MSc Programme in Horticultural Sciences

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 confers the degree Master of Science in Horticulture. In Danish: Cand.hort. (candidatus/candidata hortonomiae).

 

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1. 1 The programme’s objective

The programme aims to further increase knowledge and understanding through a continuous application of available tools to solve problems, building upon the basic knowledge gained in the bachelor’s programmes which serve as prerequisites for entry to the master’s programme. The programme is a predominantly natural science education where aspects of social sciences may also be relevant. The programme has a strong international perspective in that it constantly considers the use, movement and trading of plants in a global context.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

Horticulture is a wide field, where all aspects of plant biology are applied to an extensive range of plants and their uses for mankind. Issues such as basic production are thus as relevant as breeding, genetics, technology and biotechnology, biochemistry, diagnostics, pests and diseases, production planning, marketing, economy and international trade relations, organic and conventional production systems, quality management, storage and transport, statistics, project planning, and more. This list is far from complete, but it demonstrates the need to provide an opportunity for the individual student to define his or her own profile while still ensuring a “horticultural profile”. Instead of defining particular specialisations with the programme, guiding study plans are seen as the major tool for making students aware of the need for a particular set of courses within a certain specialisation.

 

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

Graduates possess skills especially in the application of theoretical knowledge to practical problems while being able to analyse problems from different angles. These problem solving skills make them highly suitable in job environments where changing demands and flexibility are very important. Possible jobs are either in the horticultural sector itself or in related fields of environmental sciences such as:

• Within the research and development sector of the industry
• Advisory services
• Public service and administration
• Trade
• Managing own businesses
• Teaching

 

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

 

1.4.1 Competences within basic science

Students will be able to:

• apply theories, principles and results from basic and applied science subjects to the development of hypotheses
• critically analyse existing and personally developed hypotheses, and judge their usefulness in the context of a given problem
• understand scientific methods and experiments 

1.4.2 Competences within applied science

Graduates will possess the ability to:

• critically analyse relevant literature
• plan and organise own experiments aimed at solving a given problem
• assess, analyse and explain own results in relation to existing knowledge
• understand the horticultural production chain and the interaction of production with the natural environment
• analyse, understand and critically view new technologies for their usefulness for a given problem
• formulate problems, experiments and results clearly and to communicate them and possible solutions orally and in writing at the appropriate level for a given audience
• understand and use modern information and communication tools in all aspects of the work process
• communicate efficiently and to work in a team with others or on an individual basis
• work efficiently in a cross-disciplinary environment
• value own strengths and weaknesses and to structure ongoing learning processes efficiently.

 

1.4.3 Competences within ethics and values

• An understanding of the horticultural production chain and the interaction of production with the natural environment, thus being able to value its importance and role for society
• The ability to analyse, understand and critically view new technologies with respect to their usefulness for a given problem while analysing and understanding their effects on society at large
• Acceptance of lifelong learning as a principle. 

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

 

 

* One of the two thematic courses must be chosen

** Thematic course, core courses and thesis must comprise at least 90 credits

 

2.1 Content

The programme is set at 120 credits, that is, two full years of study. The student must complete at least one of the two thematic courses1:

    250033      Thematic Course: Plant Production and Protection - 15 credits

    250054      Thematic Course: Climate Management in Horticultural Production - 15 credits

 

1) Students that in the study year 2005-2006 have passed one of the following courses fulfil requirement of completion of thematic course:

    250038      Postharvest Handling and Use of Horticultural Products - 15 credits

    250039      Principles of Crop Physiology - 15 credits

    250008      Climate Management in Horticulture - 15 credits

    250017      Environmental Issues in Horticultural Crop Production - 15 credits

    SLU           Applied Crop Physiology - 15 credits

    SLU           Greenhouse and Field Production Systems - 15 credits

 

Depending on the size of the thesis, the student must choose at least 30 credits (if thesis 45 credits) or 45 credits (if thesis 30 credits) within the following core courses:

    250025      Management of Pests, Diseases and Weeds in Horticulture - 15 credits

    250049      Climate Management in Horticulture - 7.5 credits

    250050      Principles of Horticultural Production Physiology - 7.5 credits

    250017      Environmental Issues in Horticultural Crop Production - 15 credits

    250038      Postharvest Handling and Use of Horticultural Products - 15 credits

    230020      Pedology - 7.5 credits

    230019      Environmental Soil Chemistry - 7.5 credits

    310014      Mind and Nature – Landscape values - 7.5 credits

    250041      Seed Science and Technology - 7.5 credits

    250006      Biological Control of Pests and Diseases - Theoretical course - 7.5 credits

    250004      Applied Plant Nutrition - 7.5 credits

    240039      Plant Genomics - 7.5 credits

    400015      Thematic Course: Biotechnology from Idea to Product - 15 credits

    250043      Tropical Botany A - 15 credits

    250044      Tropical Botany B - 7.5 credits

    240028      Molecular Plant Biochemistry and Physiology - 7.5 credits

    250019      International Horticulture - 7.5 credits

    240029      Molecular Plant Breeding - 15 credits

    250049      Botany, Origin, and Evolution of Horticultural Plants - 15 credits

    250009      Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology - 7.5 credits

    250037      Plants in Populations, Communities and Ecosystems - 7.5 credits

    250048      Weed Science - 7.5 credits

    250013      Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants - 7.5 credits

    240018      Genetics 2 - 7.5 credits

    290021      International Economics - 7.5 credits

    250056      Insects in Agricultural and Horticultural Crops - 7.5 credits

 

Following courses passed in the study year 2005-06 belong to the group of core courses:

    SLU           Plant Breeding, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology - 15 credits

    SLU           Horticultural Marketing Management - 15 credits

    SLU           Horticultural Markets - 15 credits

    290029      Organisational Economics and Agribusiness - 7.5 credits

 

The wide range of courses reflects the numerous specialisations which students might want to choose. Students must choose from these or, in the event of a study period at another university, equivalent courses.

 

The last 30 credits can be freely chosen to allow for a further development of the individual competence profile.

 

The programme concludes with a 30-credit or 45-credit thesis within its subject area. The thesis work includes own experiments or an appropriate analysis of existing data in addition to the analysis of relevant literature. The thematic course, core courses and the thesis comprise the core subjects in the programme. There are 30 credits for elective courses and other elective study activities.

 

The programme may include trainee service and study trips.

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and enrolment

3.1 Admission requirements

Students with a KVL bachelor’s degree in Horticulture are accepted directly.

 

Students with a KVL bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources with the core module Plant Sciences, Nature and Society or Environmental Science are accepted directly.

 

Students with a KVL bachelor’s degree in Biology – Biotechnology are accepted directly if they have taken courses in Economy, Ecology, External Growth Factors and one Plant Protection course (7.5 credits each)

 

Students with a bachelor’s degree within an area of natural sciences from other universities are accepted if their qualifications are equivalent to those outlined in the three credits above.

 

3.2 Enrolment

Students are enrolled once a year with start 1 September.