MSc Programme in Agriculture

MSc programme in Agriculture (DK: Agronom)

The programme is organised in accordance with Danish Ministerial Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at universities. The programme is offered under the Natural Science Study Board.

Graduation from the programme confers the degree Master of Science in Agriculture.
In Danish: Cand. agro. (candidatus/candidata agriculturae).

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

The MSc in Agriculture programme offers a specialisation in Domestic Animal Science (part A below), and a general specialisation as well as three specific specialisations in the field of Plants and Environment (Part B).

A. The specialisation in Domestic Animal Science

1.1 The programme’s objective

The overall objective of the Master of Science in Agriculture, with specialisation in Domestic Animal Science, is to educate candidates who:

hold solid theoretical knowledge and methodological skills in applied quantitative biology, including body structure-function-performance-welfare relationships in healthy domestic animals
are capable of analysing problems from a holistic view credits and of designing solution models of relevance to the sector, sector organisations, public administration, research and education, in a national as well as an international context
possess the academic qualifications required to perform research, development, and disseminate knowledge at various levels based on a broad knowledge of the sector and its importance to society.

1.2 The programme’s general profile
MSc in Agriculture with specialisation in Domestic Animal Science is a natural science programme, which is based on a completed bachelor degree. It offers a coherent education within animal science in general as well as the opportunity to focus on production animals, horses or companion animals.

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

The programme is intended for students who wish to work with the complex problem situations related to domestic animals. The programme aims to qualify graduates to find solutions, which secures animal welfare and performance. The programme provides students with a range of competences within disciplinary and applied fields, which forms a good foundation for a broad range of carrier opportunities:
Advising and consultancy in production, health and performance of domestic animals, nationally and internationally, e.g. in development projects or as independent consultant
Research, innovation and product development within animal production and system development, feed production and quality and companion animal performance and health, in public institutions, private business or in own enterprise
Policy development and administration related to animal production and welfare, in both the public sector (ministries and municipalities) and in private organisations, including international NGOs
Teaching and communication in universities or agricultural schools or to the broader public

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

Competences for specialization in Domestic Animal Science
During the MSc programme in Agriculture with specialisation in Domestic Animal Science students will acquire the following knowledge, skills and competences. These competences are acquired through participation in core modules. In addition, the student will acquire a number of individual qualifications through elective courses and by writing an MSc thesis. After completion of the programme, a person holding an MSc in Agriculture with specialisation in Domestic Animal Science should be able to:

1.4.1 Knowledge

Summarise and explain the biological basis for the size and quality of animal production units, including the physiology, nutrition, genetics, reproduction and breeding, health, protection from infection and ethology of the animals
Explain how physical activity or principles of prophylactic and health sustaining dietetics may maintain animal health, performance, welfare and longevity
Explain how genetic factors may influence animal performance and longevity from an individual and population based perspective
Discuss animal performance/production theory, including performance factors, performance goals, performance functions, criteria of optimality, utility theory and the impact of external constraints and limitations
Reformulate theories, principles and research findings to independently form hypotheses and theories
Critically reflect on scientific methods used within the subject areas of the programme

1.4.2 Skills

Handle complex issues in domestic animal science, interpreting information in a systematic and competent way to make informed judgments and design programmes and solutions to problems that may arise, bearing in mind the limitations of existing theories
Apply animal performance/production theory, e.g. for monitoring, analysis and planning of actual livestock or equine production units under a utility function with attributes like monetary income, working conditions, animal welfare, product quality and impact of environment, or for optimisation of animal physical performance and behaviour
Apply principles of dietetics for animals in different life stages (maintenance, growth, pregnancy and lactation) and/or under different physical activity
Apply biological models to quantify animal life processes, from cellular to whole body level, considering the impact of genetic, physiological and nutritional factors
Communicate domestic animal science clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, at a variety of levels, using modern and appropriate information and communication tools in the work process

1.4.3 Competences

Demonstrate capacity for independent thought, creativity and rigour in the application of knowledge and skills in work situations or in research
Participate in public discussions of the impact of domestic animals and animal production on society and environment, both from an international and a national perspective
Work independently and effectively on an individual basis, as well as in project teams and interdisciplinary environments, cooperate with relevant partners, discuss solutions and reach consensus
Manage complex and unpredictable work and development scenarios within the professional scope of the programme
Use lifelong learning as a principle to independently evaluate and structure learning processes and assume responsibility for continuous professional development
Use relevant scientific principles to evaluate and analyse the animals’ nutritional-, health- and welfare status, and the quality of their physical/technical environment

B. Specialisations within Plants and Environment

1.1 The programme’s objective

The main objectives of the specialisations within the field of Plants and Environment are to provide the graduates with:

a theoretical and method-oriented knowledge of biological sciences within the fields of plant production, food systems, natural resource use and environmental impacts
the ability to analyse complex problems of importance for the agricultural industry, governmental agencies or educational programmes, both in national and international contexts
skills to communicate knowledge and collaborate at all levels, with a broad knowledge of the interactions between agriculture, society and the environment

1.2 The programme’s general profile

There are three specialisations within the field of Plants and Environment, namely Biological Processes and Crop Quality, Crop Production and Management, and Systems and Sustainability. These require a specific course combination and result in specific competences as described below. It is also possible to obtain a general profile within the field of Plants and Environment. In that case the student must design an individual profile by combining the elective and core elements of the programme.

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

The programme is intended for students who wish to work with the complex problem situations related to our use of natural resources for food production. The programme aims to qualify graduates to find solutions, which secures animal welfare and performance and environmentally sound production of food, feed and fibres. The programme provides students with a range of competences within disciplinary and applied fields, which forms a good foundation for a broad range of carrier opportunities:

Advising and consultancy within crop and animal production and performance, nature and environment, economy and financing, nationally and internationally, e.g. in development projects
Research, innovation and product development within food and feed production, seeds, plant protection, plant breeding or environmental technology in public institutions, private business or in own enterprise
Policy development and administration related to food production, environment, GMO or animal welfare, in both the public sector (ministries and municipalities) and in private organisations, including international NGOs
Teaching and communication in universities or agricultural schools or to the broader public

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

General competences for the specialisations within the field of Plants and Environment
During the Master’s programme in Agriculture with specialisations within the field of Plants and Environment students must acquire the knowledge, skills and competences described below. These qualifications are acquired through the completion of core modules and elective courses and the writing of a master’s thesis. After completion of the programme, a person holding an MSc in Agriculture with specialisation within the field of Plants and Environment should be able to:

1.4.1 Knowledge

Give a detailed account of the theoretical basis and current research within fundamental and applied aspects of plant sciences, agricultural production and environmental impacts
Reformulate theories, principles and scientific results to independently form hypotheses and theories
Critically reflect on the scientific methods used within the subject areas of the programme

1.4.2 Skills

Utilise and apply the knowledge obtained in core and elective courses as well as from other disciplines in an integrated manner when analyzing current problems in agriculture and environment
Draw up a research plan, including discussion of problem identification, research question formulation, data requirements and appropriate selection of experimental or empirical methods, as well as independent analyses, interpretation and critical discussion of own results
Analyse scientific literature and assess possibilities and limitations in the application of theories, methods and new technologies
Formulate own information need and use relevant IT-based tools to search for and retrieve scientific literature from international databases and other sources of knowledge
Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences at a variety of levels, using modern and appropriate information and communication tools in all work processes

1.4.3 Competences

Demonstrate capacity for independent thought, creativity and rigour in the application of knowledge and skills in work situations or in research
Participate in public discussions of the impact of animal or crop production on society and environment, both from an international and a national perspective
Work independently and effectively on an individual basis, as well as in project teams and interdisciplinary environments, cooperate with relevant partners, discuss solutions and reach consensus
Manage complex and unpredictable work and development scenarios within the professional scope of the programme
Use lifelong learning as a principle to independently evaluate and structure learning processes and assume responsibility for continuous professional development

1.5 Graduates with the specialisation in Biological Processes and Crop Quality should furthermore be able to:

1.5.1 Knowledge

Describe how plant genetic constitution, soil quality and external plant growth factors affect crop physiology, performance and crop quality
Demonstrate overview of and critically reflect on key genetic, biological and ecological processes within soils, plants and the environment

1.5.2 Skills

Apply and master appropriate up-to-date methodologies (molecular, analytical, modelling) for research on plant and/or environmental processes
Analyse interactions between abiotic factors, external inputs (fertiliser, pesticides, energy) and intrinsic plant physiology on plant productivity, plant quality and/or the environment

1.5.3 Competences

Demonstrate applicability of new technologies within the context of applied crop production, and assess how the technology affects both product quality and the environment

1.6 Graduates with the specialisation in Crop Production and Management should furthermore be able to:

1.6.1 Knowledge

Describe the biological complexity within the crop production system, including the biology and ecology of pests, diseases, weeds and other antagonists
Account for the effects of genetic constitution and external plant growth factors on crop production and quality, including the effects of climate and external inputs
Critically reflect on environmental impacts of crop production, in particular the efficiency of energy, water, nutrients and other crop inputs and effects on natural habitats
Demonstrate overview of components of farming systems and their interactions in different contexts
Reflect on farmers’ decision making

1.6.2 Skills

Systematically analyse crop production, with respect to system productivity, profitability and environmental impact
Apply up-to-date tools for strategic planning and management of crop production, including crop rotation, fertilisation, plant protection and postharvest management, within the current national and EU legislative framework
Implement and assess new technologies in crop production and associated industries

1.6.3 Competences

Transfer and communicate research results to end-user and provide adequate and timely advice on applied crop management and environmental impacts, promoting good agricultural practice (GAP)
Participate in development of new certification and traceability schemes, interacting with professionals within other disciplines

1.7 Graduates with the specialisation in Systems and Sustainability should furthermore be able to:

1.7.1 Knowledge

Summarise and describe the complexity of agricultural crop production systems, including ecosystem interactions and element cycling and transport at local to global scales
Critically reflect on environmental impacts and sustainability of crop production, in particular the efficiency of energy, water, nutrients and other crop inputs, and effects on natural habitats
Describe how legislative and regulatory measures at the national and international level can be utilised for reducing environmental impact of agricultural systems

1.7.2 Skills

Apply and master appropriate up-to-date methodologies and tools (e.g. mechanistic modelling, Life Cycle Analyses, Environmental Impact Assessment) for quantifying environmental load and sustainability of crop production systems
Discuss and assess different environmental policy initiatives, and how they are affected by environmental ethics and sustainability concepts of different stakeholders

1.7.3 Competences

Generalise and transfer research results on environmental processes and impacts to overall analyses of agricultural systems sustainability and global climate change
Construct relationships between basic science of environmental problems and the economic, social and political barriers to solutions in national and international settings

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

2.1 Content

The programme is set at a total of 120 credits, equivalent to two full years of study.
The programme must include the following elements:

A thesis of 30 or 45 credits
Core and compulsory courses of 45 or 60 credits, depending on the thesis
Elective courses of 30 credits

Thesis: The thesis must be 30 or 45 credits. Theses of 45 credits must have an experimental character. The thesis must be within the subject area of either Domestic Animal Science or Plants and Environment.

Trainee service (up to 15 credits) and courses taken at other national and foreign universities may generally be included as elective credits. In the Crop Production and Management specialisation , trainee service may be part of the core activities.

Thesis (30 or 45 credits) and core courses (at least 45 or 60 credits) comprise the core subjects in the programme (at least 90 credits).

At the start of the programme, the student must select the specialisation Domestic Animal Science or one of the four specialisations within Plants and Environment.

2.2 Specialisation Domestic Animal Science
A minimum of 15 credits must be selected among the following compulsory courses:

240052 Aquaculture – 7.5 credits
240061 Fish Diseases – Theory and Practice – 7.5 credits
260029 Animal Production Science 2A – 30 credits

260030 Animal Production Science 2B - 15 credits

260032 Equine Nutrition and Management of Horses - 15 credits
260033 Nutrition and Management of Companion and Exotic Animals – 15 credits

A minimum of 30 credits must be chosen among the following Core Courses (45 if thesis is 30 credits):

210006 Statistisk dataanalyse 2 (Statistical Data Analyses 2) – 7.5 credits
240002 Animal Biotechnology - 15 credits*
240033 Parasite Systematics – 7.5 credits
240034 Parasitic Zoonoses – 7.5 credits
240050 Immunology - Theoretical – 7.5 credits
240051 Immunology - 15 credits
240053 Mammalian Genomics – 7.5 credits
240073 Quantitative Genetics – 7.5 credits
260001 Advanced Herd Management – 7.5 credits
260003 Advanced Animal Breeding – 7.5 credits
260007 Etologi (Ethology)– 7.5 credits
260016 Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology - Theoretical – 7.5 credits
260017 Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology - Practical - 15 credits
260018 Applied Epidemiology – 7.5 credits
260025 Feed Evaluation and Feeding of Live Stock– 7.5 credits
270039 Meat as a Raw Material - 15 credits
270072 Råvarekvalitet (Quality of Raw Materials) – 7.5 credits
280006 Klima i og omkring stalde (Climate Within and Around Stables) – 7.5 credits
400017 Rådgivning (Advising) – 7.5 credits

*In the study year 2008/2009 the course will be replaced by the course 240077 Advanced Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Rights.

2.3. The specialisations within Plants and Environment

2.3.1 The general specialisation in Plants and Environment
Students following the general specialisation in Plants and Environment design an individual profile, consisting of 45 or 60 credits (depending on whether the size of the thesis is 45 or 30 credits, respectively) from the core courses listed under the three other specialisations.

Students admitted to and following the “NorPATH” and “ENVEURO - Joint European Master in Environmental Science” programme will automatically fulfill the core-course requirement, and be associated with the general specialisation in Plants and Environment.

2.3.2 The specialisation in Biological Processes and Crop Quality

Depending on the size of the thesis, core courses on methodologies and disciplinary areas must comprise a minimum of either 45 or 60 credits.

The thesis must be in the subject area of the core courses of the specialisation.

Core course on methodologies (a minimum of 15 credits must be chosen):

210004 Matematik og Planlægning – 7.5 credits
210006 Statistisk dataanalyse 2 – 7.5 credits
210012 Matematik og modeller – 7.5 credits
230020 Pedology – 7.5 credits
230022 Environmental Soil Chemistry and Biotechnology- 7.5 credits
240038 Plant Biotechnology – 15 credits
240039 Plant Genomics - 7.5 credits
240059 Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources - 7.5 credits
240063 Applied Microbiology – 7.5 credits
290066 Technology Assessment – 7,5 credits

240068 Plant Genetics and Biotechnology – 5 credits (summer course)
240069 Fungal Biology – 7.5 credits
240070 Plant pathology in a Changing world – 5 credits (summer course)
240072 Molekulærbiologiske metoder – 15 credits

Core course within disciplinary areas (a minimum of 15 credits must be chosen):

220003 Climate, Weather and Plants – 7.5 credits
230027 Biokemi 2 – 7.5 credits
240076 Applied Ecology - 7.5 credits
240028 Molecular Plant Biochemistry and Physiology – 7.5 credits
240029 Molecular Plant Breeding – 15 credits
240036 Pathogen and Pest Interactions with Plants: The Molecular Biology – 7.5 credits
250004 Applied Plant Nutrition – 7.5 credits
250013 Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants - 7.5 credits
250026 Pesticide Use, Mode of Action and Ecotoxicology – 7.5 credits
250028 Plant Breeding – 7.5 credits
250030 Plant Ecophysiology – 7.5 credits
250031 Plant Infection and Disease Management – 7.5 credits
250037 Plants in Populations, Communities and Ecosystems – 7.5 credits
250041 Seed Science and Technology – 7.5 credits
250045 Vand og jord i planteproduktionen – 7.5 credits
250062 Quality and Postharvest Biology of Plant Products - 7.5 credits
250075 From Plants to Bioenergy – 7.5 credits
250076 Crop Production, Decision Support Systems and Management – 7.5 credits
250079 Biological Control of Pests - 7.5 credits
250080 Climate Change – Effcredits on Food and Feed – 7.5 credits

310037 Applied Ethnobotany - 7.5 credits
310063 Farming Systems: Production and Sustainability - 7.5 credits (blok 1)

2.3.3 The specialisation in Crop Production and Management
Depending on the size of the thesis, mandatory core courses and core courses within disciplinary and applied areas must comprise a minimum of either 45 or 60 credits.

The thesis must be in the subject area of the core courses of the specialisation.

Mandatory core courses (15 credits):

310063 Farming Systems: Production and Sustainability - 7.5 credits
Either 250076 Crop Production, Decision Support Systems and Management - 7.5 credits
or 310050 Land Use, Element Balances and Environmental Impact - 7.5 credits

Core course within disciplinary areas (a minimum of 15 credits must be chosen):
210006 Statistisk dataanalyse 2 - 7.5 credits
220003 Climate, Weather and Plants - 7.5 credits
250004 Applied Plant Nutrition - 7.5 credits
250026 Pesticide Use, Mode of Action and Ecotoxicology - 7.5 credits
250028 Plant Breeding - 7.5 credits
250031 Plant Infection and Disease Management - 7.5 credits
250041 Seed Science and Technology - 7.5 credits
250045 Vand og jord i planteproduktionen - 7.5 credits
250048 Weed Science - 7.5 credits
250056 Insects in Agricultural and Horticultural Crops - 7.5 credits
250064 Plant Diseases – 7.5 credits

250080 Climate Change - Effects on Feed and Food - 7.5 credits

250062 Quality and Postharvest Biology of Plants Products -7.5 credits

Core course within applied areas (a minimum of 15 credits must be chosen):
240070 Plant pathology in a changing world – 5 credits
250009 Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology – 7.5 credits
250010 Crop Production in the Tropical Environment - 7.5 credits
250013 Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants - 7.5 credits
250024 Land Resources and Crop Production in the Tropics - 15 credits
250069 Organic Food Systems - 15 credits
250075 From Plants to Bioenergy – 7.5 credits
250079 Biological Control of pests – 7.5 credits
280013 Bioresource Technology and Environment
290019 Forvaltningsret - 7.5 credits
290057 Miljø- og planlovgivning - natur og vand – 7.5 credits
400023 Conflict Management – 7.5 credits
400017 Rådgivning - 7.5 credits
Trainee service, 15 credits

2.3.4 The specialisation in Systems and Sustainability
Depending on the size of the thesis, mandatory core courses and core courses within methodologies and applied areas must comprise a minimum of either 45 or 60 credits.

The thesis must be in the subject area of the core courses of the specialisation.

Mandatory core courses (22,5 credits):
310067 Sustainable Food Systems – Concepts and Analysis - 7.5 credits
310043 Environmental Management in Europe - 15 credits

Core course within methodologies (a minimum of 15 credits must be chosen):
280014 Environmental and Ecotechnology - 7.5 credits
280003 Geographical Information Systems - 7.5 credits
280008 Natural Ressource Sampling and Modelling - 7.5 credits
290013 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics – 7.5 credits
290066 Technology Assessment – 7,5 credits
310010 Environmental Impact Assessment - 7.5 credits
310044 Life Cycle Assessment within Biological Production Systems
400022 Qualitative Methods in Agricultural Development - 7.5 credits
400023 Conflict Management - 7.5 credits
400037 Naturanvendelse i et sociologisk perspektiv – 7.5 credits

Core course within applied areas (a minimum of 7.5 credits must be chosen):
240076 Applied Ecology – 7.5 credits
240026 Landscape Ecology – 7.5 credits
250002 Agroforestry – 7,5 credits
250069 Organic Food Systems – 15 credits
250080 Climate Change – Effects on Food and Feed – 7.5 credits

280012 Environmental Technology for Treatment and Management of Biowaste - 5 credits
310028 Urban Ecosystems: Structures, Functions and Designs – 7.5 credits
310049 Environmental Case Studies in Europe – the Wadden Sea Ecosystem – 7.5 credits
310050 Land use, element balances and Environmental Impact - 7.5 credits
310063 Farming Systems: Production and Sustainability - 7.5 credits
310065 Rural Landscape - Policy and Strategies - 7.5 credits

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission

3.1 Admission requirements

The following bachelor’s degree programmes from Faculty of Life Sciences provide direct admission to the MSc programme in Agriculture with specialisations within Plants and Environment:

Natural Resources (BSc Naturressourcer, with the core modules Plantevidenskab, Miljøvidenskab or Naturforvaltning)
Horticulture (BSc Hortonomi).

Applicants holding one of the following bachelor’s degrees are admitted provided that their examination includes the specified courses:

BSc Natural Resources (BSc Naturressourcer) with the core module Miljøøkonomi:

Soil-water-plant relations or environmental chemistry (7.5 credits)

BSc in Biology-Biotechnology or BSc in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Life Sciences:

Basic economics (at least 7.5 credits)
General ecology (at least 7.5 credits)
Soil-water-plant relations or environmental chemistry (7.5 credits)

BSc in Biology from the Faculty of Science:

Basic economics (at least 7.5 credits)
Statistical data analyses (7.5 credits)
Soil-water-plant relations or environmental chemistry (7.5 credits)

BSc in Geography from the Faculty of Science:

Basic economics (at least 7.5 credits)
Statistical data analyses (7.5 credits)
Organism diversity and systematics, botany/zoology (at least 7.5 credits)
Plant physiology or environmental chemistry (7.5 credits)

Applicants with a BSc in one of the above disciplines or similar from the University of Aarhus, Aalborg University, Roskilde University or University of Southern Denmark are qualified for admission on the basis of the same criteria.

Graduates holding other bachelor’s degrees must have qualifications equivalent to one of the above and their admission will be assessed on an individual basis.

The following bachelor’s degree programmes from Faculty of Life Sciences provide direct admission to the MSc programme in Agriculture with specialisation in Domestic Animal Science:

Graduates holding a BSc in Natural Resources with the core module Animal Science from Faculty of Life Sciences are admitted without further requirements.

Graduates holding a BSc in Natural Resources with other core modules, a BSc in Biology-Biotechnology, a BSc in Veterinary Medicine, or a BSc in Biology are accepted directly provided that the compulsory courses have been supplemented with courses in:

Statistical Data Analyses (at least 7.5 credits),
Domestic Animal Nutrition and Physiology (at least 7.5 credits)
Basic Economics (at least 7.5 credits).

Graduates holding other bachelor’s degrees must have qualifications equivalent to one of the above and their admission will be assessed on an individual basis.

3.2 Admission
Students from University of Copenhagen are admitted twice a year. Other students are admitted once a year (in September).

Transfer Agreement 2007-2008

Students admitted before 1 September 20078 must follow their old specialisation. If they want to change to another, they must apply Study and Students' Affairs for an exemption.

Depending on the size of the thesis (30 or 45 credits) core courses must consist of 30 or 45 credits. Core courses and thematic courses passed before 1 September 2008 can be a part of the group of core courses.

Furthermore, for the above mentioned students it is optional to write the thesis in either Danish or English.

Else-Marie Baun, - siden er sidst opdateret d.5. marts 2009