Academic Study Programme in Agriculture – Agronomy
Slovenia needs highly qualified professionals in the field of agriculture, capable of interdisciplinary linkage of natural science, technical, economic and social sub- jects for work in the field of sustainable development, sustainable management of the agricultural space and production of safe and functional food. The basic aim of the Academic Study Programme in Agriculture - Agron- omy is to educate professionals who understand the in- terdisciplinary nature of the profession, who master the basic research methods of natural science, technol- ogy, economics and social science and are able to apply them in sustainable agricultural development, with an emphasis on plant production. The knowledge, qualifi- cations and skills acquired enable both a continuation of study in a second cycle master’s study programme and employment. Graduates are qualified for basic planning, organization, management and implementation of tech- nological processes and maintenance services in plant production. The fulltime study programme is provid- ed as contact methods of work, individual consultations with a professor or an assistant and independent student work. Additional help for students will be provided by mentors and tutors. Most courses are provided in blocks not exceeding one term. Extensive main courses will also include regular tests. The goal of the various pedagogi- cal methods and active participation of students is flu- ent transition from year to year. Students must therefore participate in all contact methods of work and complete all the study requirements. The Academic Study Pro- gramme in Agriculture - Agronomy lasts for three years and has a workload of 180 credits. After successful com- pletion of the study requirements, students obtain a uni- versity academic degree in agronomy. Graduates can be employed in agricultural plant production (manager of production line, organizer, supervisor), in the field of marketing and services (marketing fresh fruit and veg- etables, ornamental plants and other agricultural plants and production materials), in the public sector (chamber of agriculture, supervisory organizations, administration, etc) or as independent producers and advisors.
Professional Study Programme in Agriculture – Agronomy and Horticulture
The Professional Study Programme in Agriculture - Agronomy and Horticulture is adapted to the needs of Slovenia in the field of food production, especially the production of healthy and safe food, while preserving the agricultural space and cultural landscape, population and jobs in rural areas. The main aim of the programme is to train and qualify professionals who are able to link basic achievements in natural sciences, technology and the economy to the circumstances of a market econo- my and use them for the sustainable production of high quality, safe and healthy food, while preserving the cul- tural landscape. The programme is organized in such a way as to familiarize students with natural science sub- jects and basic technologies and then to offer speciali- zation in agronomic and horticultural fields. The great majority of elective subjects provide further specializa- tion or prepare a student for second cycle master’s study programmes. Full-time study is conducted by means of contact forms of work, as individual consultations with professors or assistants, and through a student’s individ- ual work. Additional help is provided by mentors and tu- tors. The course is constructed in blocks of one term at most. Main courses also include regular tests of knowl- edge gained. The Professional Study Programme in Ag- riculture – Agronomy and Horticulture lasts for three years and comprises 180 credits. The programme consists of two modules: Horticulture and Agronomy. Gradu- ates obtain a professional degree in agronomy and hor- ticulture. Graduates can work in the production of field crops, turfs, tree nurseries, vegetables, fruit, vines, wine, herbs, ornamental plants etc. They can be employed in public communal services, botanical gardens, landscape parks and economic organizations (agricultural pro- duction, processing, trade in agricultural repromaterial and products), independent businesses or as specialized farmers who market their own products and try to adapt to globalization processes.
Master Study Programme (Second cycle) – Agronomy
1. Brief presentation of the discipline
In recent decades, the role of agriculture has broad- ened, since in addition to the production of healthy food, it is increasingly important for ensuring sustaina- ble development, which is directly linked to environmen- tal protection. The Master Study Programme in Agronomy reflects such a role of agriculture, which links in-depth knowl- edge in the field of classical agronomy disciplines, field crops, pasturing and forage crops, with naturalistic and environmentally based agriculture.
2. Basic aims of the study programme
The basic aim of the study programme is to deepen knowledge and methods from the area of the natural foundations and technological procedures of crop pro- duction, inseparably linked with integral management of the agricultural space and environmental conservation. Masters obtain in depth knowledge of natural scienc- es, which is the basis of modern technologies of agri- cultural production and environmental conservation, professional competences in the sphere of field and for- age crops, and professional and methodological knowl- edge for managing the agricultural space and protection of the environment. They are also qualified for research work in these fields.
3. Employment opportunities for graduates
Masters of Agronomy can be employed on region- al, national and international levels in public and private foundations and companies involved in agricultural pro- duction, the production and sale of agricultural products or with spatial planning and environmental questions connected with agriculture, with environmental pro- tection, with research, education and advisory work in the sphere of agriculture and the environment, as well as in administration, politics and non-governmental organisations.