Crop Protection (M.Sc.)

The Division of Plant Protection at the UGOE enjoys a long-standing national and international reputation for its basic-applied approach in plant pathology, entomology and integrated crop protection. Research at Göttingen focuses on basic biological studies of pathogens, pests and weeds and on understanding their detrimental effects on crops. Special attention is given to major and emerging pest and disease problems in large arable crops such as cereals (wheat, barley and oats), oilseed rape, maize and rice. UGOE promotes a research-oriented teaching concept, with the aim of creating close links between research and teaching activities. In 2010 the international master's program in "Crop Protection" was launched UGOE's Crop Protection division is integrated into one of the largest agricultural science faculties in Germany, which provides students with additional subjects from disciplines related to crop sciences (plant breeding, plant nutrition, agronomy, soil science), which. allows students to specialize in Crop Protection and maintain a broader perspective of related fields within the systemic science of agriculture.

In the first semester, some more basic courses (Integrated Management of Pests and Diseases, Crop Production in Temperate Zones, Pesticides – Mode of Action and Application Techniques, Mycology, Weed Biology and Management, Statistics) are held.

In the second semester, the compulsory modules Scientific Working Methods (Basic Laboratory Techniques, Journal Club, Scientific Writing and Presenting) must be completed, as well as other modules such as Pests and Diseases in Temperate Zones, Molecular Weed Science and Basics of Molecular Biology in Crop Protection. During the subsequent semester break, the internship should be completed. In the third semester, courses such as the Internship Seminar, Virology, Pesticides – Toxicology, Metabolism, Regulation and Registration, or Plant Herbivore Interactions can be selected.

The last semester consists of a research project for the Master's thesis – including experiments, data collection and evaluation, as well as completion of the thesis. The thesis must be defended in a colloquium.

The internship exposes students to a first hands-on experience in laboratory or field research work. Students will work on scientific projects supplied by enterprises and research institutes. Students will be involved in a daily work situation, outside the university, acquire wisdom in their area of work as well as valuable skills such as work organisation, working in an interdisciplinary team, self-initiative, flexibility and team-communication.

The international and multidisciplinary Master program Crop Protection at the university of Göttingen provides students with broad research and analytical skills related to crop protection and opens to them a variety of employment areas:

• Postgraduate research
• Agricultural services
• Agricultural research institutions
• Universities
• International organizations and institutes
• Consulting companies
• Public administration and advisory boards
• Public and private research centers
• Agrochemical industry