Under this programme we hope to introduce one certificate course and one diploma course in Agro-Biodiversity with blended learning technique.
The certificate program consists of course work and guided independent studies. Minimum requirement of certificate is 30 course credits 30 which is equivalent to 1500 notional hours. According to the guidelines in the Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (September, 2015), Ministry of Higher Education, to ensure the thorough understanding together with critical awareness of current issues in the subject area of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management and Development and to apply relevant knowledge and skill to their professional practice course units are classified in to two categories; compulsory core courses, elective and optional courses.
One credit unit is defined as fifteen hours of teaching, thirty hours of practical work or a combination of theory and practical subjected to the approval of faculty board of the Faculty of Agriculture and the Senate of the University of Ruhuna. According to the SLQF framework, one credit is considered as 50 notional hours which include time consumption for assignments, homework, reading, practical, independent studies etc.
Courses
- Advanced Certificate in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management (SLQF Level II)
- Diploma in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management (SLQF Level III)
Teaching Mode
The course is designed to launch through the DCEU of the University of Ruhuna. A variety of delivery methods will be used as the teaching and learning process. The course modules for the each course unit will be prepared by the resource persons who are the experts in the relevant subject areas. The resource persons will be the staff of University of Ruhuna, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and a few who are working in other government and non-government organizations.
As the course is a Distance Learning Programme, following methods will be used to deliver the course.
Open distance learning materials: Web Materials, Printed materials
Virtual practical classes: Demo videos, Assignments, Quizzes (web based, LMS)
Video Conferences
Field Visits: Site visits, On-site Practical
Video on demand (VOD): View, Download
Assignments/Reports: Online uploads, Paper based handover
Online Quizzes: LMS/Moodle
Mini Projects: Individual
Field practical and Virtual laboratory practical through Simulation models
Evaluation
Courses shall be evaluated on the basis of assignments, seminars, mid course exam and end-course examination. Maximum and minimum limits of each course will be changed based on the nature of the course. However, the minimum marks for the end course examination shall be 50% and the end-course examinations will be conducted by the DCEU at selected centers throughout the country.
Limitations of the marks for each component;
| Criterion | Maximum | Minimum |
| End Semester Examination | 80% | 50% |
| Mid Semester Examination | 25% | —– |
| Practical / field Work | 25% | —– |
| Assignments / Seminars | 25% | —— |
| Oral Examinations (End Semester) | 10% | —— |
| Term papers / Review reports | 20% | —— |
Grades and Grade points shall be assigned for each course according to the following table.
| Marks (%) (Out of 100) | Grade | Points |
| ≥85 | A+ | 4.0 |
| 80 – 84 | A | 4.0 |
| 75 – 79 | A- | 3.7 |
| 70 – 74 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 65 – 69 | B | 3.0 |
| 60 – 64 | B- | 2.7 |
| 55 – 59 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 50 – 54 | C | 2.0 |
| 45 – 49 | C- | 1.7 |
| 40 – 44 | D+ | 1.3 |
| 35-39 | D | 1.0 |
| 40> | F | 0 |
Overall Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated using the formula;
GPA = ∑ CiGi / ∑ Ci
Where Ci is the number of credits for theith course
Gi is the grade point obtain for the ithcourse
The student should maintain the GPA at the level of 2.0 or above. The student should repeat the courses which he/she got less than D grade at the next earliest opportunity and the students can obtain a maximum of B- grade. If the student has obtained C-, D+ or D grades for a course, the student has alternatives either to repeat the course and or to keep the grade as it is ifthe student can maintain the minimum GPA requirement.
For the directed study, an advisor / a mentor will be appointed by the Board of Agriculture of DCEU. The directed study may be literature survey of particular area, study of current issue, analysis of relevant field using secondary of primary data, development of models, development of software, survey or any other assignment with the agreement of the advisor. After completion of the directed study, the student should conduct a seminar and should be submitted a report. The directed study will be evaluated in following marking scheme.
| Component | Marks |
| Proposal | 20 % – 25 % |
| Advisors’ evaluation reports, ( Laboratory / field evaluation. etc.) | 25 % – 50 % |
| Evaluation of final draft report | 40 % – 50 % |
| Total | 100 % |
After completion of the required number of course credits subjected to requirements of core courses and optional courses the student will be offered the Advance Certificate / Diploma if the student is achieved GPA of 2.00..