Undergraduate Study
Organic Agriculture

Study Programme Coordinator: Prof. Miljenko Konjačić, PhD

The idea to launch this kind of study program at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture was born based on the changes occurring in agriculture during the past 20 years, and the fact that the curricula at similar universities in Europe changed during this period. The undergraduate study of Organic Agriculture provides multidisciplinary knowledge in the area of biotechnical sciences. It is a completely new study that has never been taught at Universities in Croatia.

The idea to launch this type of study programme at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, arose from changes in agriculture over the past two decades, and from the fact that similar curricula at European universities changed during this period. The undergraduate study of Organic Agriculture provides multidisciplinary knowledge in the area of biotechnical sciences. This is a completely new study programme that has never been taught at Croatian universities.

Description

During the first two years of the Ecological Agriculture study programme, mandatory courses provide students with basic knowledge of agronomic sciences. In the third year of studies, students can choose elective courses from a list suggested by the study programme to expand their knowledge. They can also select courses from other undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Agriculture and other institutions within the University of Zagreb.

The study of Organic Agriculture is a three-year programme, using the ECTS credit system. During the last year of studies, a large number of elective courses (15 courses) are offered, and students can select 6 courses carrying 36 ECTS credits. Students have the right to select 24 ECTS credits (4 courses) from other study programmes at the Faculty of Agriculture. They can also choose to study abroad for a semester. The study programme emphasises active student participation (daily homework, exercises, seminars, etc.) and reduced hours of direct teaching (lectures). Student progress is continuously monitored throughout the semester through written exams and other forms of student participation, with a final exam during the last week of lectures.

Upon completion of the three-year studies, university Bachelors of Organic Agriculture acquire the following competencies:

• Depending on the selection of elective courses, bachelors can be educated for independent work on their own family farms.
• Depending on the selection of elective courses, they can be trained to manage the production on agricultural farms.
• The students acquire sufficient knowledge to continue with their graduate studies at the Faculty of Agriculture, or other institutions dealing with similar sciences.
• They can work at state and local government offices in the area of agriculture and in the rural sector.
• They can become associates in research institutions dealing with the area of agriculture and environmental protection.
• They can become associates in public institutions managing protected areas.
• They can become associates in the business of trade and marketing of agricultural products and equipment.
• They acquire basic knowledge about the position, role and importance of agriculture in the future development.

Bearers of this qualification are authorised to use the legally protected university degree of the Bachelor (baccalaureus) in Engineering of Organic Agriculture and perform professional tasks in the area of qualification. The studies are based on the knowledge in the areas of agronomy, ecology and environmental protection. In this way, students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to solve complex tasks in these areas in various branches of industry and entrepreneurship. Employment is not necessarily limited to the area of agriculture, ecology and environmental protection.

The study of Organic Agriculture is primarily designed as a preparatory course for continuation of the studies. After completing the undergraduate studies of Organic agriculture, students may continue their graduate studies of Organic Agriculture with Agrotourism. Depending on the selection of elective courses during the third year of the studies, they can enrol into other graduate studies at the Faculty of Agriculture and other similar institutions in Croatia, and abroad.

Objective

Through contemporary teaching methods, the aim of the Organic Agriculture study programme is to equip students with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in the field of organic agriculture and environmental protection, as well as to connect organic agricultural production with other industries. Additionally, the objective is to empower students to independently manage their own family farms and businesses related to organic production, work as state and local government officials in monitoring the organic production system in agriculture, rural development, and environmental protection, and work in agricultural companies that deal with products and equipment with a focus on the trade of organic products. Students will acquire general knowledge that will enable them to pursue further education at the graduate level in the field of agriculture and related biotechnical sciences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the characteristics, position, and importance of organic agriculture in relation to other management systems in agriculture
2. Identify and explain the role of conventional agriculture as a user of space and a source of environmental damage and explain indicators of agricultural pressure on the environment
3. Highlight the benefits of the energy balance of organic agriculture compared to conventional agriculture
4. Recommend forms and argue the benefits of crop protection without the use of agrochemicals and plant nutrition measures based on the cultivation of legumes, cover crops, and optimal crop rotation
5. Recommend plant varieties and hybrids suitable for organic agriculture, as well as certain breeds (genotypes) of domestic animals suitable for organic livestock production
6. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of certain technologies in crop production and animal breeding
7. Argue the importance of organic agriculture in the conservation of biological diversity and its contribution to the multifunctionality of agriculture
8. Explain the framework guidelines for standardization and identity of organic agricultural products
9. Calculate and explain the basic economic indicators of organic agricultural production
10. Propose and apply strategies for the conservation of plant and animal genetic resources and indicate the importance of creating gene banks
11. Organize and independently manage technological processes in organic agriculture on a private farm, as well as within major production systems
12. Recognize the problem, formulate research hypotheses and participate in writing scientific papers in the domain of organic agriculture
13. Independently present information, problems, and solutions in the domain of organic agriculture using modern information and communication technology
14. Apply the learning skills acquired to gain new knowledge and insights in the field of biotechnical sciences and for continuing education through formal and non-formal means.