Agroecology

Many ecological problems appearing in areas with intensive agricultural activity and becoming a big obstacle to sustainable development, also exist in Croatia. In order to balance the use of the natural resources for agriculture (agricultural space, soil, water) requires knowledge, and the study of Agroecology puts a special emphasis on the ways and possibilities of sustainable development within the Croatian agriculture. The agricultural ecosystem is significantly different from natural ecosystems, although there are many similarities. Education of experts is an important condition for sustainable development in agriculture, and the goal of this undergraduate study program is to educate generations of agricultural engineers who will organize the agricultural production in Croatia in an ecologically acceptable and sustainable way.

During the first year of studies, students gain basic knowledge in the area of natural and biotechnical sciences, which are then complemented with specific knowledge from the area of agricultural sciences in their second year of study. During the third year of their studies, students must work on professional projects. These projects are work assignments for groups of students under the guidance of mentors. They are completed by a written report and the presentation of results. These professional projects usually include studying relevant literature, collection of data using surveys, interviews and data bases, project solutions for open space planning, and in some cases experimental work. Students also choose elective modules depending on their interests in future employment or based on the needs set by their studies at the graduate level.  During the undergraduate studies, students must engage in practical work for at least two months. Practical work is done as a separate unit, outside the foreseen workload of one academic year. Undergraduate studies are completed by passing all relevant exams and performing other compulsory activities, writing the final thesis and taking the public final exam in accordance with the study program.

Bachelors of engineering in Agroecology must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the areas of agroecology, environmental protection and agricultural production that represent the continuation of their high school education. They can apply their knowledge and understanding of issues in a way specific to Agroecology. They acquire competencies that enable them to solve simpler problems in the area of environmental protection and agricultural production.

Bachelors have the skills needed to collect and interpret the relevant data and draw conclusions about the impact of specific agricultural projects on the environment, They also need to be able to determine how acceptable and justified these projects are taking into account the criteria of ecology, production and economy.

Bachelors of Agroecological Engineering can present information, ideas, problems and their possible solutions to professional and general public. They develop learning skills needed for life-long learning and continuation of their graduate studies.

The existing study programs at the Faculty of Agriculture deal with many topics from the area of Agroecology, but not as a separate unit. Several departments, significant research capacities and many scientists from the Faculty of Agriculture are involved in this study program.

Bearers of this qualification are authorized to use the legally protected university degree of Bachelor ((baccalaureus) in Engineering of Agroecology, and perform professional tasks in the area of qualification.

This study is based on principles of natural and biotechnical sciences; therefore students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to solve tasks of medium complexity in agricultural production and environmental protection. Employment is not necessarily limited to the area of agroecology.

After the completion of the undergraduate studies of Agroecology, students can choose to continue their graduate studies of Agroecology, or other graduate studies at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb. The conditions for enrolment to graduate study programs at other institutions of higher education are set by those institutions.