The Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering is one of the five (5) departments that were established in October 1990 to form the present School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, (SEET). The Department started with three Assistant lecturers who were employed on the 6th October, 1988, 24th July, 1991 and 18th October, 1991 respectively, even though one out of the three was on full time fellowship. The department took-off in the 1990/91 Session with two staff on ground and employing series of part-time lecturers, with 13 students at 100Level. In the 1991/92 Session, a Russian Professor who specialized in Farm Power and Machinery was employed. Subsequently, one lecturer II was employed in the 1992/93 Session and two graduate assistants in 1993/94 Session. Four more graduate assistants were employed in 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99 and 2000/2001 sessions, respectively. At present, the department has a total academic strength, (Permanent Staff) of thirteen (13) out of which, one (1) Professor, three (3) Associate Professor, Two (Senior Lecturer) Six(6) Lecturer I, one (1) Graduate Assistant and two (2) Visiting Professors. The department also has one (1) Chief Technologist, one (1) Principal Technologist, one (1) Technologist II, one (1) Tractor Operator, one (1) Secretary, and one (1) Caretaker. The Department has five (5) arms of classes from 100 levels to 500 levels. The total student enrolment is 95 with 22 at 100 level, 23 at 200 level, 18 at 300 level, 13 students at 400 level and 19 at 500 level. The Department is also running a post-graduate programme in Farm Power and Machinery and Soil and Water Engineering. The Department has graduated above one hundred and eighty two (182) B. Eng. students from inception to 2012/2013 session. Also, at Postgraduate level, twenty five (25) M. Eng. Students and one (1) Ph.D) student have graduated from 2001/2002 session to date.

The general aim of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering in training is to be in consonance with the realization of national developmental requirements and aspiration in terms of food security, industrial development and technological emancipation. Hitherto to produce engineering graduates that are well grounded in technological innovations, base on sufficient academic background and practical experiences to be able to rise to challenges of a developing economy. Such graduates would be to resourceful, creative, knowledgeable and be able to perform various functions that include• to design engineering projects and supervise their construction; • To design and make components, machines, equipment and systems • To design and develop new products and production techniques in industries,• To install and maintain complex engineering systems so that they can perform optimally in our environment. • To transfer innovations and technology in order to solve local engineering problems. • To be able to exercise original thought, have good professional judgment and be able to take responsibility for the direction of important tasks. • To be able to manage people, fund, materials and equipment• To improve on indigenous technology to enhance local problems solving capability. The programme in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering is designed to produce graduates with bachelors degree in Engineering (B. Eng., Agric.), who are capable of applying fundamental engineering principles to solve problems involving Agricultural mechanisation, crop production, crop/food processing and storage, irrigation, farm structures, farm electrification, soil and water conservation, erosion control, environmental pollution control, water supply and drainage.

The graduate engineer should be capable of designing, constructing, evaluating, operating, maintaining and repairing of farm equipment, machinery, processing and storage equipment and farm structure. Entrepreneurship training is also provided for the period of six months during the second semester of their 400 level, so that the Agricultural Engineer can optimally utilize resources at his disposal by virtue of his/her training and experience gained from the field/industries. This will enable them to be excellent managers of farm and agricultural businesses. He/ She will be capable of adapting foreign agricultural techniques to their local environment.

Undergraduate Admission Requirement:WASC/GCE ‘O’ Level/SSSC with credit passes in 5 appropriate subjects including English Language and Mathematics obtained in not more than two (2) sittings. In addition the above qualification(s), a candidate must pass the Joint Matriculation Examination (JME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the University Screening Test organized by the University. DIRECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (YEAR II) For direct entry admission, a candidate must have any of the following qualifications: (i)HSC/GCE ‘A’ Level passes in a minimum of two (2) relevant subjects plus at least credit level passes in WASC/GCE ‘O’ Level/SSSC in a minimum of three (3) subjects including English Language, in not more than two (2) sittings. (ii)HSC/GCE ‘A’ Level passes in three (3) relevant subjects plus credit level passes in WASC/GCE ‘O’Level/SSC in a minimum of two (2) other subjects (including English Language) at not more than two (2) sittings. (iii)OND/ND/UD (upper credit certificates) for admission to Year II provided that requirements through JME are also satisfied. (iv)Relevant HND for admission to year three (3).

Postgraduate Programme

(i)Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Science Candidate seeking admission into the Postgraduate Diploma programme should possess either second class (Lower Division) Bachelors degree in a non-agricultural based discipline or a third class/pass degree in Animal Sciences or a lower credit HND/NND or equivalent qualification in relevant fields earned from Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics or similar institutions recognized by the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. (ii)Master of Science The minimum qualification shall be a second class (Lower Division) Bachelors degree or a good PGD (B. grade average pass) in Animal Science. (iii)Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) 1.The candidate must possess M.Sc with thesis or M.Phil in Animal Science from this University or any other recognized University. In addition, the candidate would have obtained a B.Sc degree (B.Agric, B.Sc) at second class (Lower Division) from this or any other recognized University. 2.Candidate with HND background, with higher qualification may be considered for admission.

Duration

Minimum passing grade for all courses taken by a postgraduate student is a grade of ‘C’ with a GPA of 4.0 (“B” Average) per semester. To graduate, a student must obtain not less than 24 units of core courses with a “B” average in relevant graduate level courses offered in the Department. This is in addition to the research project for which at least a “B” grade must also be obtained.