BSc in Agricultural Engineering

1. Name of the bachelor’s programme: Agricultural Engineering

2. The level of qualification that can be obtained in the programme and the designation of the qualification in the diploma:

• level of qualification: bachelor (baccalaureus, bachelor; abbreviated: BSc-) degree
• qualification: Agricultural Engineering

3. Field of Study: Agriculture

4. Training period in semesters: 7 semesters

5. Number of credits required to obtain a bachelor’s degree: 180+30 credits

• orientation of the major: practice-oriented (60-70 percent)
• credit value assigned to the thesis: 15 credits
• minimum credit value of related practical training outside the institution: 30 credits
• minimum credit value assigned to optional subjects: 10 credits

6. The field of study classification according to the unified classification system for training areas of qualifications: 621/0811

7. Training objectives and professional competencies of the bachelor’s programme

The aim of the training is to train agricultural engineers who possess agricultural, technical and economic knowledge based on general natural science knowledge, knowledge on the European Union, and also have an adequate level of practical knowledge to directly manage production, as well as to modify the technological processes applied in a given farm as necessary, and to introduce new technologies. They recognize the roles they can play in the food chain. In the course of their work, they seek and prioritize solutions that support the health of society and individuals also take into account the protection of the environment. They are prepared to continue their studies in a master's degree programme.

7.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

7.1.1. The Agricultural Engineer

a) according to his/her knowledge

• knows the basic concepts of natural science, engineering, technology, food chain safety, management and economics that underpin agricultural production.
• knows the modern technologies used in agricultural sectors and their practical application.
• possesses knowledge of management theory and organizational management that can be applied in his/her field of activity to strengthen the efficiency and health-supporting nature of work organizations.
• knows the structure and legal regulation of the European Union and Hungarian institutional system of agriculture.
• possesses all the knowledge that enables him/her to communicate accurately professionally, to directly participate in agricultural production, to support it, and to actively - operatively - participate in the practical implementation of (Research, Development, Innovation) K+F+I projects.

b) according to his/her competencies

• able to establish and manage a family farm.
• able to recognize and eliminate routine problems that occur in the process of agricultural production.
• able to observe and enforce the basic principles of food chain safety during food production.
• continuously monitors environmental, hygiene, food safety, food health, and occupational safety regulations, and observes and enforces them.
• knows the interaction between the environment and agricultural production and is able to make decisions using a complex approach in his work.
• as a middle manager of agricultural enterprises, he/she has adequate cooperation skills, through which he can clearly interpret and convey professional instructions to his subordinates.
• able to identify pests, pathogens, weeds and their natural enemies that threaten plants, and to plan and implement integrated plant protection.
• able to interpret regulations and laws applicable to the sector, adhere to them and enforce them.
• possesses adequate communication skills, which makes him/her capable of expressing his/her professional opinion and position and - in the event of a dispute - defending it.

c) according to his/her attitude

• approaches professional issues constructively.
• is sensitive to problems arising in any sector of agriculture, new production trends and strives to solve or introduce them.
• is responsible for compliance with food chain safety conditions.
• the protection of society, individual health and environment plays an important role in his professional decisions.
• performs his professional tasks independently during his work.
• plans his career independently.
• accepts the importance of professional development and career planning and is aware that lifelong learning is the basis for a successful career.
• continuously educates himself and is informed about research in the field of agricultural technology and its results.
• is sensitive to the environmental, animal welfare and food safety aspects of agricultural production, which is manifested both in the formulation of his position and in his daily work.

d) according to his/her autonomy and responsibility

• able to manage independently, work independently in the service and commercial sectors serving agricultural production, or perform the tasks of a producer and operational manager of agricultural enterprises of various sizes and types, and provide advice.
• takes responsibility for the decisions made in performing his/her tasks, for his/her own work and the work of the workforce entrusted to him/her.
• based on his/her professional knowledge, he/she is able to independently compile the work plan of K+F+I projects and assumes the responsibility for the direct management of development activities.
• understands and authentically represents the importance of any sector of agriculture, both domestically and internationally.
• committed to maintaining and improving the positive social perception of agricultural production.
• responsible for representing his/her professional convictions in professional communication.
• expresses his/her opinion independently, professionally and with awareness of his/her responsibility.

8. Characteristics of the bachelor programme

8.1. Professional characteristics

8.1.1 The disciplines and scientific areas leading to the professional qualification on which the programme is built:

• basic natural science knowledge [general natural science (botany, zoology, chemistry, genetics) knowledge necessary for understanding and acquiring general and specific agricultural knowledge] 15-25 credits;
• basic engineering knowledge [general technical (computer science, mechanical engineering) knowledge] 4-10 credits;
• basic agricultural and technological knowledge [basic agricultural (soil science, agro-chemistry, microbiology, food chain safety, water management, agrometeorology) knowledge necessary for acquiring specific knowledge of individual agricultural sectors] 15-30 credits;
• basic economic and human knowledge (institutional system of domestic and international agricultural economy, foundations of legal and economic regulation of agricultural production, social significance) 5-12 credits;
• agricultural engineering knowledge (technological, operational, economic, social knowledge related to agricultural production, practical knowledge of crop production, horticulture, animal husbandry) 75-100 credits;
• complex practical knowledge (complex knowledge of the operation of an agricultural enterprise, the implementation practices of efficient and economical production) 30-36 credits.

8.2. Requirements for the internship

The internship consists of two parts: a total of three to five weeks of practical training related to the professional theoretical training, and a semester-long (twelve to fifteen weeks) internship.