Sustainable International Agriculture (M.Sc.)

The profile “International Agribusiness and Rural Development Economics” within the MSc program “Sustainable International Agriculture” trains students to analyse socio-economic interactions between individuals, resources and markets in agriculture using up-to-date quantitative and qualitative methods. Students acquire the tools they need to contribute to the provision of answers to vital questions ranging from the macro-level (e.g. global hunger, the world trade system) to the meso-level (e.g. the structure and performance of national and international food chains; food safety and quality issues) and the micro-level (e.g. the efficiency of agricultural production, participation and poverty at the household level) in agricultural systems.

Four compulsory modules must be taken (24 ECTS): World agricultural markets and trade, Econometrics I, Socioeconomics of rural development and food security, Sustainable International Agriculture: basic principles and approaches. Five compulsory elective modules (3o ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (you can also choose elective modules from the list of so far not attended compulsory elective modules or B-level language courses totalling 6C may be considered once as electives, provided that the course is not English or the student's native language)

The profile “International Organic Agriculture” within the MSc program “Sustainable International Agriculture” offers students the unique possibility to focus entirely on Organic Agriculture. It includes the broad range of topics from soil, crop and animal sciences, as well as environmental, social and economic sciences. You will be asked to: Examine and assess the validity of literature from the natural and social sciences, statistics and other documents. Use state-of-the art statistical techniques to analyse ‘hard‘ and ‘soft‘ data. Apply laboratory methods, technical procedures and qualitative / quantitative approaches of data collection. Interpret and display research data. Apply your skills in the context of international and organic agriculture and agroecosystems‘ assessment.

One bridging module and four compulsory modules must be taken (30 ECTS): Soil and plant science (bridging module), Organic livestock farming under temperate and tropical conditions, Organic cropping systems under temperate and (sub)tropical conditions, Applied statistical modelling, Sustainable International Agriculture: basic principles and approaches. Four compulsory elective modules (24 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module and one economic module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (you can also choose elective modules from the list of so far not attended compulsory elective modules or B-level language courses totalling 6C may be considered once as electives, provided that the course is not English or the student's native language)).

The profile “Tropical Agriculture” within the MSc program “Sustainable International Agriculture” aims at qualifying students to become open minded, well trained professionals in sustainable agricultural land use of integrated tropical and subtropical agro-ecosystems. A wide range of modules in soil, plant, animal and socio-economic sciences as well as method-oriented classes confer skills for in-depth analysis, understanding and possible modification of existing farming systems in the wake of need for a resource efficient production of agricultural goods that responds to the challenges of population growth, globalisation and climate change in a site-specific way. A bi-annual two-week excursion to a tropical country (e.g. Oman, Mexico, Kenya, and Thailand), and participation in on-going long-term field research projects of different faculty members allow you to test and apply your skills under real conditions while collecting credits.

One bridging module and four compulsory modules must be taken (30 ECTS): Soil and plant science (bridging module), Tropical animal husbandry systems, Crops and production systems in the tropics, Applied statistical modelling, Sustainable International Agriculture: basic principles and approaches (30 ECTS). Four compulsory elective modules (24 ECTS) must be chosen (among these, at least one methodological module). Six elective modules (36 ECTS) are to be chosen (you can also choose elective modules from the list of so far not attended compulsory elective modules or B-level language courses totalling 6C may be considered once as electives, provided that the course is not English or the student's native language).

Agricultural sciences and rural development are the central components of international development cooperation and world trade. In both fields, there is a growing need for qualified employees, including especially organic agriculture. Career opportunities include:

• European and international agricultural administration and consultancy
• Organic agriculture
• Economic sectors related to agriculture
• International organisations
• Science and research