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Plant Sciences

Plant Sciences

Master of science (2 year) Full time

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Håkon Sparre, NMBU

Are you interested in agriculture and horticulture, ecological agriculture or plant biology and the effect of climate and environment on growth and quality?

Health aspects of plants and food?

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Application deadline:

June 1st
International applicants:
December 1st

Study start
Autumn 2020
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Study advisor(s)
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Contact info

Admission Office:
opptak@nmbu.no
Phone:  67 23 01 11

The programme provides specialization in agriculture, horticulture, plant biology or plant protection.

You can choose between three study options:

  • Plant Production Systems,
  • Plant Biotechnology and
  • Plant Protection

More information can be found in the study plan here: Study plan

Job opportunities

Work opportunities include managerial positions in environment or agriulture. You will be qualified for governmental, communal or private sectors as a manager, adviser/consultant, PhD-student, researcher, lecturer (with pedagogic). You can work internationally, in UN organizations like FAO, and NORAD.

Learning outcomes

Students will learn about flowers, fruits, berries, vegetables and cereal. Understanding of plants function, and how the environment and climate effects on their functions. Genetics and molecular methods. Plant health and plant protection.

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree in plant science, biology, biotechnology or equivalent education that includes basic knowledge in mathematics, chemistry, plant physiology, and natural sciences. There is a minimum mark requirement of C for admission. Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations.

Study structure

Content

Plant Production Systems, focusing on:
• Flowers, fruits, berries and vegetables
• Cereal, fibre and oil plants and diverse fodder plants
• Environmentally sustainable growing methods
• Physiological processes in plants, affected by external conditions (nutrients, temperature, light and daylength)
• How plant breeding are used to meet the marked

Plant Biotechnology, focusing on:
• Understanding of plants function, and how the environment and climate effects on their functions
• Genetics and molecular methods

Plant Protection, focusing on:
• Biology of plant pests, diseases and weeds
• Methods and strategies for protecting plants from pest organisms and reducing competition from weeds

 

 

Study content

Social relevance:

Globally and domestic, there is increasing need for competence in many areas involving plant science, such as production of plants for food, fodder and ornament, plant health, product quality and health aspects, development of green areas for recreation and sport, maintenance of cultural landscape and development of vital rural communities. Globally, the production of sufficient food and its distribution constitutes a considerable challenge whilst global climate changes will affect the possibilities for food production in many regions. Plant production presents considerable challenges environmentally and as users demand more freedom of choice there will be more focus on production systems. To increase food production in a changing climate and under strict environmental regultations will require enormous effort in research and practice. Research in all areas of plant production will also need to give increasing attention to the importance of food for health, and diet as a preventative measure for disease. In this respect, our green surroundings are also important, including green areas for sensory experiences and to stimulate physical activity. The plant science study programme connects the basic biology of plants with use of plants in practical agriculture and urban greening areas.

Learning outcomes:

A candidate who has completed the programme is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in competence, knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:

  • Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and knowledge of plants, plant production, biodiversity, growth factors, ecology and environmental impact associated with use of plants for food, feed or for ornamental and aesthetic purposes.
  • Display a thorough knowledge of issues in the entire value chain and have specialization in certain disciplines of plant science.
  • Identify problems and present solutions related to agriculture, crop production, urban greening and farmland.

Skills:

  • Apply knowledge to contribute to development, innovation and use of land area and plants in a sustainable manner, within an area of specialization.
  • Apply knowledge in new areas, work independently and collaborate across disciplines with practical and theoretical issues. Analyze and understand methods and theories related to the interaction between plants and growth factors and climate impacts on plants.
  • Analyze scientific issues on the basis of the history, traditions, character of the field, and societal needs
  • Be able to use relevant methods and carry out advanced projects.
  • Analyze, structure and think critically about information sources and scientific literature in the field.

Competencies:

  • Impact of plant use in a national and global context, at present and in a future perspective.
  • Master communication, team work and cooperation academically, national and international.
  • Engage in public debate in a professional manner, while maintaining respect and humility for the opinions of others.
  • Conduct an independent and limited research under the guidance and with a reflected ethical stance on global imbalances with regard to the exploitation of resources.
  • Communicate independent work in academic fora using Norwegian and English terminology within the academic field.
  • Should be able to participate in discussions within their specialization with specialists and the general public.

Qualifications after graduation:

Contents and structure:

The Master`s degree comprises 120 credits (ECTS). For all areas of study this must include at least 30 credits at the 300 level and a compulsory thesis of 30 or 60 credits. Students must set up an education plan in consultation with the study advisor or in consultation with the thesis supervisor. Students must ensure that they have the prerequisite knowledge needed to take compulsory courses. A student may include one or two courses totaling 10 credits of 100-level in their degree. Relevant topics are BOT130 Plant Physiology (5 credits), GEO100 Geology (10 credits), JORD101 Soil Science (5 credits) or STAT100 Statistics (10 credits). Students select one of the following four specializations (three taught in English and one in Norwegian): 1) Plant Production Systems, 2) Plant Protection, 3) Plant Biotechnology and 4) Urban Greening (Norwegian). The Master includes the following compulsory courses at the 300 level within the various programs:

Specialization Plant Production Systems: A minimum of 30 credits must be selected from the following topics: PJH300 Sustainable Production Systems, PJH340 Quality in Food Plants, PJH350 Applied Plant Physiology in Greenhouses, BIO324 Plant adaptation, PJH360 Term paper in plant production, PLV321 Plant Pathology, PLV330 Insect-plant relationsships, PLV340 Weed biology and weed-crop relationships.

In specialization Plant Protection: A minimun of one of the following: PLV321 Plant Pathology, PLV330 Insect-plant relationsships, PLV340 Weed biology or weed-crop relationships. In addition, the student must select a minimum of 20 credits among: BIO300 Microscopy Techniques, BIO324 Plant adaptation, PJH300 Sustainable Production Systems, PJH340 Quality in Food Plants, PJH360 Term paper in plant production or ZOOL300 Ecological Entomology.

In specialization Plant Biotechnology: A minimum of 30 credits must be selected from the following courses: BIO300 Microscopy Techniques, BIO321 Population Genetics and Molecular Evolution, BIO320 Developmental Biology, BIO324 Plant adaptation, BIO350 In situ RNA hybridisation techniques, BIO351 Genetically modified plants-case study or BOT320 Advanced Course in Plant Developmental Physiology.

In specialization Urban Greening: PHG316 Urban greening and landscape management and 10 credits related to green environment (ECOL350 Restoration Ecology, LAØ370 Landscape Ecology or SKS300 Forest Ecology). In addition, the courses PHG213 Landscape Plants, identification and characteristics, PHG215 Landscape Plants, establishment and maintenance, PLV210 Plant protection in Urban Horticulture LAA221 Professional Course I, TMPA220 Landscape Engineering, Plant Establishment and Management and BOT240 Plant Ecophysiology or BOT200 Plant Physiology should be included in the course portfolio, either from bachelor degree or taken as part of the Master's study. The title agronomist: If conscious choice of courses in the elective course portfolio awarded the title agronomist after degree. The courses are presented in the curriculum for the Bachelor and Master in Plant Sciences.

Evaluation:

The programme utilises both continuous evaluation and final exams. Evaluation is mainly based on individual performance. Emphasis is put on the students`` ability to work independently, but group performance may also be used in evaluations. Courses with a high proportion of field and laboratory work will to a large degree be evaluated continuously (field reports, laboratory journals, etc.) both in groups and individually. Semester assignments (with continuous evaluation) can make up the entire grade or part of it in several courses taken in the Master's degree. Many courses at the 300 level have a final exam (oral or written) in addition to the independent work. The Master's thesis will be evaluated, and a final grade will be given after an oral discussion with the examiner(s).

Cooperation with other institutions:

There is cooperation with different institutions, including Nofima (Norwegian Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research) and NIBIO (Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research) on 300-level courses and Master`s thesis work.

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

The program is flexible with regard to students from other campuses. An individual study plan is set up for the Master studies when the student is enrolled and has contacted us. Some courses at the 200 and 300 level will be given in English on request. These are marked in the study catalog. You may also take individual course work in English or Norwegian. The specialization Urban Greening is taught in Norwegian only.

Admission requirements:

You can find general information on admission to NMBU here: https://www.nmbu.no/en/studies/admission. Bachelor's degree in plant science, biology, biotechnology or equivalent education (with average of C) that includes basic knowledge of math, chemistry, plant physiology and natural resources. The specialisation `Urban Greening` require knowledge about Norwegian conditions. For students with a bachelor degree in Landscape Engineering, chemistry coursework corresponding to KJM100 is required.

Learning activities:

The study is based in the natural sciences, which is utilised in connection with applied plant science. Theory and practice are combined to develop good problem-solving skills. The study is a combination of lectures, teaching in laboratory and field, excursions, seminars, group work and independent work. The specialisation Plant Production Systems will be build up with a new portefolio of courses where more subjects are intergrated in the same course. This will give a more holistic understandig and at the same time possiblity for new teaching methods. The thesis is an independent study / research work under the guidance.

Studies abroad:

Up to 60 credits can be completed abroad. NMBU has exchange agreements with several relevant universities, par example University of Viterbo, Italy, University of Bordeaux, France, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA, Lincoln University, New Zealand . The Department of Plant Sciences has contacts with foreign research institutions that can be potential host institutions. A plan for study abroad is approved in consultation between the student and study advisor.

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

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