Increasing concern over environmental, biodiversity and food safety issues in the Mediterranean area have formed the basis for a Masters of Science (M.Sc.) degree on “Sustainable Agriculture”. Sustainable Agriculture promotes the principles of a viable agro-ecosystem with natural living systems that operate compatibly through responsible management of abiotic and biotic resources and it is particularly sensitive on environmental pollution and waste. The postgraduate program enables the graduates to tackle the recent incorporation of environmental issues into the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The framework of integrated and organic farming systems is provided by the quality assurance legislation and agro-environmental indicators. Technical topics are analysed in depth: agroecology, ecotoxicology, agrobiodiversity, genetic resources management, soil and water management, crop protection and integrated pest management (IPM), case studies of sustainable methodologies.
Objectives:
The Department of Sustainable Agriculture in MAICh provides a two-year M.Sc. program, where international academics, researchers and representatives of non-governmental organisations are invited regularly to contribute on a diverse range of topics. The M.Sc. degree on “Sustainable Agriculture” is designed for scientists holding a four years university Bachelors degree in agriculture/agronomy, plant science, biology or any related field. M.Sc. students develop useful working contacts with the invited speakers who cover a wide range of modules related to sustainable agriculture. M.Sc. graduates constitute suitable employees in farmer advice/extension, teaching, research institutions, government and international agencies, management companies, aid programs, local authorities and as consultants in the private sector. Other graduates carry on pursuing further research for a PhD degree.
Last update: 18 of April, 2006