Modern biology enables detailed study of the genetics and physiology of plants. When combined with new technical methods of analysis, the production of crops and trees can be studied from molecular level to farm and forest level. This Master’s programme is designed to educate the next generation of plant biologists, enabling them to develop plant-based solutions to complex problems within agriculture and forestry.
The courses are taught by internationally renowned experts in plant biology and sustainable agriculture and forestry. The programme utilises resources from SLU’s main campuses. During the first year, all lectures are live-streamed so that students can follow the courses from dedicated classrooms on campus in Alnarp or Ultuna. In the second year, students will specialise in one of the following fields:
- plant breeding and protection
- abiotic and biotic interactions of cultivated plants
Students who complete the programme are awarded a Master’s degree (120 credits) which enables students to apply for doctoral studies as well as work in the industry or for public authorities, with a focus on sustainable solutions for our future society.
As the programme is aimed at students from various academic backgrounds, it begins with introductory courses in which students obtain basic knowledge of plant biology and molecular genetics as a foundation for other courses. The introduction also covers general skills such as referencing and sustainable development.
In their first year, students will take three courses which will provide them with deepened knowledge of subjects that are of importance to sustainable crop production, providing a progression in the subject.
The elective courses give students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and specialise in an area of plant biology of their choice, e.g., plant protection and plant breeding to handle climate change, plants’ interaction with their surroundings and how they are affected by abiotic and biotic factors, or forestry and how biotechnology and breeding can be used to produce renewable biomaterials from forests.
The programme is taught in English.
Specialisations
The programme has two specialisations.
The specialisations are coordinated during the first academic year, and students take foundation courses that give a solid basis in plant biology for continued studies during year 2, as well as providing training in general areas. The students can take these courses in Alnarp or Uppsala.
In year 2, students choose one of the specialisations:
- Plant Protection and Breeding (Alnarp)
- Abiotic and Biotic Interactions of Cultivated Plants (Uppsala)
The specialisations build on the world-leading competence at SLU and complement one another.
The students are expected to acquire knowledge of important research, development and methods with respect to plants used for sustainable crop production and thereby be able to work independently with related questions in agriculture and forestry, horticulture, industry, biotechnology and the environment.
The skills acquired on the programme include demonstrating the ability to independently, critically and creatively identify and formulate issues that concern the life processes of plants. All qualitative targets are covered during the foundation courses during the first year, as well as the independent project.
Read the syllabus.
