Specialist Study
Animal Sciences

Welcome to the University specialist study Animal Sciences. This programme has been offered since the 2009/2010 academic year. The programme belongs to the Biotechnological sciences, Agriculture, Animal Science. The duration of the study programme is one academic yead (2 semesters, i.e. 60 ECTS). The study programme is supervised by the Committee for Specialised Studies and Lifelong Education whose president is Prof. Darko Preiner, PhD

Study Programme Coordinator:
Prof. Boro Mioč, PhD

About the Study:

Reasons for starting the Specialist Study Animal Sciences

Agriculture, in the broadest sense, is one of vital social and economic importance in every nation. As a scientific field, it is extremely diverse, and there is a constant need for well educated, specialised and interdisciplinary professionals to lead and advance the field. This need is further emphasised by Croatia's accession to the European Union. The current employment conditions for our graduates require adaptation to the new trends in higher education and the demands of the labour market. It is also necessary to provide opportunities for lifelong learning, to consider international study options and to enable the enrolment of foreign students. This study programme is in line with numerous global university programmes whose main goal is to build a modern livestock industry, including meat production and processing. The University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture is founded in 1919, and it is one of the oldest and best organised institutions of its kind in our European region. The exemplary work of the faculty has significantly influenced education and science in agriculture and related fields and has educated and trained many agricultural scientists. To date, more than 10,630 engineers have graduated, with the first doctorate awarded in 1925. In addition, the faculty has been offering postgraduate programmes for scientific further education for over 40 years and awards master’s degrees in all scientific branches of biotechnical sciences. By the end of 2008, a total of 984 master’s degrees and 560 doctoral degrees had been awarded. The faculty’s willingness to take on new challenges is reflected in its extensive scientific output and its openness to the latest international findings, which is made possible by its co-operation with many institutions throughout Europe and beyond.

Programme flexibility and student mobility

Given the broad scope of this field of science, the programme has always welcomed students from bioengineering faculties as well as from other scientific disciplines, mainly from the natural sciences and biomedicine, and to some extent from other fields. This practise will be continued, which is also reflected in the admission requirements.

The mobility is also supported by the possibility of acquiring some ECTS credits by attending courses at other scientific and higher education institutions in Croatia and abroad.

Study admission requirements

Completed graduate studies in biotechnical or other scientific field (Master of Science according to the Bologna 3+2 system; Bachelor of Science or equivalent according to the previous system). Applicants from non-biotechnical faculties may be required to complete additional courses, which are decided by the Faculty Committee on a case-by-case basis (Regulations for Postgraduate Specialised Studies at the University of Zagreb, Article 17, paragraphs 1 and 2).

Foreign students with validated graduation certificate (diploma) who meet the above requirements may also apply the programme (http://www.azvo.hr).

Admission requirements are published through public announcements.

Competences acquired after the completion of the Study

The programme aims to train experts who can work independently and contribute to the improvement of the scientific branch. Depending on the modules chosen, graduates may be qualified to work independently in a specialised field or on their own family business. They will be able to develop and implement professional projects, critically analyse expert literature and apply knowledge in practise.

Academic title acquired after the completion of the Study

Upon completion of studies acquired academic title is University Specialist in Animal Sciences (Univ. Spec. in Animal Sciences).

Structure of the Study

The Study is structured in such a way that the basic mandatory modules are completed in the first semester, while the compulsory elective modules are chosen in the second semester. Students must choose five modules from Group A and three from Group B. To enrol for the second semester, students must fulfil all attendance requirements and pass all examinations in the first semester. The second semester includes an expert thesis (6 ECTS). This thesis may be defended after all courses have been successfully passed.

Criteria and conditions for the transfer of ECTS credits

Elective modules offered in other degree programmes in Croatia or abroad bring the number of ECTS credits in accordance with postgraduate studies. The decision for approval ECTS credits is taken by the competent Faculty Committee.

It is expected that this one-year programme, including a final year, will be completed within two years. Students who do not complete their studies within this time frame must submit a written request to the Faculty Committee to extend their studies, which will be considered on an individual basis.

The conditions for the eligibility to the graduation certificate for the study program, as part of the life-long education

Students can request a Transcript of Records for completed modules at any time, which can be obtained from the Faculty Student Office.

Completion of the Study

The student completes the studies by a public defence of the final expert thesis, which is announced at least five days in advance at the faculty information board. The application for the final expert thesis should be submitted to the competent Faculty Committee at the beginning of the second semester by the student in cooperation with his/her mentor and two professors, who constitute the Committee for the assessment/defence of the completed thesis. The proposal contains the topic, type and structure of the expert thesis. The Faculty Committee reviews and approves the proposal or returns it for revision. After approval of the topic and the members of the Defence Committee by the Faculty Committee, the defence of the expert thesis can take place as soon as all examinations and other obligations have been fulfilled.

The maximum duration of these studies (from enrolment till the defence of the expert thesis) is two years, including the graduation year.

Conditions for the organization of the study

Study program locations

The main location of the studies is at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture.

Facilities and equipment for the implementation of the programme

The Faculty of Agriculture, with over 20 laboratories and five research facilities as well as the largest agricultural library in Croatia, serves as the main location for the programme. A new pavilion, opened in 2005, houses advanced laboratories for research. These resources ensure access to the latest scientific developments and excellence in the scientific field. Some of these resources, particularly the laboratory, will support this programme.

Optimal number of students

The optimum number of students is up to 10. If fewer than three applicants enrol on a module, students will have the option of completing it through consultation with the module coordinator.