MSc Programme in Horticultural Sciences

The programme is organised in accordance with Ministerial Order no. 814 of 29 May 2010 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at universities (the ministerial order of the study programmes). The programme is under the Natural Sciences Study Board.

Graduation confers the degree Master of Science (MSc)  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 Knowledge

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 Skills

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  

• 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

 

År 1	Blok 1
	Blok 2
	Blok 3
	Blok 4

 

År 2	Blok 1
	Blok 2
	Blok 3	Thesis
	Blok 4

 

  

	Thesis
	Core courses (the suggested block placement of core courses above is not mandatory. The placement strictly depends on which core courses are chosen - see list below).
	Elective courses

 

** 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.  

 

Depending on the size of the thesis, the student must choose at least 45 credits (if thesis 45 credits) or 60 credits (if thesis 30 credits) within the following core courses:

 

    230020      Pedology - 7.5 credits

    230030      Terrestrial Environmental Chemistry - 7.5 credits

    240028      Molecular Plant Biochemistry and Physiology - 7.5 credits

    240029      Molecular Plant Breeding - 15 credits

    240039      Plant Genomics - 7.5 credits

    240066      Genetik  - 7.5 credits 

    250004      Applied Plant Nutrition - 7.5 credits

    250009      Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology - 7.5 credits

    250013      Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests of Agricultural and

                     Horticultural Plants - 7.5 credits

    250037      Plants in Populations, Communities and Ecosystems - 7.5 credits

    250041      Seed Science and Technology - 7.5 credits

    250043      Tropical Botany A - 15 credits

    250044      Tropical Botany B - 7.5 credits  

    250087      Weed Biology and Management - 7.5 credits

    250056      Insects in Agricultural and Horticultural Crops - 7.5 credits

    250059      Climate Management in Horticulture Production - 7.5 credits

    250062      Quality and Postharvest Biology of Plant Products - 7.5 credits

    250074      Fruit and Berry Crop Physiology and Quality – 7,5 credits

    290021      International Economics - 7.5 credits

    310082      Nature Perception – Theories and Methods - 7.5 credits

   

 

Following courses passed before September 2007 belong to the group of core courses:

 

    250008      Climate Management in Horticulture - 15 credits

    250017      Environmental Issues in Horticultural Crop Production - 15 credits  

    250038      Postharvest Handling and Use of Horticultural Products - 15 credits

    250039      Principles of Crop Physiology - 15 credits

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

    250050      Principles of Horticultural Production Physiology - 7.5 credits

    290029      Organisational Economics and Agribusiness - 7.5 credits

    SLU           Applied Crop Physiology - 15 credits

    SLU           Greenhouse and Field Production Systems - 15 credits

    SLU           Plant Breeding, Genetic Resources and Biotechnology - 15 credits

    SLU           Horticultural Marketing Management - 15 credits

    SLU           Horticultural Markets - 15 credits

   

The wide range of courses reflects the numerous specializations 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. 400040 Erhvervsprojekt/Project in Practice

 

Students admitted and following the international study programme Quality and Supply of Fresh Fruits and Berries: “Fruit-Sci, in cooperation with Wageningen University in the Netherlands, will automatically fulfil the requirements to learning outcomes and core-courses and be associated with the ordinary LIFE- degree in MSc Programme in Horticultural Sciences.

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission 

 

3.1 Admission requirements

 

The BSc Programmes in:

    Natural Resources (naturressourcer) with the core module Plant Science (plantevidenskab)

    Natural Resources (naturressourcer) with the core module Environmental Science (miljøvidenskab)

    Natural Resources (naturressourcer) with the core module Nature Management (naturforvaltning)

 

qualify graduates directly for admission to the MSc Programme in Horticultural Sciences.

 

Students holding the BSc degree in Biology-Biotechnology (biologi-bioteknologi) are admitted provided that their examination includes specified courses:

• At least 7.5 credits within economics
• At least 7.5 credits within ecology
• At least 7.5 credits within external growth factors
• At least 7.5 credits within plant protection 

Bachelors from other faculties under University of Copenhagen or from other national and international universities must have equivalent qualifications and their admission will be assessed on an individual basis.

 

 

3.2 Admission

 

Students are admitted to the MSc in Horticultural Sciences once a year (1 September).

 

Transfer Agreement 2007-2008

 

For students admitted before 1 September 2008 it is no longer required to pass a thematic course. 250033 Thematic course: Plant Production and Protection or 250054 Thematic course: Climate Management in Horticultural Production can be a part of the group of core courses if already passed.