The Department of Agribusiness Management
During the first and second years of study, students are required to take courses offered by the Department of Agribusiness Management, with the option to specialize in this area during the third and fourth years. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects related to financial accounting, agricultural economics, customer behaviour and marketing management, providing students with extensive knowledge in these areas.
Key courses in Agricultural Economics, such as Quantitative Techniques for Business, Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, and Entrepreneurship Development, equip students with practical skills necessary for succeeding as small or medium-scale business owners in the agricultural sector. By acquiring such knowledge and skills, students are able to build their professional identity and grow their abilities.
Given the current economic conditions, many individuals are opting to meet their daily food needs through home gardening. As an agriculture specialist, students are equipped with the necessary knowledge to turn this into a viable business opportunity, earning income through organic farming. With comprehensive understanding and proficiency in the food manufacturing, business, and processing sector, students are well-positioned to achieve their goals.
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The Department of Biotechnology
Within the Sri Lankan university system, the study of biotechnology is exclusively offered as a separate department within the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agriculture program at Wayamba University. As a result, the Department of Biotechnology holds a unique position among other departments.
Students who elect to specialize in Biotechnology will have the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge technologies and interesting subjects that cover all aspects of the field. The Biotechnology Department provides in-depth instruction on subjects such as Microbiology, Plant Tissue Culture, Biochemistry, and Environmental Biotechnology, among others.
In the third year of study, students can expand their knowledge by taking courses such as Genetic Engineering, Allergy & Immunology, Molecular Genetics & Genomics, Molecular Breeding, and Bioinformatics. In the fourth year, students can focus on molecular-level applications of nanotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and plant pathology. Both theoretical and practical experience in all of these subjects can be readily obtained.
Given the abundance of practical knowledge available, biotechnology provides a powerful tool for succeeding in the field of agriculture. Advances in tissue culture technology, new disease-resistant and insect-resistant plant varieties, and high-yielding crops have greatly enhanced agriculture in recent years, and biotechnology has been instrumental in making these discoveries possible. As a subject that is constantly evolving with new discoveries and technologies, biotechnology presents a wealth of employment opportunities.
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The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening
The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening consists of two sections, namely Landscape Horticulture and Postharvest Horticulture. The Landscape Horticulture curriculum covers all aspects of landscaping and landscape design, while the Postharvest Horticulture curriculum provides extensive knowledge about post-harvest technology and food science.
Both sections share some significant subjects, such as Commercial Vegetable Production, Commercial Fruit Production, Medicinal and Herbal Plant Production, Commercial Floriculture and Ornamental Leaf Plant Production, Urban Agriculture, and Edible Landscaping. These subjects provide fundamental knowledge for starting one's own business, whether on a large or small scale.
Given the current emphasis on organic agriculture, the success of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening in promoting organic agriculture is critical. Therefore, the study of horticulture can provide individuals with the necessary tools to contribute to the future of Sri Lankan agriculture.
In summary, through the pursuit of horticulture and landscaping studies, individuals can become well-equipped to play a vital role in the future of Sri Lankan agriculture.
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The Department of Plantation Management
The Department of Plantation Management within the Faculty of Agriculture is a critical department that imparts scientific knowledge and practical skills in various fields. The department comprises two divisions, namely Plantation Resource Management and Plantation Product Development.
In the third year of study, students are required to take general courses related to both product development and resource management, providing a comprehensive understanding of various plantation crops, including Tea, Rubber, and Coconut. Students specializing in Plantation Resource Management can also gain expertise in Estate & Financial Management, Advanced Irrigation Management, Climate Change, Carbon Accounting, and Precision Agriculture. Meanwhile, students in the Plantation Product Development division can study Cleaner Production, Food Safety & Health Aspects, Waste Management, Value Addition in Tea, Rubber-Based Product Development, and Trends in Coconut Product Development.
The Department of Plantation Management also covers additional fields, such as Agriculture Engineering, Farm Machinery, and Animal Science, alongside topical subjects such as Organic Agriculture, Environmental GIS, Land Survey & Levelling, Green Technology, and Marketing & Quality Management.
One notable aspect of the Plantation Management curriculum is its emphasis on practical knowledge, which is imparted through numerous field visits. The department provides students with excellent career prospects in a diverse range of fields, enabling them to contribute positively to the future of the world.
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The Department of Bio System Engineering
The Department of Biosystems Engineering is the only department that has been established under a public university in Sri Lanka in connection with a faculty of agriculture.
Under that department, one of the best degrees offered by a state university is the Biosystems Technology (Honours) degree in science. This program is an extensive four-year honours course that provides students with practical exposure, as well as comprehensive knowledge across a diverse range of subject areas. The curriculum encompasses various subject profiles, including Food Technology, Food Development, Food Quality Management, JAVA, HTML, Arduino, Environment Technology, Waste Management, Climate & Disaster management, Electronic Technologies, and Microbiology.
The Biosystems Technology (Honours) degree course is designed to produce highly skilled professionals with both theoretical and practical knowledge. The program's emphasis on new technical knowledge and theories enables graduates to become successful entrepreneurs and effective problem solvers in their respective fields. The course produces individuals who possess the ability to approach their work with creativity and precision.
In summary, the B.BST(Hons) degree course offered by the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management is highly recommended for those seeking to become technical scientists with extensive knowledge and practical experience, who are well-equipped to contribute to the future development of Sri Lanka.
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