Overview
The Department of Agricultural Engineering currently has three sections. These are:
1. Soil and Water Engineering
2. Machine Systems Engineering
3. Post-Harvest Engineering
Soil and Water Engineering, which includes irrigation engineering deals with soil and water conservation and management, climate changes, soil-plant-water relations, different types of irrigation, irrigation design and management.
Machine Systems Engineering is the area of Agricultural Engineering which deals with agricultural production machinery and agro-processing machinery design, manufacture, testing and maintenance. It also embraces engineering materials, machine-crop and machine-soil interactions.
Post-harvest engineering is the application of engineering principles and machinery to agricultural products and industrial raw materials after they have been harvested. This includes crop handling and storage and crop and food processing and their accompanying machinery.
Aims & Objectives
Master of Engineering and Master of Philosophy (MEng & MPhil)
The main aim of the proposed graduate programme is to provide training in Agricultural Engineering. Specifically, the programme will:
1. Train graduates to apply their technical expertise in solving engineering problems and apply their skills in designing components, systems, and processes related to the food and agriculture industries.
2. Support graduates to acquire skills that can be used in the analysis and development of agricultural systems, and skills to quantify physical and biological processes in food and agriculture.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The general goals and objectives of Agricultural Engineering training is in consonance with the realization of national needs and aspirations vis-à-vis industrial development and technological emancipation. The training provides the academic standards required to meet these needs and to produce graduates with sufficient academic background and practical experience who would be able to rise to the challenges of a developing economy. The primary objectives of the PhD programme in Agricultural Engineering are to:
- advance knowledge through the conduct of basic, applied and adaptive research, to solve practical problems and to generate new technologies.
- produce quality and competent professionals in Agricultural Engineering.
- increase or protect agricultural production by providing a suitable environment for growth, harvesting, processing, transportation and storage.
- maintain or change the natural characteristics of biological products for a particular use.
- reduce the physical drudgery and provide desirable amenities for agricultural workers.
Tuition Method
Lectures, group assignments, case studies/reviews, class presentations, project work, field visits and seminars.
Entry Requirement
MEng & MPhil
Students applying for admission to MEng/MPhil Agricultural Engineering must have obtained a good first degree, at least second-class lower division in Agricultural Engineering or related disciplines from the University of Ghana or any other recognized University.
PhD
A good master’s degree (with thesis) in the field of Agricultural Engineering or a related discipline from an internationally recognized university or institution will be required for admission. A candidate will be required to submit a research proposal for assessment before admission. An interview will also be conducted by the department before admission.