The Department of Plant Sciences was established as a core unit of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. The Department of Plant Sciences focuses its research, education and services on production and protection of plants for human utilization and is one of the pillars of food security in Oman. The Department is concerned with the application of plant sciences to sustainable agricultural development and aims to enable its graduates to address the challenges that limit sustained expansion in agricultural production, yield and quality that meets the nutritional needs of the current and future generations in the Sultanate. The Department offers a B.Sc. degree program in Crop Sciences, M.Sc. programs each in Crop Production and Crop Protection and a Ph.D. program in Crop Sciences. The Department also offers Postgraduate diploma programs in Crop Production and Crop protection. Our graduates are working in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Oman Botanic Garden, Diwan of Royal Court and in the private sector. The Department of Plant Sciences has an outstanding record of producing internationally recognized and award-winning publications in top journals. The faculty members of the department are actively engaged in teaching, research and consultancy activities highly relevant to Oman. Funding for the research activities comes from His Majesty Trust Fund Strategic Grants, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, SQU internal grants, private companies, and regional and international funding agencies. The faculty members are also active in outreach, especially in supporting the farming community with advice and other diagnostic services. They also frequently present the results of their research at local workshops and symposia, and national and international conferences.

Dr. Muhammad Farooq
Associate Professor & HOD

Our B.Sc. program offers a wide range of topics that provide students with basic and applied crop science knowledge and problem-solving skills in agronomy, horticulture, entomology, plant breeding, plant genetics, plant pathology, biotechnology and landscape design. Students acquire hands-on experience through practical in laboratories, field work at the Agricultural Experiment Station, field trips, internships and research projects. The M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees are for both Omani and international students.

The department offers the following academic programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Crop Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Production
• Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Protection
• Master of Science in Crop Production
• Master of Science in Crop Protection
• Doctorate in Crop Sciences

The Department of Plant Sciences is one of the best performing departments in research at SQU. The Department has an outstanding record of publications in top journals. The research programs at the Department of Plant Sciences are aimed at improving crop production in Oman through effective management of plant response to drought, salinity, high temperatures, insect pests and diseases.

Prior to graduation, all BS students spend at least 6 weeks on-site at a potential work place to receive experience and training related to their future endeavors.  The document their experience in a report and presentation to the department, and are also evaluated by the employer/supervisor at the work-site.

Internship Specific Objectives

Depending on the host institution and the facilities available, students perform some of the activities mentioned below:

1. Become involved in field trials to evaluate crop varieties.
2. Learn about field-based techniques in crop pest and disease management.
3. Become familiar with aspects of crop production at commercial farming enterprises.
4. Visit new installations and ongoing landscape maintenance and development projects.
5. Learn about the problems associated with crop production under salinity limiting conditions.
6. Learn about the use of water, for crop production, generated as a by-product from the oil industry, and also water recycled from sanitary treatment facilities.
7. Learn about the relationship between soil fertility and crop productivity.
8. Learn about the relationship between insect and disease levels and reductions in yield.
9. Become familiar with commercial companies that supply the agricultural sector, including pesticide and fertilizer sales.
10. Perform soil fertility studies.
11. Perform plant propagation operations and evaluate their success.
12. Learn about mushroom cultivation techniques
13. Inspect crops imported into Oman through the quarantine facilities, and identify pests that might be a problem, how to document them, and what to do with contaminated shipments.
14. Any other activities that officials of the host organization think will be useful to the students in their future career.

Department of Plant Sciences
Internship Coordinator:
Phone: +968-24141216
Fax: +968-24413418

Contact us

Head of the Department:
Dr. Muhammad Farooq
Associate Professor & HOD
Department of Plant Sciences
College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences
Sultan Qaboos University
PO Box 34, Al-khod 123
Sultanate of Oman
Phone: (+ 968) 2414 1214
Fax: (+ 968) 2441 3418
Email: farooqcp@squ.edu.om

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Departmental Coordinator
Salwa Mohd Al-Zadjali
Department of Plant Sciences
College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences
Sultan Qaboos University
PO Box 34, Al-khod 123
Sultanate of Oman
Phone: (+ 968) 2414 1215
Email:   szadjali@squ.edu.om