D.A. Yobera and P.N. Kurji
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi
P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
E-mail: d.yobera@cgiar.org
The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Nairobi offers a variety of courses in agricultural research and study. Research scientists in all disciplines require biometric input in their work. The main types of research for which this is required are on-station and on-farm studies and field and laboratory experiments. There are four biometricians employed on the staff of the Department of Crop Science which provides support to research scientists across all departments within the faculty. However, the biometric support provided is insufficient for a number of reasons. On the one hand, scientists, though aware of the availability of the biometricians, do not always appreciate their input as a vital aspect of research. Instead, they see biometrics as a service discipline for help in the final phases of data analysis and reporting. On the other hand, this leads to a lack of exposure to current biometric practices and related problems. In this situation the thrust remains on the classroom curriculum which is based on standard biometric techniques. Attachments to research institutes on a part-time basis is being used as one approach to enhance the quality of support that can be provided by the biometricians.
The data management and statistical software available are Lotus, Dbase, Mstat, SPSS and Genstat. Several computers are distributed throughout the various departments. In particular, the Department of Crop Science houses nine computers donated a year ago by The Rockefeller Foundation. Access to these computers is limited to postgraduate students and staff. Computer access is still extremely limited for the large numbers of undergraduate statistics students.
Mathematics and statistics, whether abstract or practical, require ample time for practice. However, this has not been possible due to limited time for tutorials and shortage of teaching assistants for the large number of students.
It is also difficult for students to achieve their full potential in the understanding and following of the biometrics courses owing to a lack of teaching materials. There is also a need to focus the statistical courses more on application of biometrics without at the same time losing sight of the fundamental concepts.
In contrast to the teaching of courses to undergraduates the syllabus for biometry in MSc courses has been restructured. It now has a strong element of practical biometrics and computer training. In addition to the 80-hour biometry course in year 1 (which includes 30 hours of computing) it is planned that 40 more hours will be allocated for computer sessions in year 2 during the students' projects to cater for training that may not have been covered in year 1.
