AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Transcription

1 AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Class LM-73 of the Master degrees in Forest and Environmental Science and Technology DIRECTOR OF THE MASTER PROGRAMME Prof. Gian Attilio Sacchi Department of Crop Production Physiology of Cultivated Plants and Agricultural Chemistry Tel , COURSE OBJECTIVES The Master s Degree course in Agri-Environmental Science provides the Graduate with a thorough cultural and scientific education in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Economics. The specific objective of the degree course is to create a graduate with the scientific and technical tools for operating in the sectors of planning and management of the environment and of rural and forest land,combining economic efficient with the protection and development of natural resources. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ACQUIRED Graduates in Agri-Environmental Science have excellent scientific and operational training in disciplines concerning the protection of natural resources and the technological and economic aspects of rural land, together with the cultural skills for dealing with the analysis of the environment in all its biotic and abiotic components and their interaction. He/she will be qualified to: Examine and solve problems regarding the planning and management of natural resources using advanced informatic tools for the presentation and analysis of environmental and land data, and mathematical models. Design and coordinate interventions for the protection and development of the environment and rural land. Carry out basic and applied research, promoting and developing scientific and technological innovation for the planning, preservation and development of natural resources and the sustainable development of rural land. Perform appraisals of agricultural and forest resources and of the environmental impact of agricultural activities via the formulation of models using conceptual and methodological tools taken from the fields of economics, law and environmental planning. Use modern investigation and monitoring technologies of the environment and land.

2 Carry out complex and interdisciplinary coordination activities in one or more of the following sectors: Sustainable planning and management, eco-certification and preservation of rural and forest resources. Design and management of soil protection and forest engineering works. Design and management of green urban and suburban areas. Design and management of ecological improvement, restructuring and restoration of dilapidated environments. Management plans of protected areas and ecological land planning Work in the above sectors in full autonomy, performing coordination functions and taking on management responsibilities. SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL PROFILES The professional profile of the Master degree Graduate in Agri-Environmental Science merges the expertise acquired in the fields of Chemistry, Biology and Physiology with that acquired in Agritechnology and Agricultural Economics and Engineering. The professional figure that emerges is able to respond to the highlevel requirements of top management of Administrations and other public bodies, as well as businesses and consultancy firms. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Graduates find opportunities in sectors of land and environmental issues, with special reference to planning and sustainable management of the environment and of rural and forest land, environment protection, analysis and monitoring of agrienvironmental systems, design and development of systems for the protection and preservation of soil and water resources, restoration and preservation of biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems and in various sectors of agricultural engineering. Graduates will be qualified to work in: - Services for the protection and development of the environment and land (State Technical Services, National and Regional Environmental Agencies, Authorities for Water Surveillance, Regional, Provincial and Town Technical Services and Councils, Reclamation and Irrigation Consortia, Mountain Communities and Mountain Catchment Basins). - Laboratories, consultancy firms and services companies operating in the environment and land planning and management sectors, both in environmental surveillance and recovery. - Companies operating in the sector of management and water drainage and environmental recovery. - Companies operating in the development and maintenance of green areas and protection of the soil and water resources. - Environment and land departments in large companies.

3 - Freelance work. COURSE STRUCTURE Class: LM-73 Duration 2 years Admission: Open Attendance: Recommended. Requirements for admission: Graduates of class L-25 programmes (Agricultural and Forest Science and Technology or of the previous class 20 (Agricultural, Agri- Food and Forest Science and Technology can enter the Master degree programme in Agri-Environmental Sciences. Graduates from other Italian universities or other recognized programmes abroad may also be admitted. Requirements for admission are those of graduates of class L-25. In particular, access to the Master degree programme requires a sound base in Mathematics, Physics, Botany, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry and Ecology, and the candidate must have acquired at least 60 credits in the following three areas of class L-25: Crop production. Agricultural and forest engineering. Economics, appraisal and law. In all cases, admission to the programme requires a entry test comprising an interview with a commission of at least three degree course lecturers appointed by the Course Coordination Committee. The final examination The Master degree in Agri-Environmental Sciences is obtained by passing a final examination. The final examination consists in the presentation and discussion of a thesis prepared under the supervision of a thesis advisor. The thesis may be written in Italian or in English and is structured as a scientific publication. In order to be admitted to the final examination which bears a total of 29 credits, the student must: Have passes all the credit bearing courses (foundation, compulsory and supplementary courses) and have acquired 12 credits from the optional courses. Have given proof of acquired knowledge of knowledge of a foreign language, computer and telecommunication skills and interpersonal skills and other training specific to the type of career chosen, in particular internships, for a total of 3 credits. SYLLABUS The Master degree in Agri-Environmental Sciences focuses on the issues of the multi-functional nature and sustainability of agricultural in relation to the preservation and development of the environment. It deals with the most innovative

4 issues with relation to the sustainable use of natural resources, renewable energy and the globalization of production systems. The degree course comprises both single courses and integrated courses. The integrated courses are structured into modules taken by different lecturers, but they are all linked with respect to the final results. The lecturers of the modules may set independent final tests and progress tests, but the final assessment will be single, aggregate and assigned collectively, even though each module may carry a different weight. At registration, each student is assigned a tutor from the teaching staff to whom he/she may apply to for advice on all aspects of his/her university career. The syllabus also includes 12 credits for optional courses that may be chosen from the Faculty or from other university faculties, or may be gained from other activities that may assign credits. These activities must be included in the Syllabus that each student submits (via Sifa workstations or via web) at the first year and can be freely chosen by the student with the advice of the tutor, but must be approved by the Course Coordination Committee. Year Semester Subject Credits 1 First Systems analysis and statistics- mod.1: systems analysis 6 Systems analysis and statistics- mod.2 statistics 4 Environmental plant physiology 6 Environmental microbiology 6 Second Rural Policy and development 8 Analysis and modelling of agricultural environment 6 Geobotany 6 Water resources in agro-forestry systems 8 Soil and environment 6 2 First Territorial livestock resources and farming systems 6 Environmental management systems 8 Second Information Technology for agriculture mechanisation 6 Optional courses 12 Final examination 29 Other activities 3 ADMISSION PROCEDURE Application for admission must be made during the period July 15 to September Graduands from this or other universities may also apply. An Examination Commission will assess the student s eligibility for admission to the Master degree course in an admission interview will take place as follows: Graduates: September 20, 2011 at 2.30 a.m. in Aula Maggiore, Faculty of Agriculture, Via Celoria 2, Milan.

5 Students who plan to graduate within December 31, 2011: January 10, 2012 at 2.30 p.m. in Aula Maggiore, Faculty of Agriculture, Via Celoria 2, Milan Students who plan to graduate within February 28, 2012: March 07, 2012 at 2.30 p.m. in Aula Maggiore, Faculty of Agriculture, Via Celoria 2, Milan. OTHER INFORMATION Director of the Master Degree Course: Professor Gian Attilio Sacchi Course site: Faculty site: University site: Faculty Office: via Celoria Milano [email protected] Students Administration: via Celoria Milano