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Plant Production Science (MScPPS) – (M.Sc.)
University of Helsinki
Masters Programmes in English
| Application Deadline: | January 31 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | Free - | ||
| Location: | Helsinki / Finland / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | August, September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Helsinki
The Master's Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS) provides students with an advanced understanding of the principles of sustainable plant production. It also provides the knowledge needed for further development of plant production in response to rapidly changing challenges in the food and agricultural sector. The focus of MScPPS studies ranges from molecular and cell biology to agroecology and food production systems.
MScPPS is organized by the Department of Agricultural Sciences in close co-operation with the Nordic NOVA University Network, research institutes, and industry. The high quality and international impact of the research in the Department of Agricultural Sciences makes the studying environment innovative and guarantees up-to-date high-quality teaching. The research areas at the department include agrobiodiversity, food system analysis, response of cultivated plants to environmental stresses, managing crop yield and quality, plant-based bioenergy, phytoremediation, conservation of genetic resources, molecular basis of flower development, secondary metabolism in plants, and plant-pathogen interactions.
The programme offers five specialist options: Agroecology, Crop Science, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, and Plant Pathology. You also have an opportunity to specialise in Plant Virology or in Nordic Plant Pathology studies within Plant Pathology.
In addition, between 2007 and 2012, a total of 10 students can be admitted from the Nicaragua-Finland Agrobiotechnology Programme (NIFAPRO) funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. NIFAPRO teaching at the Department of Agricultural Sciences is organized in close collaboration with the MScPPS programme.
The MScPPS programme is designed for students who possess a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, horticultural or biological sciences and who want to gain further expertise in ecological sustainability of agriculture and food systems, crop production, horticulture, and plant breeding and pathology.
The acquired academic expertise in the MScPPS programme qualifies for a broad range of employment opportunities in the public and private sector both in Finland and abroad. Studies in the programme develop interdisciplinary knowledge and skills needed in careers in plant-related academic research, industry, extension and consultation, and education.
Contents
The Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS) lasts two years and consists of General studies (20 ECTS credits), Major subject studies (70-75 credits including the 40-credit Master’s Thesis), and Other studies related to the chosen specialization (25-30 credits). A combination of lecture and practical courses is available in all specialisation lines. In all cases, we expect you to have some prior knowledge in botany, plant physiology, biochemistry, and genetics.
The programme offers five specialist options under the major subject of Plant Production Sciences (responsible professor in parenthesis) :
* Agroecology (Prof. Juha Helenius)
* Crop Science (Prof. Pirjo Mäkelä)
* Horticulture (Prof. Paula Elomaa)
* Plant Breeding (Prof. Teemu Teeri)
* Plant Pathology (Prof. Jari Valkonen)
There is also an opportunity to specialise in Plant Virology or in Nordic Plant Pathology studies within Plant Pathology
You choose your specialist option during the first autumn term of your studies. All instruction is given in English.
Agroecology
Agroecology serves sustainable development in agriculture and food systems, with the focus on ecological sustainability. The courses focus on agroecosystems, agrobiodiversity, and production systems. Issues of adaptive management of natural resources in agriculture, food system analysis, as well as ecological foundations of food security are included. We expect you to have prior knowledge of agricultural sciences, especially of plant production, agricultural technology or environmental sciences relating to agriculture and food systems, along with some understanding of ecology, geography, industrial ecology or systems analysis.
Crop Science
Crop scientists investigate plant physiological responses at the whole-crop, plant, cell or molecular scale. We aim to understand the genetic, morphological, physiological, biochemical and ecological properties of cultivated plants in order to manage their responses to different environmental stresses and growth factors. We seek to provide solutions for producing optimum crop quality in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner. The courses focus on the responses of cultivated plants to environmental stresses, the development of their yield and the possibilities to affect their quality. For this specialty, you need a basic understanding of agricultural sciences, agricultural technology or environmental botany.
Horticulture
Training in horticulture provides students with a basic knowledge of the production and storage of horticultural crops: fruits, berries, vegetables and ornamentals. The main emphasis is on the biological aspects of horticulture including the molecular level. The courses embrace cultivation techniques and their effects on the quality and quantity of crops and on the environment. The teaching aims to educate students to find, produce, evaluate and apply new information related to horticulture. Studies include practical working experience in the horticultural industry. Studies of horticulture can also be supported with studies in economics, technology, biotechnology and environmental protection.
Plant Breeding
Plant Breeding is the application of genetics to plant improvement, increasing crop productivity and quality, improving adaptation to stresses and to climatic change, and advancing sustainability. Plant breeding is conducted in an environment of rapidly changing technology and volatile public opinion. Courses cover the basics of plant genetics and population genetic methods as applied to plant breeding. In addition, plant breeding also utilizes modern molecular and biotechnological methods. Studies include practical laboratory and summer courses, along with training in plant breeding organizations. You should have a good grounding in genetics.
Plant Pathology
The main area of study in Plant Pathology is the interaction between the host plant and its pathogen (fungus, bacterium or virus) and its influence on plant physiology, resulting in either disease or resistance. These interactions are examined at all biological levels, from molecules to the ecosystem, and allow the development of the means for control of plant diseases. The courses include the biology and ecology of plant pathogens, the spread of diseases, and recognition and control of their consequences. The most harmful plant pathogens in crop production and horticulture are identified using morphological and molecular methods. The knowledge lays the foundation for economically and ecologically sustainable plant protection. You should have basic knowledge of plant production, soil sciences, ecology, and molecular biology.
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Requirements
Eligible applicants
Applicants, who have at least a Bachelor’s degree or another same level degree in a relevant field from Finland or abroad, can apply to the MBIOT-programme. Applicants, who will graduate after the application deadline, can be accepted conditionally. Conditionally accepted applicants must submit a certificate of the undergraduate degree together with enrolment documents by July 31, 2012.
Language requirements
All applicants need to submit a certification of their English language skills.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade C (Score: 60) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 580 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 92 |
Accreditation
Finnish Universities are accredited by the law. Universities are responsible for the quality and continuous development of their education and other operations. Legislation also requires them to regularly perform external evaluations of their operations and quality systems and to publish the results of such evaluations. Finnish HEIs decide on their own quality systems, and the comprehensiveness, functioning and effectiveness of the systems are evaluated in the audits, which are valid for six years.
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You can contact International Admissions Services to ask a question about Plant Production Science (MScPPS) at University of Helsinki.
Relevant Links
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- University Admissions Finland
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- Student experiences about Finland - STeXX.eu
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