MSc Course

The tentative time table for the 2005-07 MSc is given below. The details will be finalized during the SC meeting on 6 March.

Date	Credits	Courses	Course leader	Location
1.8-20.8	3	PRA methodologies	Dr Man Dr B. Antonsson-Ogle	Nong Lam
22.8- 17.9	4	Computers, miniprojects, statistical analysis and experimental design	Dr Preston Dr Xe	LRC, Lao
19.9-22.10	5	Biological basis of biomass production and utilisation analytical methods (ruminants) Large ruminant production systems	Dr Wanapat (3) Dr Preston (1) Dr Leng (1)	Khon Kaen
24.10-5.11	2	Farming systems research methodology	Dr Anan Dr Mrs Pakapun Dr Charan	Luang Prabang Laos
7.11-12.11	1	Upland farming systems	Dr Choke Mikled	Luang Prabang Laos,
14.11-18.11		BSAS / AHAT meeting in Khon Kaen	Dr Wanapat Dr Rowlinson	Khon Kaen
21.11-26.11	1	Range management	Dr Ledin	Phan Rang, Vietnam
28.11-10.12	2	Small ruminant production systems	Dr Ledin, Dr Mui, Dr Binh Mr Hao, Mrs Van	Phan Rang, Vietnam
12.12-24.12	2	Animal traction	Dr Thu, Dr Pearson	Bavi
26.12-31.12	1	Agroforestry	Dr Nguyen Van So	Bavi
5.1-11.1	1	Biological basis (monogastrics)	Dr Ogle, Dr Ngoan	Hué
12.1-25.1	2	Pig and poultry production	Dr Ogle, Dr Ngoan, Dr Phuc, Dr Dong, Dr Men	Hué
26.1-12.2		Tet
13.2-18.2	1	Renewable energy	Dr Preston Dr Khang	Cambodia
20.2-25.2	1	Aquaculture	Dr Le Thanh Hung	An Giang
27.2-3.3	1	Soil-plant-animal interactions	Dr Tinh Dr S.Ledin	Cantho
6.3-10.3		MSc presentations		Nong Lam

Course 1. Participatory rural appraisal methodologies. 3 credits. Level D.

The students carry out participatory rural appraisal exercises in villages in areas where the host institutions have ongoing related research projects.

Course 2: Use of micro-computors for recording, analysis and presentation oJ research data. 2 credits. Level A.

Each student is provided with a lap-top computer and appropriate software for personal use during the duration of the course. The students learn to use the different software programmes that are appropriate for recording, analysis, presentation and publishing of their research.

Course 3: Statistical analysis and experimental design. 2 credits. Level A.

Students become familiar with procedures for analysis of data by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and covariance, correlation and regression, non-linear parameters and transformations.

Trends in production and use of energy derived from fossil and renewable sources are discussed with emphasis on needs, uses and opportunities for agricultural production. The topics for discussion include biodigesters (biogas), solar systems (electricity and water heating), windmills and mini-hydro (electricity), gasifiers and gas turbines (cogeneration of electricity and heat) and fuel cells (electricity).

Course 5: Biological basis of biomass production and utilization by livestock. 5 credits. Level C.

· Sources of livestock feeds (high biomass crops, crop residues and agro-industrial byproducts, trees and water plants) and the factors influencing their nutritive value for all classes of livestock;

· Digestive physiology and metabolism of herbivore and monogastric animal species; Requirements for nutrient according to productive function;

Feeding and management of draft animals with many farm visits and an emphasis on practical aspects.

Emphasis is on the role of livestock as a means of maintaining / improving soil fertility and plant growth through recycling of manure and its transformation into nutrient-rich effluent (by biodigesters) and humus (by earthworms).

Course 8: Small ruminant livestock production systems. 2 credits. Level C.

Smallholder production systems for sheep and goats are discussed with particular attention to feeding and management strategies and the opportunities for control of parasites in “cut-and-carry” systems integrated with agro-forestry.

This course will discuss the opportunities for integration of small ruminant livestock with commercial tree crops such as Rubber, African Oil Palm and Coconuts, with field trips to estates in Malaysia.

Evolution of agricultural and farming systems research and the recent emphasis on farmer's knowledge, farmer's research and experimentation and farmer's participatory research. The course is based on the views and experience of the course participants and the course facilitator.

Traditional “slash and burn” farming systems are discussed in the light of pressures on land which have made these unsustainable. Farming systems based on agro-forestry principles are described as the sustainable alternative.

Course 12: Large ruminant nutrition and production systems. 2 credits. Level C

Smallholder beef, dairy and dual-purpose systems, in particular feeding and management strategies in zero-grazing systems in high potential areas in Asia based on crop residues and agro-industrial by-products, and also peri-urban systems.

The general agronomic principles of agroforestry. Use of multipurpose trees for fodder, fuel and mulch in integrated small-holder farmer systems

Basic principles of range ecology, range resource assessment including the concept of carrying capacity, range management techniques (traditional and modern), pastoral systems, nutritional value of range vegetation and possibilities to improve.

Course 15: Poultry and pig nutrition & production systems. 2 credits. Level C.

Smallholder pig and poultry systems, in particular feeding and management strategies based on the sustainable use of renewable natural resources for monogastrics. The relationship between village pig and poultry systems and other components of the farming system, e.g. fish-duck-rice system, peri-urban systems.

The integration of smallholder aquaculture with livestock, including the role of biodigesters and emphasizing the environmental and socio-economic aspects of these integrated systems.

A re-examination of the role of genetic improvement practices in the context of integrated farming systems for small-holder farmers. Emphasis is given to use of local ecotypes of livestock according to the nature of the farming system.

The physiology of reproduction with emphasis on small livestock species and interactions with nutrition, disease and the environment.

Research plans for the thesis work are gradually developed and the proposals are presented and discussed by the group of students and facilitators.