Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) Degree in Rural Development
Preamble
These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Faculty Regulations and General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degree Programmes which have precedence over Departmental Regulations.
The student who has started a programme following one set of regulations will not be affected by regulations adopted subsequently unless agreed to in writing by the student.
The Senate has the authority to exempt a student from any of these regulations.
Entry Requirements
Normal Entry
At least five (5) ‘O’ level passes with Grade C or better including English Language.
At least two (2) ‘A’ Level passes
Special Entry
A candidate who does not meet normal entry requirements may subject to the approval of the Senate be admitted to a programme on special grounds.
Mature Entry
Shall be obtained by applicants who have five (5) ‘O’ levels including English Language and have a demonstrable work experience during the last five years before the academic year in which admission is sought, and aged 25 years and above. They may be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability for University education.
Structure of the Programme
Duration
The normal duration of the BSc Honours Degree in Rural Development shall be four (4) years.
Degree Structure
The Degree follows a 1.1.1.1 structure.
Each student will be required to take a minimum of forty-two 42 modules in accordance with the following breakdown:
At part one a student shall register for a minimum of fourteen (14) modules.
At part two a student shall register for at least 12 modules.
At part three a student shall register for two (2) double modules and is required to spend a minimum of 10 months on work related learning experience.
At Part four a student shall register for a minimum of twelve (12) modules.
A module shall be taught in at least thirty-six (36) contact hours a semester.
Not all optional modules may be on offer at any one given time.
New modules may be added from time to time.
Part I Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD101 Introduction to Rural Development
HRD102 Aspects of Agrarian Studies
HRD 103 Rural Layout Design
HCESDM101 Communication Skills
BHS110 Introduction to Zimbabwean Cultures & Heritage
HRD104 Principles of Surveying
HRD105 Rural-Urban Linkages
Part I Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD106 Rural Settlement Analysis
HRD107 Agricultural Development, Research and Extension
HRD108 Rural Enterprises, Projects and Development
HRD109 Rural Amenities Design
BAC101 African Philosophy and Thought
HRD110 Introduction to Planning and Development
HRD111 Principles of Economics
Part II Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD201 Rural Development Thought and Practice
HRD202 Water Resources Management
HRD203 Project Planning & Management I
HRMSP206 Research Methods and Statistics
Optional Modules
A student may choose any two (2) modules from the following:
Code Module Description
HRD204 Principles of Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing
HRD205 Rural Energy Technologies
HRD206 Gender and Rural Development
Part II Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD207 Development Theory
HRD208 Disaster Management
HRD209 Land use Planning
HRD210 Planning Theory
Optional Modules
A student may choose any two (2) modules from the following:
Code Module Description
HRD211 Rural Tourism
HRD212 Environmental Impact Assessment
HRD213 Infrastructural Planning
Part III
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD301 Work Related Learning Report
HRD302 Continuous Work Related Learning Assessment
Part IV Semester I
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD401 Rural Poverty and Livelihoods
HRD402 Land Economics and Valuation
HRD403 Rural Institutions and Production Systems
HRD404 Resettlement Planning and Management
Optional Modules
A student may choose any two (2) modules from the following:
Code Module Description
HRD405 Rural Development Finance
HRD406 Integrated Rural Development
HRD407 Development Planning Law
HRD408 Rural Industrialization
Part IV Semester II
Core Modules
Code Module Description
HRD409 Research Project
HRD410 Project Planning and Management II
HRD411 Social Policy and Development
HRD412 Local Governance and Development
Optional Modules
A student may choose any two (2) modules from the following:
Code Module Description
HRD413 Regional Development
HRD414 Non-state Actors in Rural Development
HRD415 Rural Housing
HRD416 Rural Development and the Environment
HRD417 Migration and Development
Assessment
To be admitted to an examination a candidate must have been registered for that module with the University and completed the module work in accordance with the General Academic Regulations.
Each module in the programme is assessed on the basis of a three (3) hour written examination and by module work undertaken during the period of study.
The Research Project must be completed and submitted for examination by end of the semester in which the module is taken. Usually the Research Project submission date will be announced by the Department before the start of the final examinations.
Weighting
Each taught module shall be given a percentage mark. The weighting shall be:
Modulework 30%
Examination 70%
Determination of Results
To successfully complete a part a candidate must pass all the modules examined in the two semesters of that Part.
A candidate who fails one (1) or two (2) modules in Part I or Part II may be allowed to proceed to the next Part carrying the failed module(s).
A carried module may be repeated when next on offer.
A candidate who fails three (3) or more modules in Part I or Part II shall be deemed to have failed that Part and may be allowed to repeat the failed modules in that Part.
A candidate who fails one or two modules within the supplementable range in Part 1V will be allowed to sit for a supplementary examination. A candidate who fails a supplementary examination within the supplementable range may be allowed to repeat the module when next on offer.
A candidate who fails a supplementary examination below the supplementable range may be asked to withdraw.
No candidate will be allowed to carry a Part I module to Part 1V.
The results for each examination shall be published in accordance with the provisions of the General Academic Regulations.
Degree Classification
The final classification for the degree shall be calculated by averaging Part II, Part
III and Part 1V module marks.