Agricultural Sciences (B.Sc.)

Features

Theory and practice: The Bachelor's degree programme in Agricultural Sciences deals with fundamental knowledge of natural sciences as well as the economic and social structures of agriculture. The programme provides the scientific foundations for the analysis of the development of the agricultural sector. Thus it makes a vital contribution to worldwide food security on the basis of sustainable cultivation systems. A successfully completed degree qualifies the student for numerous Master's degree programmes at universities worldwide - also in related subjects depending upon one's focus.

Name:: Agricultural Sciences
Degree:: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Teaching language:: German
Standard period of study:: 6 semesters
Start of studies:: Every winter semester
Admission:: open admission (enrolment without previous application)
Orientation events:: Orientation events are offered
Pre-course:: Pre-courses are offered

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What can I expect from studying Agriculture Sciences in Göttingen?

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences with its broad and diverse range of more than 30 scientific institutions - divided into the Departments of Animal Sciences, Crop Sciences and Agricultural Economics and Rural Development - offers a wide range of study fields and specialisations.

Due to the modularisation of the programme, it is possible to choose one of the study specialisations already after the third semester.

The modularisation has the following advantages:

one-semester courses
tests at the end of each module
continuous monitoring of performance by determining the current grade average point

The successful completion of our programmes lead to the internationally recognised Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree.

In the Bachelor's programme, one of five specialisations is eligible after the third semester (agribusiness, crop science, animal sciences, resource management or economic and social sciences of agriculture).

In addition to the lectures, there are various tutorials in which students can deepen their knowledge of specific topics in smaller study groups. For example, the module "Practical course in anatomy and physiology of livestock" in the first semester, where students can dissect tissues and organs on their own.

Working groups, which are organised by students, offer the opportunity to participate in interesting excursions as well as attend interesting lectures by external lecturers and provide the opportunity to get actively involved:

Dairy Industry
Arable farming
Horse
Pig
International Affairs

The Erasmus programme also makes it possible for research projects and university partnerships to spend semesters abroad in many countries.

What requirements do I need for studying agricultural sciences?

The most important prerequisite is an interest in agriculture and related fields (environment, nature, agricultural policy, etc.)

In order to be admitted to study agricultural sciences, you need an university entrance qualification. It can be obtained through various school tracks, but also through a specific vocational training.

Do I need an internship before I start my studies?

Prospective students without an agricultural background are strongly recommended to do an internship or alternatively to do an agricultural apprenticeship prior to their studies in order to be able to classify the contents of the course of studies thematically and to understand contexts and procedures in advance. If the requirements are met, an internship that was completed before enrolment can also be recognised as part of the curriculum.

However, an internship before the studies is (in most cases) not mandatory. For the admission to the Bachelor thesis, however, a 6-month internship must be completed by the 5th semester. There are various possibilities for this which are listed in more detail on the page of the Internship Office.

What opportunities do I have to specialize in my studies?

The possibilities for specialisation after the foundation study period (1st to 3rd semester) are very diverse in Göttingen. In principle, the following specialisations are offered for the main study period (4th to 6th semester):

The modularisation of the course of studies allows students to specialise further within the fields of study by choosing certain modules. List of electives (in German).

Possible specialisations are, for example:

Animal Nutrition
Agricultural Economics
Plant Breeding
Agricultural Information Sciences
Animal Hygiene
Agribusiness
Molecular Biology
Aquaculture
Biometrics
Nature Conservation
Environmental Management
Finishing Industry
Quality Management
Water Ecology
Agricultural Engineering
Tropics and Subtropics or Agricultural Aromatology.

What makes Göttingen attractive as a place to study?

In addition to studying at a renowned agricultural science faculty, the city itself offers many amenities that speak for Göttingen. Due to the large proportion of students in the total population, the city also lives from the University.

Various cultural activities for young people as well as pubs, green spaces and an excellent range of University sports activities make it possible for students to develop not only professionally, but also personally and to socialize and make many new contacts, also with students from other countries. In addition, there is a wide range of dedicated university groups on many different topics.

What are possible career perspectives with a degree in agricultural sciences?

The different career paths with a degree in agricultural science are enormously diverse. Many graduates go into one of the following areas:

Service Sector/Scientific Institutions/Agribusiness
upstream sector of Agriculture (e.g. fertiliser/plant breeding)
Agriculture
downstream sector of Agriculture (e.g. trade, food industry)
outside agribusiness (e.g. banks, insurance companies)

In all the fields of employment listed above, new interdisciplinary questions arise again and again, which are answered through study and future-oriented research. Current topics are for example:

Breeding new cereal varieties with constant yields under different environmental influences
Species-appropriate husbandry of farm animals
Use of risk management strategies to reduce the economic impact of fluctuations in primary agricultural production
The positioning of agricultural companies on the international agricultural market
the sensible use of regenerative energies

Further information on career paths and qualifications (in German)

Consecutive/graduate programmes

Features

Structure

Specialisations

The program is divided into the foundation study period (1st - 3rd semester) and a main study period (4th - 6th semester) and comprises a total of 180 credits including the bachelor thesis (12 credits).

In the main study period you decide on one of five specialisations. You can choose between:

For each of the 5 specializations the 13 modules - 78 credits - are divided into 4 blocks.

Structure

Food Chain Management includes the economically principles of the management of the entire value chain in food industry (from the input industry to food retailing). Global Food Security introduces students to a range of global issues related to the world food problems, the various forms of malnutrition, and sustainable food systems.

This module deals with the most important physiological, ethological and technical and technical principles of livestock systems.

In block A, 5 elective modules are to be completed depending on your specialisation.

Study specialisations:

Amount: 30 Credits

In block B you have to complete a total of 4 elective modules depending on your major field of study.

Study specialisations:

Amount: 18 Credits

In Block C, key competencies amounting to 12 credits depending on your specialisation must be completed.

Study specialisations:

Amount: 12 Credits

In Block D, 2 elective modules with a total of 18 credits must be completed.

All modules from the Bachelor's programme in Agricultural Sciences that were not credited in blocks A to C are valid.

Amount: 18 Credits

With the bachelor thesis you write a scientific paper independently. Modules from the course offerings prepare you specifically for writing the thesis.

Amount: 12 Credits

In this module the basics of botany are taught, which can be applied in the field of agricultural sciences.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

In this module students acquire instrumental, systematic and communicative skills in the fields of cytology, histology, classical and molecular genetics, anatomy and physiology of domestic animals. In the field of anatomy and physiology, emphasis is placed on organ systems relevant to agricultural sciences.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

In this module you acquire the basic knowledge of chemistry and physics and can apply this knowledge in other fields.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

You will learn important concepts of business administration and be familiar with essential business decision situations. You will acquire the methodological tools to solve practical decision-making problems and will be able to apply basic analysis and planning tools in practice. This module focuses on the individual farm or forest enterprise and introduces you to the economic problems that arise in its management.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

This lecture serves as a basis for several advanced modules in advanced studies and is intended to refresh and deepen mathematical and statistical knowledge. A large number of practical examples will help to understand the theoretical concepts.

Module examination: Written test (60 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

The course provides both the business fundamentals of management throughout the value chain of the food industry and basic agricultural economics theories and methods. In addition to microeconomic questions, approaches of behavioural decision research are taught.

Module examination: Written tests (2x 45 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

You can either learn the basic physical knowledge about equipment and technical facilities in animal production (buildings) or deepen your knowledge about machines, equipment and technical facilities in plant production (cultivation). This includes the basics of agricultural engineering in livestock farming or process engineering for plant production as well as physical principles from the fields of thermodynamics, fluid theory or mechanics.

Module examination: Written test (60 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

Students learn about the basics of animal nutrition and animal hygiene. With this starting point they can assess subject-specific problems and develop independent solutions for the field of livestock science.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

Knowledge in phytomedicine on the causes of damage in plant cultivation and measures to avoid them will be acquired as well as basic knowledge of the characteristics of nutrients in the soil and in the plant and methods of determining fertilisation requirements will be derived from this. You will learn about current problems in plant protection, develop approaches to solutions and apply the knowledge gained in practice.

Module examination: Written tests (2x 45 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

Here you will learn extensive skills and competences up to language level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. A main focus is on the agricultural context.

Module examination: Written and oral exams

Amount: 6 Credits

This module contains agro-ecological basics and basic knowledge of institutions, environmental and resource economics are taught.

Module examination: 2x Written tests (45 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

In this module, knowledge of soil science as the basis of agricultural production and ecosystems is acquired. The most important soil genetic processes of Central European soils can be classified in this way and the importance of controlling the N-P-C substance cycles via the soil can be assessed.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

The module gives an introduction to both the economic analyses of agricultural markets and the design and effects of agricultural policies. The aim of the lectures is to enable students to use economic concepts to understand and analyse the interdependencies of effects on agricultural markets and agricultural policy.

Module examination: Prerequisites (30 minutes) + Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

In this lecture you will learn about the most important physiological, ethological and hygienic basics of animal husbandry. Based on this knowledge you will be able to assess and evaluate different husbandry systems. In addition, the most important methodological basics of animal husbandry such as heredity models, population genetics and quantitative genetics as well as selection theory are taught.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

Students learn the botanical relationships between soil, plants and the environment. They will be able to use the possibilities of crop production for yield formation, but also to evaluate the ecological restrictions of crop production systems and to integrate these into the crop production processes. Using a two-factorial experiment as an example, they learn to correctly interpret interactions in crop production systems both technically and mathematically-statistically.

Module examination: Written test (90 minutes)

Amount: 6 Credits

Regulations and module directory

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Study Guide

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Details

Application

Admission

Start:: Winter semester only

1st subject semester:: open admission (enrolment without previous application)
2nd to 6th subject semester:: open admission (enrolment without previous application)