14.09.2022
Overview
Farming, Agriculture, Viniculture
The agricultural sciences are concerned with the economic use and care of the soil through crop production and animal husbandry. This also includes viticulture (oenology) and the further processing of agricultural products such as dairy farming.
The study field at a glance
The agronomy course leads to advisory, technical and administrative activities, less often to a practical activity as a farmer. It builds on scientific, technical, economic and social science subjects, but also discusses the use of electronic control devices for optimal production.
In today's agriculture, phytomedicine, the study of plant diseases and damage as well as their prevention, is essential.
Organic crop production and species-appropriate livestock farming, an environmentally friendly use of artificial fertilizers (e.g. for water protection) as well as a comprehensive agricultural education, which in addition to basics of organic farming knowledge in the field of marketing, corporate governance and product quality convey (e.g. degree program "organic farming and marketing"), have a high priority.
Offered courses
Universities of applied sciences and universities offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees in agricultural sciences. This also includes subjects that prepare for a specific area, such as fishing, horse farming or viticulture. There are also some interdisciplinary programs focusing on economic (agricultural management) or biological (agricultural biology) aspects. In the master's program specializations are possible, for example in the field of international wine economics, agricultural economics or agricultural marketing.
Contents of the course
The bachelor's program includes module offers for the basic scientific and socio-scientific skills: botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, agricultural meteorology, mathematics and statistics, and resource conservation. Subject-specific modules are e.g. Farm management, plant nutrition and phytopathology, plant cultivation / breeding and grassland management, animal breeding and animal husbandry, feed science, soil science, agricultural engineering, agricultural policy and market theory.
There are opportunities for further study in the master's program, for example in the fields of crop science, livestock science, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics and agribusiness, environmental sciences of agricultural landscapes, environmental and resource management, fisheries science. In addition, there are comprehensive modules such as agricultural computer science, specialist communication and counseling.
Internships are an integral part of the degree course at colleges and universities. At colleges, a full internship semester is usually carried out. All countries require at least 12 months of internships to enter the preparatory service for the higher-level advisory and technical teaching service in the field of agriculture or agriculture, including teaching.
Admission criteria & course application
At universities of applied sciences and universities, pre-practical training is often required. These range between several weeks and several months and can often be replaced by vocational training or at least shortened.
Possible careers after graduation
Employment opportunities for graduates can be found in agricultural associations and organizations, such as Farmers' associations, machine and factory rings, zootechnical associations, producer groups.
In addition, agricultural engineers are involved in experimental and research departments of companies engaged in plant protection and fertilizer production, plant and seed breeding and food production, in consultation and distribution with agricultural machinery, seed, crop protection and fertilizer manufacturers, in the export and training as well as development aid.
Further fields of activity are opened up in authorities of the agricultural administration and the agricultural investigation, e.g. in federal and state ministries, agencies for agriculture and land development, chambers of agriculture, agricultural research and research institutes and state authorities for plant protection.
Graduates of the degree program in International Wine Management are predominantly employed in the management of companies in the wine and beverage industry.
