Course Duration: 2 years
Course Period : September 2006 - July 2008
Tuition Fee : € 13,820 (composite fee) + € 1,815 (research fee)
Location: Wageningen, Netherlands

The programme has been designed to help meet the worldwide demand for scientific expertise in the development of crop and plant production methods and farming systems. This tailor made, thesis-oriented programme provides a balance between fundamental and applied science. Interdisciplinarity is a hallmark of the study programme.

There are five specialisations:

• Plant breeding and genetic resources, the science of improving the hereditary make-up of cultivated plants, covers activities ranging from the molecular level to the population level. The field therefore requires sound knowledge of the structure and function of cultivated plants, their behaviour in a stand and practical aspects of crop cultivation and diseases and pests. Plant breeding plays an important role in realising high-yield field and greenhouse crops, creating a wide range of flowers and plants for the ornamental plant industry, and developing varieties suitable for organic farming and low-input plant production systems.
• Plant pathology and entomology, studies the population ecology of insects, nematodes and weeds and the epidemiology of fungi and viruses, including mechanisms of transmission. Students can major in fields such as entomology, virology, phytopathology, nematology, and crop and weed ecology. The student’s research project can focus on the molecular or ecological aspects of bio-interactions between pathogen and host.
• Crop science - Students in this specialisation acquire a sound understanding of the basic physical, chemical and physiological aspects of crop growth and production. An important aspect is the use of simulation models to integrate the scientist’s knowledge and to bridge the gap between laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments.
• Organic plant production - Students in this specialisation acquire knowledge of and insight into the complex relationships between soil health, fertilisation, crop-growing practices and nutrient kinetics. This knowledge is applied to sustainable agro-ecosystems and organic farming systems. Students can major in fields such as biological farming systems, where the development of new, sustainable organic plant production systems (and the improvement of existing ones) is emphasised.
• Greenhouse horticulture - In the food production chain, greenhouse horticulture is a unique agro-system. It is the only production method that can significantly control not only abiotic factors (such as water, soil and light), but also biotic ones (weeds, pest insects and pathogens such as fungi and viruses). Students can major in fields such as horticultural production chains, economics of plant production systems and marketing.

Admission Requirements:
BSc in agriculture, or related fields.
TOEFL Score of 575 or IELTS 6.5

Institutions

• Wageningen University