VET Agribusiness
General introduction to the subject:
Plant and Animal Science is applied to plant, animal, and fish husbandry, providing a solid foundation for students interested in agricultural, aquatic, pet, veterinarian, and environmental conservation. Most of the learning is done with a hands-on approach in the following settings: open fields, science labs, fish rooms, greenhouses, rabbitries, other farms, fish hatcheries, plant nurseries, and much more.
Topics studied:
• Plant and Soil Science: consists of applied plant science, field planning, soil science, and plant nutrition.
• Aquatic and Land Based Production – consists of fish biology, ornamental and commercial fish breeding, plant
physiology, crop cultivation and marketing, and plant propagation techniques.
• Rabbit Breeding and Genetics – consists of rabbit biology and behavior, rabbit keeping (pet and commercial),
rabbit health, breeding, and rabbit meat industry.
Class activities involved:
Work involved with farm animals, fish and plants. Use of scientific apparatus for learning science concepts and taking samples. Caring and breeding of animals. Lots of group work. Presentations and discussions.
Homework assigned:
Consolidation exercises. Some research. Part of an assignment may be given as HW.
Assessment given:
During each scholastic year, students will cover a unit and so throughout the three years, students complete 3 units.
During the year, each unit is assessed by means of
• two (2) assignments (60% of the yearly mark) that consist of both written and practical tasks
• one (1) assessment (40% of the yearly mark and issued by MATSEC) that consist of a written examination
The marks obtained during years 9, 10 and 11 will amount to 100% of the final Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) result.
Skills acquired while studying the subject:
• Ability to work as an individual or in a group.
• Ability to make your own research and make the necessary references.
• Skills in horticulture, animal husbandry, aquaculture and environmental conservation.
• Ability to make educated judgements
Skills required to study the subject:
• Comfortable to be working with your hands.
• Comfortable to be working with animals.
• Comfortable to be working within fields, nurseries and greenhouses.
• Willing to work outside the classroom and outdoors.
This subject can lead you to the following Career Paths:
Animal Nutritional Advisor
Plant nursery Assistant
Fish Manager
Hatchery Manager
Horiculture Inspector
VET Assistant
Animal Groomer
Farm Operator
Applied Agribusiness
General introduction to the subject:
Plant and Animal Science are applied into plant, animal and fish husbandry producing a sound basis for learners who are interested in the Agricultural, Aquatic, Pet, Veterinarian and Environmental conservation sectors. Most of the learning is done with a hands-on approach within the following settings: open fields, science labs, fish rooms, greenhouses, rabbitries and other farms, fish hatcheries, plant nurseries and much more.
Topics studied:
• Working in a pet shop and plant nursery environment – consists introductory plant production and different
propagation techniques. Basic fish and pet care. The subject also takes into consideration stock taking.
• Taking care of plants and animals – consists of basic garden design and landscaping. Pruning is also tackled.
Work on Animal health and grooming is done together with basic aquascaping and fish tank construction.
• Plant and animal Production – here the subject focuses on crop production in fields and greenhouses together
with plant nutrition. Concepts of Apiculture plus honey production. Commercial poultry and rabbits is also tackled.
Class activities involved:
Work involved with farm animals, fish and plants. Use of scientific apparatus for learning science concepts and taking samples. Caring and breeding of animals. Lots of group work. Presentations and discussions.
Homework assigned:
Consolidation exercises. Some research. Part of an assignment may be given as HW.
Assessment given:
During each scholastic year, students will cover a unit.
Throughout the three years, students complete 3 units, one each year.
During the year, each unit is assessed by means of three (3) assignments that are mainly based on practical tasks and carried out in class.
Out of the 3 assignments each year, one is issued by MATSEC.
The marks obtained during years 9, 10 and 11 will amount to 100% of the final Secondary Education Applied Certificate (SEAC) result.
Skills acquired while studying the subject:
• Ability to work as an individual or in a group.
• Confidence in rearing animals.
• Skills in horticulture, animal husbandry, aquaculture and environmental conservation.
• Ability to make educated judgements.
• Skills in garden management.
• Skills in aquarium construction.
Skills required to study the subject:
• Comfortable to be working with your hands.
• Comfortable to be working with animals.
• Comfortable to be working within fields, nurseries and greenhouses.
• Willing to work outside the classroom and outdoors.
This subject can lead you to the following Career Paths:
Pet Shop Assistant
Landscaper Maintenance Worker
Fish Farm Assistant
Animal Care Assistant
Plant Nursery Assistant
Animal Groomer Assistant
Aquarium Assistant
Greenhouse Aide