non- Ferrous metals and Alloys, Production, properties and Application of polymers, Production, properties and Application of Reinforced Polymers, Production, properties and Applications of Ceramics. Engineering materials laboratory: Tensile testing, Impact testing, Charpy and Izod tests Hardness testing, fatigue testing, creep testing.

PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS Definition of agricultural economics; goals of undertaking choices in agriculture; the nature and scope of agricultural economics; the nature of agriculture as distinct from industry; and the transition of agriculture from a subsistence activity to a commercial activity. Contribution of agriculture to economic development and the interdependence between agriculture and industrial development. The role of the Government of Zimbabwe in agricultural development. Resource allocation and management in agriculture; factors of production. The supply and demand of agricultural products and the basic concept of the production function. Markets and competition, and the economics of trade.

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS III

The course focuses on advanced concepts of Engineering Mathematics. Topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Laplace and fourier transformations . Fourier series , numerical solutions of differential equations.

Theory of simultaneous equations , matrices, vector space solution of linear systems equations . Eigen values and eigenvectors , infinite series , comparison test and ratio test for non-negative series, vector algebra , scalar and vector products , triple products , vector equations , vector analysis , gradient , divergence and curl, line and multiple intergrals, greens theorem in the plane , divergence theorem and Stoke’s theorem.

HYDRAULICS AND FLUID MECHANICS

Basic fundamental properties of fluids, pressure measurement, hydrostatic forces on surfaces, buoyancy and floatation, kinematics and dynamics of fluids, equivalent pipe concept; surface flow; flow measurement, flow through orifices and mouthpieces, Darcy-Weisbach, Hazen Williams, Scobey formulae; notches and weirs and open channels,; loss of energy in pipelines and pipeline networks; economical sections for maximum flows.

THEORY OF STRUCTURES Review of equilibrium concepts: conditions of equilibrium. Beams: Stress and strain; Hooke’s Law; Yield criteria; Fatigue, fracture and creep; Axial force; Shear force; Shear force and bending moment diagrams; Determinacy and indeterminacy in beams; Equation of condition. Basic structural theorems: Castigliano’s theorems: principle of virtual work; Types of structures and their behavior; Types of loads; Determinacy and indeterminacy; Plane trusses; Bridge and roof trusses; Long span trusses (cable and arches); Influence lines for statically determinate beams and trusses; deflection of statically determinate structures; area moment; application of Castigliano’s theorems; unit load method; Strain and complementary energy.

ENGINEERING DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The course focuses on Engineering design principles. Topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Introduction to principles of engineering design ; Types of design ;basic creative Problem solving techniques ;the design activity; morphology of design; Design for manufacture assembly, cost etc. Concurrent Engineering , Quality Function deployment ; Robust design. Taguchi method Decision making; Product life cycle ; service life reliability, materials analysis and selection of component production processes. Lab :Computer Aided Drawing using AutoCAD 2001. 2D drawings, Orthogonal Drawing, Assemble Drawing, production of drawings’hard copy using both printers and plotters. Understanding of both 2D and 3D commands. Graphics Laboratory: Engineering Drawing using the computer. Introduction to CAD, Applications and advantages of CAD, the CAD environment, Drawing in 2D: draw, modify, dimensioning, Isometric Drawing, blocks, layers, 3D drawing: 3 D wire-frame, surface and solid modelling. using the building blocks. 3D modifying commands.

ENGINEERING SURVEYING Basic surveying, Types and classes of surveys, Distance and units measurements, Accuracy, precision and mistakes, Tape measurements, Dumpy level, Theory of differential leveling, Leveling procedures, Benchmark leveling, Theodolites, Traverse surveys, open and closed traverses, Topographic maps and mapping, Maps orientation, Interpolating contour lines.

Coordinate systems; The Universal Transverse Mercator Grids, Global Position System (GPS), GPS surveying techniques, Collecting and processing GPS data, GPS applications.

ELECTRICAL MACHINES

Circuit analysis of electrical machines. Magnetic field theory, Transformers (single phase and 3 phase) including autotransformer, Construction, Principle of operation and Application of the following types of rotating machines: ac generators; dc motors; synchronous generators (alternators); synchronous motors; induction motors; single phase machines, Reluctance Machines, Lab practicals, power systems and protection.

CROP PRODUCTION FOR ENGINEERS

Crop classification, growth, development and water relations; cropping systems and production management; production cycle of specific field crops (maize, soya, sugar cane, cotton, tobacco); Land preparation; planting, harvesting and storage. Visits to commercial production areas. STRENGTH OF MATERIALS

The course focuses on strength of materials and the topics covered in this course include but not limited to: Hooke’s Law, elastic and Plastic deformation , stress in axially loaded members . thin shells under pressure , bending and shear stresses in beams , Deflection of beams , Torsion Columns , Energy methods , Combined stresses , Theories of failure , Principal stresses and strain for uniaxial biaxial and triaxial stress systems. Plasticity; Von Mises and Tresca yield criterion discontinuous yielding , Fatigue of materials. Strength of Materials Laboratory: Tension tests to determine yield strength, ultimate strength and modulus of elasticity, Compression tests.

Experiments on; Torsion to determine angle of twist, torsion testing, Bending to determine deflection, Thin cylinders.

THERMODYNAMICS AND HEAT TRANSFER

Introduction to the First Law of Thermodynamics: Heat, work and the system reversibility conservation of energy, non – flow equation, steady – flow equation. Working fluid: liquid, vapour gas, use of water tables, the perfect gas, reversible and irreversible processes: reversible – non – flow, adiabatic non-flow, polytropic, and reversible flow processes, irreversible processes, non-steady flow processes. Second Law of Thermodynamics: the heat engine, entropy the T-S diagram, entropy and irreversibility. The Heat Engine cycles carnot cycle, constant pressure cycle, air standard cycle, Otto cycle, diesel cycle and the dual combustion cycle; Stirling and Ericsson cycles. Mixtures: Dalton and Gibbs laws, gas and vapour mixtures combustion. Steam cycles; Internal combustion engines.

HYDROLOGY

The hydrological cycle, frequency analysis, drought and hydrological forecasts, flood and reservoir routing, discharge measurement (structural, non-structural methods), rating curves, hydrographs and its components, hydrograph separation techniques, reservoir capacity design, sedimentation estimation, hydrological modeling, groundwater occurrence, geological processes and formations, principles of ground water flow, methods of solution of ground water flow equations (Flow nets, Image analysis, Analytical methods), Steady well hydraulics, unsteady well hydraulics (pump tests), ground water monitoring and exploration techniques, ground water recharge and discharge.

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING Engineering principles and design of both surface and pressurised irrigation systems, design of surface and subsurface drainage systems including crop water requirements, soil moisture, irrigation scheduling, surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, tickle irrigation, pumps, pipelines irrigation canals, irrigation wells, surface and sub-surface drainage. Theories for steady and non-steady state flow problems of heavy soils, surface flow. Farm drainage – surface and sub-surface systems, open mole and pipe drainage techniques, installation, maintenance and machinery requirements.

REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY Maintenance types and their application to agricultural machinery. Total Productive maintenance. Failure mode analysis. Safety precautions to be observed when undertaking repair and maintenance tasks, defects of farm machinery, washing and disassembly, inspection and repair, measuring tools, fastening locating and locking devices. Basic repair operations, bearings and seals, lubrication, maintenance in industry, manufacturing and repair accuracy, coupling, tractor maintenance and repair. Fabrication, maintenance and repair of farm field processing machines.

SOIL MECHANICS AND CULTIVATION

This course will enable students to have an in-depth knowledge, learning, understanding and application of the fundamental principles of the physical properties, behaviour and utilisation of soils in planning foundations for dams, buildings and subgrade for highways. Topics to be taught include: Deformation and strength of bodies of soil; mechanical properties of the soil materials and the application of the knowledge of these properties to engineering problems: shear strength tests;

structure-foundation interaction of earth dams, buildings, embarkments, roads, cultivation and the manipulation of the soil to produce an environment which is satisfactory for crop development, drainage and mechanization operations in agriculture.

DESIGN & OPERATION OF PRESSURIZED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS Cropping programme; crop water requirements; systems layout; overhead systems design; micro-irrigation systems design; emission uniformity criteria in designs; pumping stations design; crop-salt tolerance; water quality; leaching requirements; bill of quantities and cost estimates; economic assessment of alternative options; irrigation agronomy; pressurized flow hydraulics.

IRRIGATION AGRONOMY The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction in the climatic, crop, soil and environmental aspects that determine the water losses of a cropped soil and in the calculation of the crop water and irrigation water requirement at field and scheme level. The following topics will normally be taught: Measurement, collection and processing of climatic data such as air temperature, air humidity, wind. Speed, solar radiation, evaporation and precipitation. Introduction to agro-meteorology. Field stations; Definition, concepts, measurements and computation of reference (ETo) and crop (ETc). Evapotranspiration under standard conditions; Definition and calculation of dependable and effective rainfall from historical rainfall data; Soil physical characteristics; Soil water content and retention, crop water uptake, Soil water movement; soil water balance. Gross and net irrigation requirement; field and scheme water supply. Irrigation depth and interval; real time scheduling; planning irrigation schedules.

INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT A student shall be attached for a minimum of eight (8) months. Students would be attached to agricultural engineering related industries. Equipment in industries of interest would include mechanisation equipment, irrigation equipment, tractor manufacture and assembly, crop storage, machinery and implement design production, shellers, threshers, milling machines, mixers, milling equipment, oil extractors, oil mill, frying equipment, handling, packaging machines, sorting and cleaning equipment, crop protection and crop dryers etc. Students would be expected to receive practical training in production/manufacturing, quality control, research and development, engineering and maintenance, human resources as well as marketing under industrial condition and supervision.

Students attached to irrigation companies would also be expected to receive practical training on irrigation and drainage system design, survey, irrigation agronomy, tendering and procurement, irrigation scheduling and water demand management, installation and commissioning, repair and maintenance, pump design and installation, marketing as well as irrigation technology information systems.

A detailed report of student experiences and activities during the period of attachment would be submitted by the student towards the end of the attachment period. During the attachment period the student is also expected to carry out an industrial project which is of relevance to their organisation. The study can either be an engineering research or a design project. The choice of project is done in close liaison with the attachment supervisor and Chinhoyi University of Technology Department of Agricultural Engineering. The industrial project report is to be submitted towards the end of the attachment period. The attachment records, reports, industrial project report, oral presentations on project at a students’ seminars and other factors as well as two

(2) on-site assessment by Chinhoyi University of Technology examiners together with industry based Supervisors’ assessments will be used for grading purposes.

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DESIGN Introduction to the engineering design, problem definition and design specification information search, idea generation and development of design concepts. Design techniques and profit management methods, safety, cost estimating, project scheduling. Time management, patents, engineering design as an iterative, parallel activity process. Understanding design as a pragmatic combination of scientific theory, technical skills, people talents and art to create solutions to problems. Philosophy of design. Components of design. Agricultural machines; types, design and functional requirements. Engineering materials. Stress and deflection analysis. Theories of failure. Design against failure. Detachable fasteners. Power screws. Shafting design. Mechanical power transmission: gear drives, belt drives, chain drives, ropes and hoists, springs. Bearings, welding, brakes, clutches and couplings. Vibrations.

PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY Short review of the development of mechanization in various branches of agriculture. Types of farm machinery and their field management and functional requirements. Farm cultural operations: clearing, tillage, planting, cultivation, fertilizer and insecticide application, harvesting. Land leveling and earth moving. Safe operation of agricultural machinery. Basic principles of operation of machines for tillage, planting and harvesting agricultural crops, adjustments and gauging. Considerations which influence designs of agricultural machines. Principles of design, construction, testing and operation of machines used for land clearing, tillage, seeding, planting, fertilizing, weed control, thinning, spraying, dusting, stalk cutting, forage harvesting, harvesting of field crops and fruits. Machinery used in major farm operations and their applicability to Zimbabwe.

AGRICULTURAL POWER

This course introduces agricultural engineering students to various forms of power required in the agricultural sector, and the ways in which the power is harnessed. Sources of the power required for agricultural operations: Solar Energy: solar thermal and its applications, solar photovoltaics, semi-conductor materials, generation of electric current by a solar cell, solar water pumping, thermal efficiency of solar systems, sizing solar energy systems, design considerations and established standards and their economic analysis. Hydropower: water energy conservation system relative efficiencies, conservation of mass and energy principles, gravity irrigation, hydraulic ram, run off river hydro power generation, turbo machinery. Wind Power: Power carried by a wind stream, Axial momentum theory, Extractable wind power (The Bertz Criterion), Wind turbines (VAWT and HAWT, Turbine load matching), the wind-driven piston water pump (Average torque and power, Matching for available wind speed, Water storage). Biomass and Biogas: design of biogas plants, Fuels; Fermentation process for ethanol production, combustion chemistry, pre-mixed combustion, diffusion flames, induction and exhaust processes. Animal power sources: desirable characteristics of draught animals, Work output from draught animals (structure of the skeletal muscle, muscle energetics, animal diet, animal tractive power, pull force), monitoring performance of draught animals (draught force, draught capacity, work output, work depth and width, total working time, total working day, elapsed working time, effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity, field efficiency, the Factorial Method for extra energy used for work).

Tractors and traction: Internal combustion engine cycles, efficiencies and operations, Turbo-chargers, power transmission systems, tractor power outlets – PTO, belt drives, hydraulics and drawbar, power requirements of agricultural machines, criteria of selection and limitations. Performance, operation and testing of agricultural power units, Electric motor selection criteria. AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES Introduction to agricultural structures. Functional planning, Farmstead planning and layout. Integrated study of farm housing – family housing, livestock housing, farm products and food storage structures. Materials of construction. Selection of materials in relation to use – steel, wood, concrete and masonry. Estimating cost of construction. Structural elements and loading. Estimating loads, stress analysis. Philosophy of design, elastic and plastic design concepts. Reinforced concrete design. Design for axial loadings. Design of beams, slabs, columns, trusses, frames and retaining walls and foundations. Elements of construction - Footings and Foundations, Walls, floors, roofs etc. Environmental consideration in design - Heat transfer, thermal resistance and solar heat load. Psychrometry, air moisture temperature balance. Ventilation and cooling. Humidity control and insulation. Design for livestock operations. Design of storage structures. Design of sundry farm buildings - Farm workshop, Machinery storage, Fuel and chemical storage, Greenhouse. Design of farm residences.

SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ENGINEERING

This course will enable students to have an in-depth knowledge, skills, learning, understanding and application of the fundamental principles of soil and water conservation engineering. Topics to be covered include: The soil erosion system; water erosion; wind erosion; Classes, types and forms of soil erosion. Classification, processes, factors, analysis and measurements of water erosion and wind erosion. Engineering principles of soil and water conservation: erosion control, soil conservation planning. soil water and nutrient conservation; soil management and reclamation; open channel flow, principles, hydraulic grade stabilization, storm water management, design of structures for floodwater routing, culvert design, design of water ways and agricultural reservoirs stream bank protection.

PUMP TECHNOLOGY

Introduction to pumps; types of agricultural/irrigation pumps and their description; pump characteristic curves; pump selection; pump arrangement. Cavitation and its consequences; water hammer phenomenon; speed variation. Total dynamic head; net positive suction head; pump power units; pump optimization of pumping units. Motor selection and operating problems; pump maintenance; pump stations and their selection.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND STATISTICS

Population and Sampling Methods, Research Methods and Sampling Instruments; Introduction to experimental designs (engineering and biological), collection, summarization and analysis of data. Comparisons of means, data transformations and analysis of covariance. Interpretation and inference of results by use of statistical methods, analysis of variance : one-, two-, and multiple factor experiments.

Regression, correlation, multivariate regression and testing for goodness of fit and independence. Application of ststistical packages (e.g., SPSS, GENSTAT, SAS) and spreadsheets (e.g., EXCEL) for data entry, analysis and interpretation. Quality control: control charts, tolerences, upper and lower limits, control charts for fraction defects and number of defects. Random numbers, introduction to the Monte Carlo Simulation. Analysis of measurements: calibration steps and biases, variability in measurement and graphical methods for analysis and measurement. Life cycle tests and reliability in engineering: population types-repairable and non-rapairable, accelerated testing, models and population distribution, predictions of reliability. Use of engineering drawings and illustrations in research. Guidelines for research project report.

AGRO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP The course focuses on the operation and management of the Agricultural Business. The basic economic and business principles governing profitable and sustainable farm and agro-business operations are emphasized. The course covers the definition of agro-entrepreneurship; agro business management and operations; functions of management; agro-business structure flow; and product description worksheets. Marketing, market analysis and marketing plan; marketing review; demand analysis, forecasting, budgeting and economic decision making principles. Financing of agro-enterprises, the financial plan, break-even analysis, sensitivity analysis, financial ratios, accounting information systems, and budgeting. Staffing and personnel issues in agro-enterprises, managing and supervising employees in agro-business; preparing the agro-business plan, techniques in managing a successful agro-business. RESEARCH PROJECT Student should identify problems within the agricultural engineering industry, and propose to solve them. The project should be either of design, experimental, theoretical, computational or analytical, or interdisciplinary in nature. Emphasis should be on critical and creative thinking; the student should be able to apply the knowledge and skills developed during the teaching semesters. The students will be assisted to go through the practical design process, fabrication and testing of prototypes. Students will be taught scientific writing that can be useful for their further study and academic publications. The areas that will be covered, among other things include: title formulation, aims and objectives formulation, hypothesis and research questions formulation, gathering background to the study, literature reviewing, research methodology, results analysis, discussion of results, deducing conclusions from results, making recommendations, referencing and poster presentation. In addition students will be taught to write abstracts. The course will have at least three presentations of the research work to the panel. Students will also be encouraged to publish their findings after completing the course. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY MANAGEMENT

Selection of matched components of power units and machines for farming operations. Selection of machinery to suit the performance requirement of various agricultural operations under Zimbabwean conditions. Considering constraints such as crops, season, weather, personnel and capital, apply systems techniques such as linear programming, optimisation, queuing theory and inventory models, utilize available software programmes and learn to develop electronic spreadsheets and other customised software. Machine performance, costs of machine use.

SURFACE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

Water abstraction systems; conveyance and storage systems; open channel hydraulics; pressurized water flow hydraulics; water quality; phases of surface irrigation; soil water intake families approach in soils evaluation for surface irrigation systems; surface irrigation methods; deep percolation and run-off modeling; in-field canal structures; bill of quantities; economic evaluation of alternative designs

ANIMAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Animal production systems; housing, feeding systems and general management practices, Anatomy and physiology of draught animals; draught power technology; Application of engineering techniques to animal production systems and product processing; Animal manipulative skills and technologies.

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Decision analysis and network analysis. Agriculture and rural development projects; Project concept; project cycle, project identification, formulation and design, project review and appraisal; logical framework (Logframe), concept of cost-benefit analysis; financial analysis at farm and project level. Risk and uncertainty. Procurement procedures and managing contracts; Project control, Monitoring and evaluation; project report writing, quality management. Stakeholder roles and responsibilities. Case studies.

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Definitions, Attributes and property characteristics of water, Functions of water, Strategic issues in water management, Dublin principles, Integrated water resources management, Stakeholder participation, Water scarcity and concept of virtual water, Sustainability and intergenerational equity, Water harvesting, Water using activities (Environmental flow requirements, Agriculture, Hydroelectric power, Domestic and industrial), Water demand projections, Population growth models, Principles of water allocation, Water resources, Legal and institutional issues in water management, Zimbabwe water law and policy, International rivers, SADC protocol on shared water courses, Water economics (Water supply and demand, price-elasticity of demand of water, demand management, water pricing), Water quality management.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS This course introduces students to the manipulation and analysis of spatial or geographic data for decision-making. The following topics are normally covered: Introduction to GIS, Applications, Software and hardware, Sources of GIS data, Global positioning systems, Introduction to remote sensing, Data models, Raster and Vector, Data Input, Digitizing, Data quality, Data Output, Geodatabases, Cartography, Map projections, Geoprocessing, Data queries, Spatial analysis, Cartographic modeling. Applications of GIS to irrigation development: suitability assessment, bill of quantities.

AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION Agricultural/farm processing equipment – Grinding, Cutting, Mixing and residue disposal. Material handling. Special crop machines. Machinery selection. Special farm and ranch equipment. Dairy machinery. Grain drying theory and practice – Sun drying and mechanical drying, thin layer and deep bed drying, Psychrometry and air movement, Design of drying systems (Driers) and

equipment. Oil extraction technology - Steps involved in oil extraction, Special processing, Recent techniques in oil seed mill.

AGRICULTURAL TRACTORS

Tractors and their internal combustion power units used on farms, principles of operation, horsepower measurements, maintenance and adjustments of the electrical ignition, fuel, lubricating and cooling system. Constructional features and operation of tractor engines. Design of spark ignition and compression ignition engines. The tractor power transmission system. Tractor design and constructional features, stability analysis/mechanics of farm tractor chassis. Traction theory, human factors in tractor design and utilization, the tractor hydraulic system. Tractor selection, utilization and preventive maintenance. Turbo-charging. Tractor power cost estimation.

WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND USE Water attributes, quality, conflicts. Wastes, characterization, classification, handling, disposal. Wastewater characterization; Introduction to wastewater treatment; Pre-treatment and primary treatment processes; Secondary treatment processes; Stochiometry and kinetics of biological reactions; Tertiary treatment processes; Sludge treatment, handling and disposal.

RECLAMATION OF DEGRADED LANDS This course aims to provide students with a better understanding of the processes and forms of land degradation and offers practical solutions to these challenges. Forms and causes of land degradation, impacts on economy and society. Legal and policy issues. Assessment of land degradation, methods and tools. Carrying capacity. Land impacted by floods, fires, desertification. Soil erosion and soil conservation. Siltation of water resources. Intergrated catchment management. Traffic and soil compaction, surface crusting and sealing. Plough pans. Salinity and sodicity. Soil acidity. Acid mine drainage. Metal toxicity. Reclamation methods. Case studies. Industrial bio-solids and effluent disposal, biological impacts, remediation.

PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRIAL STUDIES Professional practice and contract law: background and development of the engineering profession, education of engineers, post graduation training, advancement to full professional status, engineering ethics, the running of a professional practice, relationships with employers, clients, consultants, contract law in agri-business, contractors and sub-contractors, engineer’s responsibility to the public for safety and preservation of the environment, general conditions of contract, sureties, bonds for performance, bill of quantities, tender assessment, awarding of contracts, form of agreement, settlement of disputes, mediation and arbitration, an introduction to the law in Zimbabwe and the operation of relevant acts of parliament with particular emphasis on occupational hazards and ensuring safe working conditions on site and in the factory. Engineering Management: human resources management; behavioural view of management, motivation, theory x, theory y, scientific management, job enrichment, delegation, decision making, quality circles, management by objectives, decision processes, optimising, measuring the quality of decisions, marketing. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT History and development of environmental impact assessment (EIA); legal framework for EIA in Zimbabwe; EIA procedures, scoping, impact identification, prediction and analysis, developing

environmental management plans, mitigation measures, implementation, monitoring and auditing. Analysis of the shortcomings of the EIA process.

CONTROL SYSTEMS Feedback control systems, Mathematical modeling dynamic systems. Block diagrams, signal flow graphs. Control system characteristics. Time-Domain specifications. Transient response effects of Pole-Zero. Steady-state, error analysis stability of linear control systems. Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion. Root-Locus method. Frequency response. Bode plots, Nyquist stability criterion, relative stability. Gain margin and phase margin stability analysis. Constant M and N loci, Nichols chart, controller configurations. Control system design. State-space methods. Controllability and observability. THEORY OF MECHANISMS AND MACHINES

Structural analysis of mechanisms; degrees of freedom, kinematic pairs, plane mechanisms, space mechanisms. Kinematic analysis of mechanisms; kinematics of plane linkage mechanisms, cam, gears, space mechanisms. Dynamic analysis: forces in mechanisms, friction and inertia forces, balancing, flywheel claculations. Introduction to system stability.

ELECTRIFICATION FOR AGRICULTURE Electricity as a power source on the farm lighting, farm production and processing. Planning the farmstead distribution system. Demand load for farm buildings and workshops, central metering and distribution, capacity of main service. Selecting feeder conductors. Electric central and circuit protection. Electric motor selection and control. Electrical safety on the farm. Lightning protection for homes and farm buildings. Care and maintenance of electrical farm installations and machines- hatcheries, milking machines, feedmills, etc. Stand-by power units; purpose and importance, stand-by power generators types, selection, maintenance and operation.