Admission requirements and assessment of previously acquired knowledge/competences
Art.1 Entry Requirements
In order to attend a second-level degree course in International Horticulture profitably it is necessary to have acquired
- knowledge in basic scientific disciplines concerning technological and economic aspects related to vegetable crops and fruit tree production;
-basic knowledge of genetics and biology;
-basic knowledge of mechanical engineering and hydraulic and rural construction;
-basic knowledge of plant protection against pests and diseases;
-role and significance of microorganisms in environmental sections;
-basic knowledge of mathematics, physics and chemistry.
First or second level Bachelor's degree from an Italian University
Admission to a second-level degree course is subject to passing a test proving satisfactory personal academic preparation as specified above, to be carried out according to the methods, criteria and procedures indicated in the admission publication (A student's personal academic preparation may match the curricular requirements. However, it is necessary to specify the assessment methods).
Moreover, the following entry requirements must be met in order to be admitted to a second-level degree course:
1.- a degree in one of the following classes, or an academic qualification obtained and recognised as being suitable:
As per Ministry Decree 270:
Class L 25 Agricultural and forestry sciences and technologies
As per Ministry Decree 509/99:
Class 20- Agricultural, agri-food and forestry sciences and technologies
previous four-year University system
Degree in agricultural sciences (former system)
Foreign students must have a Bachelor of Science degree with 180 ECTS in Life Sciences (i.e. Horticulture, Agriculture, Forestry and Biology)
2. acquisition of at least 5 ECTS academic credits in one or more of the following scientific/subject areas:
AGR01 5 ECTS
AGR03 5 ECTS
AGR11 5 ECTS
AGR12 5 ECTS
In the case of students who do not possess the required degree and/or credits as specified above, admission to a second-level degree course is subject to a preliminary assessment by a Commission of 3 researchers of the Faculty (2 Full or Associate Professor and 1 Assistant Professor), which will ascertain, by means of an interview, whether the student possesses the required knowledge and competencies. The Commission, appointed by the board for the second-level degree course, will schedule the interviews from September to December; the schedule will be published on the University's website. Italian students who received a final mark of less than 92 in the first-level Bachelor's degree program will be evaluated by means of a test proving personal academic preparation.
Tests will be held on the following dates:
23 September 2011, 9.30 a.m., Dipartimento di Colture arboree
30 September 2011, 2.30 p.m., Dipartimento di Colture arboree
11 November 2011, 2.30 p.m., Dipartimento di Colture arboree
16 December 2011, 9.30 a.m., Dipartimento di Colture arboree
If the Commission considers the level of the student's knowledge and competencies to be satisfactory, the student will be allowed to enrol in a second-level Degree Course in International Horticulture. Students will be considered to have a suitable personal academic preparation if they meet the curricular requirements, however this is ascertained.
At the time of enrolment, students must submit the following documents to the Segreteria Studenti:
- a copy of their bachelor's degree
- course transcripts and description
the above-mentioned documents must be brought to the Segreteria Studenti, Viale Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna
For details and information contact:
Dott. Francesco Spinelli
tel. +39 051/2096447
e-mail Francesco.spinelli3@unibo.it
Programme profile
This degree programme aims to produce highly qualified scientific professionals in the field of the design, management and assessment of tree production systems in an international context. Course students come from different Italian universities as well as from European and other foreign countries. All courses are delivered in the English language and offer the opportunity for exchange between professors and students and the possibility to actively participate in the specific agricultural issues of the various countries of origin of the students. Therefore the graduates from this degree programme must be able to work professionally and scientifically in one or more foreign languages.
As far as the study programme is concerned, students must acquire 120 ECTS credits, at least 60 of which must be from the University of Bologna. Students must also acquire a number of ECTS credits (minimum 30, maximum 60) from one of the four partner universities participating in the 2nd cycle degree programme in International Horticulture. Students will also have the opportunity to come into contact with the excellences of the various areas of the other universities. The Faculty of Agriculture of Bologna also runs courses in the field of “Sustainable and post-harvest crop techniques, horticultural protection and economics”. Students will also be able to produce an experimental dissertation in cooperation with the University of Bologna and one of the four partner universities. Students acquiring at least 30 ECTS credits from one of the foreign universities will also receive a foreign qualification.
Expected learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
2nd cycle degree programme graduates:
- will have scientific and applied knowledge in the fields of biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics which are indispensable for sound professional development;
- will have in-depth knowledge of the biotic and abiotic factors which govern the production and processing system processes and their impact on the environment, product quality and consumer health;
- will have in-depth knowledge of the main tree production systems;
- will have technical and organisational knowledge and laboratory skills for production chain quality control in the various fields of fruit crop production;
- will have in-depth scientific knowledge in the fields of genetic improvement, biology and applied physiology, in the use of real-time monitoring and management methods for sustainable fruit crop production processes.
The knowledge and understanding are achieved through participation in lectures, practical exercises, seminars, guided self-study and autonomous, individual study in the different fields of learning.
The achievement of the learning outcomes shall be assessed mainly through written and oral exams, tests and oral presentations supervised by the professor, all in the English language.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Graduates
- will have the ability to apply scientific study methods and use proven management skills in experimental and research activities in the fruit crop sector;
- will possess knowledge of the basic subjects which allow the application of problem solving strategies and the knowledge of production processes in an appropriate manner, considering the different needs and environments they are required to work in;
- will have the ability to apply the acquired technical and organisational skills to define quality and health issues for food crops;
- will have the ability to use IT tools for monitoring, modelling and other activities covered by the degree programme;
- will have the ability to design, manage and certify fruit production systems and processes, with particular emphasis on techniques with low environmental impact;
- will be able to establish programmes for the genetic improvement of fruit and vegetables that are appropriate to the environment and crop and protection requirements.
The achievement of the ability to apply this knowledge and understanding will be accomplished through the critical study of texts proposed for self-study, stimulated by classroom activities, the research of case studies and applications presented by the professors, practical laboratory work, computer study, field work, bibliographic research, individual and/or group projects related to the core or supplementary learning activities included in the programme, as well as through the preparation of the final examination carried out in cooperation between a professor of the University of Bologna, acting as main tutor, and a professor from one of the partner universities, acting as co-tutor.
The tests, written and oral exams, reports, practical work and problem solving activities imply the execution of specific tasks which aim to demonstrate the student's command of tools, methods and critical autonomy.
JUDGEMENT SKILLS:
Graduates:
- will be able to structure research and development programmes;
- will be able to work autonomously and take responsibility for projects and structures;
- will be able to define the best production techniques with a view to environmental protection;
- will be able to critically evaluate the problems relating to their professional activity and which may in particular concern the feasibility of horticultural development programmes in both advanced economies and emerging countries.
Judgement skills are developed in particular through practical exercises, supervised seminars and the preparation of papers as part of the activities assigned by the supervising professors (tutor and co-tutor) in preparation of the final dissertation.
The acquisition of judgement skills is assessed through the evaluation of the activities carried out in the various associated course seats and the evaluation of the students' ability to work autonomously as well as in groups during the activities assigned in preparation of the final examination.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Graduates:
- will be able to work professionally and scientifically in one or more foreign languages (English, Italian and/or German);
- will be able to actively use their skills to work with the different professional groups they collaborate with, both in countries with different levels of economy and with people of different levels of education;
- having completed all of the degree programme in the English language and having been in contact with different European cultures, they will have the ability to work jointly on projects and activities with foreign stakeholders in a European context.
Written and oral communication skills are developed in particular during seminars, practical exercises and learning activities which also require the production of reports and written documents as well as oral presentations in the English language. The acquisition of the above communication skills will also be assessed and evaluated through the production and presentation of the final dissertation in the English language.
LEARNING SKILLS:
Graduates:
- will have the ability to manage different information networks in order to be able to continue to learn and to pursue further studies in order to assure their own cultural improvement and professional development;
- will be able to identify the most appropriate instruments and learning paths to develop their own cultural and specialist knowledge, also through the possibility to interact with other European universities which offer courses in International horticulture, which are a precious source of continuing education.
Learning skills are acquired throughout the study periods spent at Bologna and the partner universities, particularly concerning self-study, the production of individual projects assigned and the final dissertation and examination.
Learning skills are evaluated through continuous assessment during the learning activities and during the final examination activities.