Horticulture: Seed Science and Technology

This course gives a chance for an international career, delivering both theory and practice in plant breeding and seed production. Research is carried out in plant selection fields and research laboratories.

Course overview

The programme started at the Poznan University of Life Sciences in the academic year 1995/96. The course includes over 800 hours of lectures, laboratory classes, seminars, field trips and seed company visits both in Poland, France and Italy. The completion of these studies will give you an excellent chance for an international career in the plant breeding and seed production sector. Moreover, you will become acquainted with the most advanced branch of technology in the European Union. The programme has been created mainly for foreigners with the Bachelor of Science degrees in Horticulture, Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Biotechnology and Biology. The course includes elements of seed production and technology, routine and advanced methods of seed testing, genetics and plant breeding, molecular biology, pomological and ornamental nursery production, seed biology, seed diseases and pests, business management in seed industry, landscape architecture, and extension in seed industry. It also presents the latest trends in Horticulture. Graduates, after completing the course, will gain insight into the whole branch of economy and learn needed skills to successfully work in it, as a result of both studies and research conducted for their MSc theses. All of this will be done in English. Almost half of our graduates have published their MSc thesis results in research journals.

Career options

Out of over 150 graduates of our course, many have made research careers completing PhD studies (12) and then becoming professors (4), working at various research units related to agriculture. Many are also officials in various state offices and administration units working for the sector.

Leading modules

• Seed production and technology
• Routine and advanced methods of seed testing
• Genetics and plant breeding
• Molecular biology
• Seed biology
• Seed diseases and pests
• Business management in seed industry

Entry requirements

Candidates for registration must first hold at least a Bachelor of Science degree in any of the following subjects:

• Horticulture
• Agriculture
• Agronomy
• Agricultural Engineering
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Biology