The programme is organised in accordance with Executive Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 on bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in universities. The programme is under the Natural Sciences Study Board.

Graduation in the programme confers the degree Master of Science in Agricultural Development.

In Danish: Cand.scient. (candidatus/candidata scientarium) i Agricultural Development.

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1.1 The programme’s objective

As graduates will face a great variety of situations in their professional lives, the general aim of the MSc programme in Agricultural Development is to enable students to identify the critical aspects of professional situations within natural resource management in relation to agricultural activities, and to be able to describe the patterns characterising these situations.

The aim is to give participants the scientific knowledge and skills required to implement and manage research or advisory activities related to agricultural production, economics, environment, and human nutrition and food science. Students are encouraged through interdisciplinary, multicultural real life experiences to see the whole context of the systems encountered.

1.2 The programme’s general profile

The MSc programme in Agricultural Development encompasses all critical aspects of agriculturally related development activities, from soil fertility management to rural livelihood strategies. The learning approach is a combination of field-related experiences, teaching in traditions and methods related to data collection in complex real life situations, and discipline-based specialisations.

The Agricultural Development programme is a combination of:

• an interdisciplinary field-oriented common part which includes training in techniques for gathering data under a variety of field conditions combined with training in the research process
• a selective part which facilitates specialisation, and
• the thesis, which includes field work in the setting of a developing country.

 1.3. The programme’s employment prospects

Firstly, the programme qualifies the graduate to carry out research within agriculture-related activities in temperate, subtropical or tropical environments. Sectors of particular relevance are:

• Agricultural universities like KVL or other international universities
• International research institutions such as the CG centre
• Sector research institutions.

Secondly, the unique combination of field- and discipline-related activities within the same programme qualifies the graduate to carry out adviser- or policy-related activities within agricultural development. Sectors of particular relevance are:

• Development agencies such as DFID or DANIDA
• Non-governmental organisations such as OXFAM or RED CROSS or WWF
• International industry bodies such as companies trading in coffee or timber
• Junior professional officers in international organisations, e.g. UN-related bodies such as FAO or UNDP
• Government bodies.

 1.4. The programme’s competence profile

The programme aims to give the student competences related to field activities, to the specialised activities, and to academic development on a personal level.

1.4.1 Competences within basic science

• A knowledge of sustainable use and management of natural resources related to agricultural activities in developing countries
• An understanding of the theoretical basis of qualitative and quantitative data collection methodology, including interviews and rapid appraisal techniques
• An overview of development theories and their relation to agriculture
• An understanding of systems theories (soft and hard)
• Competences in project planning and evaluation methodologies such as logical framework approaches
• Competences in research planning and execution in complex field settings
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary and intercultural work
• Qualifications to enable the graduate to enter adviser-related activities within agricultural development.  

1.4.2 Competences within applied science

• Competences in sustainable use and management of natural resources in developing countries within Tropical Forestry, Animal Science, Crop Production and Protection, Development Economics, or Human Nutrition and Food Science, depending on the student’s choice of core and elective courses
• The ability to identify, analyse and communicate a research question from a complex setting to broader audiences
• The ability to participate in academic discussions on agricultural development and relationships to other educations
• The ability to critically distinguish sustainability issues in relation to natural resource management
• Qualification to undertake a research education in life sciences at KVL or at other international universities.  

1.4.3 Competences within ethics and values

• An awareness of ethical and moral relationships to the management of different natural resources and resource uses
• The ability to participate in discussions on natural resource management in a global context
• Interdisciplinary project work experience
• Intercultural project work experience
• Possession of independence and integrity when working in complex field settings
• Possession of field work experience from rural areas in developing countries.  

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

* Thesis, compulsory courses and core courses must comprise at least 90 credits

2.1 Content

The duration of the programme is two years – 120 credits. To fulfil the objectives of the programme the student must complete the following compulsory courses:

    400022      Qualitative Methods in Agricultural Development - 7.5 credits

    400006      Thematic Course: Interdisciplinary Land Use and                                                      

                    Natural Resource Management - 15 credits

    290006      Development Economics - 7.5 credits

The programme concludes with a 45-credit thesis within its subject area. The thesis must be based on at least three months of fieldwork in a developing country. The data for the thesis are expected to be collected during this period. The fieldwork may be combined with an internship at international organisations, NGOs, universities or similar. Students will obtain financial support in connection with thesis fieldwork under reservation of fulfilment of compulsory courses.

At least 15 credits must be chosen within the following core courses:

Economics Courses:

    290021      International Economics - 7.5 credits

    290036      Trade and International Economics - 7.5 credits

    290001      Advanced Development Economics - 7.5 credits

    290013      Environmental and Natural Resource Economics - 7.5 credits

Forestry Courses:

    290004      Applied Socio-economics in Tropical Forestry - 7.5 credits

    250002      Agroforestry - 7.5 credits

    310017      Participatory Forest Management - 7.5 credits

    280008      Natural Resource Sampling and Modelling - 7.5 credits

Courses in Plant Production and Protection:

    250024      Land Resources and Crop Production in the Tropics - 15 credits

    250011      Crop Protection in the Tropics: Pests and Diseases - 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

    250006      Biological Control of Pests and Diseases:                                                                

                    Theory, Application and Perspectives - 7.5 credits

Courses in Human Nutrition and Food Science:

    270014      International Food Legislation and Quality Management - 7.5 credits

    270042      Food Quality and Processing Technologies - 7.5 credits

    270011      Food and Nutrition Security in Developing Countries - 7.5 credits

    270025      Physical and Chemical Changes ofFood Quality - 7.5 credits

    270056      Product Development and Consumer Relations - 7.5 credits

    270057      Risk Analysis in Food Safety - 7.5 credits

Courses in Animal Science:

    260005      Basic Animal Nutrition and Physiology - 7.5 credits

    260019      Feed and Feed Evaluation - 7.5 credits

    260018      Applied Epidemiology - 7.5 credits

    260001      Advanced Herd Management - 7.5 credits

    260016      Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology - Theoretical - 7.5 credits

Other Courses:

    210001      Applied Statistics - 7.5 credits

    250043      Tropical Botany A - 7.5 credits

    310010      Environmental Impact Assessment - 7.5 credits

The compulsory courses, core courses and the thesis comprise the core subjects (90 credits). There are 30 credits for elective courses and other elective study activities.

The programme may include trainee service and study trips.

2.1.1 Erasmus Mundus

Based on the Agricultural Development programme, KVL participates in two Erasmus Mundus master courses, namely Agris Mundus – Sustainable Development in Agriculture, and SUTROFOR – Sustainable Tropical Forestry. Students enrolled in the Erasmus Mundus programmes will spend either the first or the second year of their study at KVL and will follow the Agricultural Development programme. For further information see www.agrismundus.eu and www.sutrofor.net.

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and enrolment

3.1 Admission requirements

Applicants with a BSc from KVL in Natural Resources, Food Science, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Forest and Landscape Engineering, and Agricultural Economy are automatically accepted.

Other relevant degree programmes at university level in a field related to agricultural development or, alternatively, in the Social Sciences.

3.2 Enrolment

Enrolment in the M.Sc. degree programme occurs once a year. The studies commence 1 September.