Biotechnology and Crop Science

About the Department:

Since re-opening the University of Sulaimani in 1992, the College of Agricultural Sciences Engineering was one of the Colleges that launched first on November 15^th, 1992 to receive undergraduate students. There were several reasons behind the decision of reopening the College of Agricultural Sciences by that time. Kurdistan Region is basically graded as an agricultural country with a vast area of arable land and adequate water resources. More than 50% of the Iraqi population works in the agriculture sector. Cattle breeding and farming have always been an important sector of the region's national product, given political stability, Kurdistan is capable of producing enough food to assure the food security of the region; therefore, training specialists in the field of agriculture is of vital importance for the region.

Out of 983000 hectares of land in Sulaimani Governorate, approximately 306000 hectares (31.2%) are cultivated with strategic crop plants such as wheat, barley, chickpeas, lentil, sunflower, cotton, sesame, peanut, rice, and broad bean. The soil of these cultivated lands is of high fertility and organic matter. The climatic condition is suitable for dry farming activities during October-June due to the availability of adequate precipitation annually (more than 750 mm). Indeed, water resources are available for summer cultivation. In Kurdistan daily thermal degree available for crop growth is more than 2600 degrees; total solar radiation is more than 22 Mega Jules M-² Day-¹.

Since its establishment, the Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science, University of Sulaimani is involved in conducting research to improve the crop productivities in Sulaimani Region. Research activities extend to, improving cultural practices, crop fertilization, practising intercropping, pastureland management and improvement, and the introduction of new germplasm. Moreover, the Department also incorporated postgraduate studies, i.e. High Diploma, M.Sc. & PhD programs to improve crop productivities, crop physiology, crop breeding, Crop germplasm manipulation and plant phytochemistry, however, the first cycle of B.Sc. study is involved in the qualifying graduate as an Agricultural Engineer in Biotechnology and Crop science.

The Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science is the oldest Department in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Currently being the largest Department both in terms of the number of programs and student population. At this time, the academic staff of the Department is comprised of (54) members, including (4) Professors, (12) Assistant Professors, (21) Lecturers, (16) Assistant lecturers and (1) M.Sc. holders. Concerning the higher education study, since the reopening in 1992 Crop Science Department gave (31) PhD Degree and (77) M.Sc. Degree and (7) Diploma Degree in a different area of Crop Science.

Scientific Promotion

*Professor*	*Assistant Professor*	*Lecturer*	*Assistant Lecturer*	*M.Sc. Holders*
4	11 with a Ph.D. Degree	4 with a PhD Degree	16	1
	1 with M.Sc. Degree	17 with M.Sc. Degree
4	12	21	16	1

Head of the Department Speech (Mission and Vision):

Studies Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science are related to the crop improvement throughout the fields of plant biotechnology & molecular genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology, plant tissue culture, investigating plant secondary products and biological weed control. Agronomic researches by the Department staff are being carried out in the College fields in Bakrajo and Qlyasan.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science at The University of Sulaimani is to generate, integrate and apply the knowledge about crop plants that are grown for food, feed and the general benefit of humankind. It can be achieved through the integration of teaching, research and extension/outreach efforts. We try to find and disseminate answers to problems and discover opportunities concerning the efficiency and sustainability of production especially in the coming uncertain environment, in addition to improve product quality. We work to ensure that agricultural systems and products in the Kurdistan region are able to meet the steady demand for food due to the population increase and assuring the food security of Kurdistan Region for the next generations.

Generate, integrate and apply agricultural knowledge to produce sustainable food and other benefits of humankind. It can be achieved through the integration of teaching and research efforts, enabling graduate alumni to conduct professional activities in the field of Agronomy with advanced technological knowledge in a sustainable manner in both the public and private sector.

We work to ensure that agricultural systems and production in the Kurdistan region are able to assure food security through accomplishing demand for food due to the increasing population rate and uncertain environment for the current and next generations.

Vision

The Department is to be a centre of knowledge and excellence in TEACHING and RESEARCH. Seeking to strengthen in a sustainable environmental and satisfied agricultural products. Contributing to improving quality of life, based on our commitment and dedication to the scientific knowledge and technology in the field of Crop Science. The department also plans to update the studying programs of all undergraduate courses related to the strategic and policy of the Department to be more comparable with other Biotechnologies and Crop Science partners in developed countries.

Department of Biotechnology and Crop ScienceTeaching Staff (2018/2019)

*No.*	*Name*	*Scientific Promotion*	*Speciality*	*Position*
1	Dr. Rozhgar Mustafa Ahmed	Assistant Professor	Medicinal Plant Production	Head of the Department
2	Sarkawt Hama Salih Ali	Lecturer	Crop Production	Rapporteur of the Department
3	Dr. Sherwan Ismail Tawfiq	Professor	Plant Breeding and Genetics
4	Dr. Abdulsalam Abdulrahman Rasoul	Professor	Phytochemistry and Medicinal Plants
5	Dr. Emad Mahmud Ghalib	Professor	Cereals Pathology
6	Dr. Aram Abbas Muhamad	Professor	Crop Physiology
7	Dr. Mohammad Tofiq Mohammad	Assistant Professor	Plant Breeding
8	Omer Karim Aziz	Assistant Professor	Tobacco Crop Production
9	Dr. Nariman Salih Ahmad	Assistant Professor	Plant Biotechnology
10	Dr. Dana Azad Abdulkhaleq	Assistant Professor	Plant Breeding and Genetics
11	Dr. Shara Jalal Hama	Assistant Professor	Industrial Crops
12	Dr. Jwan Ghareeb Refat	Assistant Professor	Range Management
13	Dr. Saman Abdulrahman Ahmad	Assistant Professor	Plant Systematics and Biodiversity
14	Dr. Sanaria Rafiq Muhamad	Assistant Professor	Forage Crops and Range Management
15	Dr. Kamil Mahmud Mustafa	Assistant Professor	Plant Breeding and Genetics
16	Dr. Shang Hassib Abdulqadir	Assistant Professor	Cereal Crops
17	Dr. Emad Omer Hama Ali	Assistant Professor	Plant Biotechnology
18	Dr. Muhamad Amin Ali	Lecturer	Agriculture of Tropics and Subtropics
19	Dr. Shiren Jalal Mohamed	Lecturer	Plant Physiology
20	Dr.Taban Najmaddin Hama Amin	Lecturer	Plant Breeding and Genetics
21	Dr.Hikmat Nuri Mahmud	Lecturer	Industrial Crops
22	Runak Ahmad Hussien	Lecturer	Industrial Crops
23	Hero Fatih Hama Karim	Lecturer	Plant Molecular Genetic
24	Bekhal Mustafa Hama Hassan	Lecturer	Crop Production	Ph.D. Student
25	Bestun Omer Hama Amin	Lecturer	Plant Breeding and Genetics
26	Kazhal Rashid Ahmad	Lecturer	Cereal Crop Production	Ph.D. Student
27	Fawzy Fayzulla Khurshid	Lecturer	Agricultural Mechanization	Ph.D. Student
28	Dr. Rubar Hussein Muhammed Salih	Lecturer	Plant Taxonomy and Cytological Technology
29	Dzhwar Dhahir Latif	Lecturer	Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement	Ph.D. Student
30	Shawna Ahmad Hussien	Lecturer	Plant Physiology
31	Dastan Ahmad Ahmad	Lecturer	Plant Breeding
32	Dr. Shwan Muhammad Salih Hama Rash	Lecturer	Precision Agriculture in Seed Quality
33	Maki Muhamad Ahmad	Lecturer	Cereal Production	Ph.D. Student
34	Almas Jalal Muhamad	Lecturer	Medicinal Plants
35	Karzan Ezaddin Abdulla	Lecturer	Medicinal Plants
36	Suad Muhamad Sheikh Abdulla	Lecturer	Plant Breeding and Genetics	Ph.D. Student
37	Dayan Majid Ibrahim	Lecturer	Crop Production
38	Banaz Jamal Mahmud	Assistant Lecturer	Medicinal Plants
39	Kawa Faysal Mustafa	Assistant Lecturer	Technology of Control	Ph. D. Student
40	Didar Abdulkarim Rahim	Assistant Lecturer	Environmental Biotechnology	Ph. D. Student
41	Shelan Mahmud Ahmad	Assistant Lecturer	Crop Physiology
42	Solav Adnan Mahmud	Assistant Lecturer	Industrial Crops
43	Ashti Sleman Abdulla	Assistant Lecturer	Medicinal Plants
44	Shno Osman Sofi	Assistant Lecturer	Cereal Production
45	Shangin Hama Salih Nadir	Assistant Lecturer	Weed Control
46	Shokhan Mahmood Sleman	Lecturer	Crop Improvement
47	Rezhin Ghareb Nwry	Assistant Lecturer	Environmental Technology
48	Shaee Adeb Gharib	Assistant Lecturer	Field Crop Production
49	Bestun Ali Abdulla	Assistant Lecturer	Legume Crops Production
50	Sayran Sardar Hasan	Assistant Lecturer	Cereal Technology
51	Tara Omer Muhammad	Assistant Lecturer	Range Management
52	Mehraban Sharif Maeruf	Assistant Lecturer	Plant Biotechnology
53	Parez Ahmad Taha	Assistant Lecturer	Weed Control
54	Rawaz Jalal Hama Ali	M.Sc. Holder	Image Processing Technique
55	Sara Ibrahim Abdulrahman	Assistant Lecturer	Agricultural Equipments

First Cycle Degree / Bachelor in Biotechnology and Crop Sciences

Course Structure Diagram for the Educational Plans (2019 -2020)

First Year (First Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	First Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Applied Mathematics	FD		2	0	0	2	☒	☐	6
2	General Botany	FD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
3	Computer Application	CD		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	5
4	English Language (Reading + Writing)	CD		4	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	University Work Environment	CD		2	3	0	2	☐	☒	4
6	Kurdology	DU		2	0	0	3	☒	☐	3
Total hours per week:				10	9	6	11			30

First Year (Second Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	Second Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	General Chemistry (Analytical and Organic Chemistry)	FD		2	0	3	0	☒	☐	5
2	Taxonomy and Biodiversity	FD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
3	Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition	FD		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
4	English Language (Listening + Speaking)	CD		4	6	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	Professional Skills	FD		2	2	1	2	☐	☒	4
6	Physical Education	DU		2	3	0	0	☐	☒	3
Total hours per week:				10	8	10	6			30

Second Year (First Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	First Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Crop Production	SD		2	3	0	3	☒	☐	6
2	Biostatistics	FD		2	3	0	0	☒	☐	6
3	Microbiology	FD		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
4	Agroecology and Meteorology	FD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	Farming System and Sustainable Agriculture	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
Total hours per week:				10	12	3	9			30

Semester Elective Course (3 ECTS):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	First Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Arabic Language	DU		2	0	2	3	☒	☐	3
2	Turkish Language	DU		2	0	2	3	☒	☐	3

Second Year (Second Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	Second Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Phytochemistry	PF		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
2	Crop Diseases	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
3	Forage Crops and Range Management	SD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
4	Crop Equipment Mechanization	PF		2	0	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	Surveying and Remote Sensing and GIS	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
Total hours per week:				10	9	3	10			30

Third Year (First Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	First Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis	SD		2	3	0	0	☒	☐	6
2	Genetics and Molecular Biology	PF		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
3	Crop Physiology	PF		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
4	Food Security and Agricultural Law Legislation	DU		2	0	0	3	☒	☐	6
5	Irrigation Engineering	PF		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
Total hours per week:				10	6	9	6			30

Third Year (Second Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	Second Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Macromolecules and Enzymology	SD		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
2	Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology	SD		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
3	Medicinal and Aromatic Plants	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
4	Crop Insects and Bee Keeping	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	Tobacco Production and Technology	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
Total hours per week:				10	6	6	11			30

Fourth Year (First Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	First Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Plant Breeding	SD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
2	Plant Cell and Tissue Culture	SD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
3	Industrial Crops	SD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
4	Crop Germplasm Manipulation	SD		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	Dryland Farming	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
Total hours per week:										30

Fourth Year (Second Semester):

No.	Discipline / Module	Notation	Code	Second Semester (16 Week)						ECTS
				No. of Hours per week				Final Evaluation
				Theory	Practical	LAB	Project	Exam	Continuous Evaluation
1	Population Genetics and Biometry	PF		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
2	Molecular Techniques in Plant Breeding	SD		2	0	3	2	☒	☐	6
3	Cereal Crops and Grain Legumes	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
4	Weed Biocontrol	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
5	Seed Technology	PF		2	3	0	2	☒	☐	6
Total hours per week:										30

Tips:

Discipline type	Notation	Weight%	From a total of 44 Disciplines
Fundamental (General)Disciplines	FD	(17-20) %	8 = (18.18) %
Preparatory Disciplines in the Field	PF	(35-37) %	16 = (36.36) %
Specialty Disciplines	SD	(25-28) %	11 = (25.00) %
Complementary Disciplines	CD	(8-10) %	4 = (9.09) %
Disciplines according to University option	DU	(10-15)%	5 = (11.36) %
Total:		%100	%99.99