Graduate Study
Plant Sciences

Study Programme Coordinator: Prof. Snježana Kereša, PhD

Description

Graduate study (MS) in Plant sciences students could enroll after a three year bachelor study program in accordance with the Bologna Declaration. After graduation, the student gets title Master in Plant Sciences (Mag.). Such a person can be qualified for managing various processes in crop production, plant breeding and biotechnology, seed production, production of medicinal, aromatic and honey plant species. The graduated person can pursue the PhD or studies for specialization. Graduate study lasts two years (VII-th to IX-th term). It has working load of 120 ECTS credits. The study program has compulsory and elective modules, practical training (one month), working on a technical project, and writing the graduate thesis. In the first study year (VII-th term), the student enrolls five compulsory modules, which enable better understanding subsequent modules, elective within curriculum and freely elective ones. In the IX-th term, the student can enrol modules equivalent to 30 ECTS credits at another university. The graduate student can consult the Study coordinator (Head of the curriculum) and/or mentor regarding making decisions relevant to the study.

Objective

Based on various forms of teaching and knowledge transfer of the latest achievements, students will be able to acquire general and field specific competencies needed for management and further scientific and professional development in the field of plant breeding, seed science and plant production.

The objectives of the study are to train students to apply scientific-research methods in: (1) breeding programmes of various cultivated plant species by integrating classical and modern biotechnological methods and in breeding programmes for organic agricultural production for the purpose of obtaining economically interesting and competitive cultivars, (2) production technology of the most important agricultural crops (cereals, oilseed crops, grain legumes, forage crops, fibre and aromatic crops), for the purpose of developing and strengthening the agricultural sector, and as a basis for further education at the postgraduate study level.

Students are trained to manage demanding processes of plant production on their own family farms, to manage various activities in the field of plant breeding, seed science and plant production technology in scientific and professional institutions such as: breeding and seed companies, producers and processors of grain, industrial crops, forage crops and aromatic crops, Croatian Agricultural Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Croatian Centre for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, state agencies, state and local administration bodies, and to teach in scientific and educational institutions and agricultural schools.

Learning outcomes

1. Define the scientific principles of crop production, plant breeding and seed science
2. Describe the state and trends in domestic and global agricultural production, advanced agricultural production technologies as well as modern approaches in plant breeding and seed science
3. Identify the importance of production processes as well as the selection of suitable cultivars for reduction of various biotic and abiotic stress effects
4. Recognize information, ideas and concepts in the field of crop production, cultivar development, seed production and conservation of plant genetic resources
5. Select and apply appropriate methods and procedures in management of technologically demanding processes on the farm, and to perform complex tasks in agricultural enterprises, services and local and national government​​ bodies
6. Identify and analyse the problems in production and breeding of agricultural, industrial, forage and other crops, and to be able to solve them basedon acquired knowledge and skills
7. Estimate the potential of new crop cultivars for production in specific agroecological conditions
8. Plan and conduct breeding programs of agricultural, industrial, forage and other crops, organize seed production, plan and organize the production of agricultural, industrial, forage and other crops
9. Evaluate the reliability, partiality and usefulness of information, ideas and concepts in the field of plant production and breeding
10. Critically evaluate scientific results in the field of plant production technology before introduction into production
11. Present solutions to problems in the field of plant production and breeding as a result of teamwork and multidisciplinary approach
12. Cooperate in teams within enterprises, local and national government bodies and research institutions in the field of plant production and plant breeding
13. Independently manage a farm or business in crop production and plant breeding, to lead demonstration trials and to participate in applied research in the field of plant sciences
14. Teach in vocational secondary schools in the field of agricultural plant production
15. Develop learning skills for continuing education through the doctoral or specialist degree or lifelong learning