MSc in Animal Husbandry Engineering

1. The name of the master’s degree programme: Animal Husbandry Engineering

2. Level of qualification obtainable in the master's programme and designation of professional qualification on the diploma

• level of qualification: master's degree (magister, master; abbreviation: MSc-)
• professional qualification: Animal Husbandry Engineer

3. Field of study: agriculture

4. Degrees accepted as prerequisites for admission to master's programmes

4.1. Full credit value can be considered: undergraduate degree in Animal husbandry engineering, Agricultural engineering, Wildlife management engineering.

4.2. The following may also be taken into account upon completion of the credits specified in Section 9.3: in the field of agricultural sciences: Crop production engineering, Nature conservation engineering, Agricultural engineering for economic and rural development, Agricultural engineering for rural development, Agricultural engineering for information technology and specialist administration, agricultural engineering for environmental management, food engineering, agricultural and food industry mechanical engineering, horse breeding and equestrian sports organisation agricultural engineering, and in the field of natural sciences, the bachelor's degree programmes in biology and environmental science.

5. Length of the programme: 4 semesters

6. Number of credits required to obtain a master's degree: 120 credits

• Orientation of the programme: balanced (40-60 percents)
• credit value assigned to the thesis: 25 credits
• Minimum credit value for continuous practical work placements outside the institution: 5 credits
• Minimum credit value for optional subjects: 6 credits

7. Classification of fields of study according to the uniform classification system for vocational training areas: 621/0811 

8. The aim of the training and professional competences of the master’s degree

The aim of the training is to train animal husbandry engineers who, with their knowledge of natural sciences, agricultural engineering, food economics, food chain safety, product processing, and animal science, can perform professional tasks related to the production, processing, and marketing of animal products. They are qualified to perform managerial tasks in the areas of production and product processing, as well as to carry out regulatory, professional management, planning, synthesis, research, and innovation activities in the field of animal husbandry. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral level.

8.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

Animal Husbandry Engineer’s

a) knowledge

• Knows the natural science and biological fundamentals of animal husbandry.
• Knows the theory of breeding, animal product production, processing, and sales, along with the practical possibilities for implementation.
• Knows the quality, food safety, and environmental protection regulations for animal product production, as well as relevant knowledge related to human health.
• Knows and understands the basic concepts, interrelationships, and processes of food chain safety.
• Knows the legal and economic regulatory system governing breeding and animal product production.
• Knows the basic rules of animal husbandry, breeding organization, animal protection and welfare regulations, and animal health administration.
• Knows modern breeding, animal husbandry, reproduction, and feeding technologies.

b) competencies

• Can plan, organize, and manage breeding, animal product production, processing, and sales processes.
• Can participate creatively in innovation processes.
• Can develop and implement new technologies and methods.
• Can communicate with the relevant authorities and organizations representing professional policy within the entire network of its activities.
• Can develop new technological variants for animal husbandry sectors.
• With the application of his knowledge, he can adapt complex technological systems at a high level.
• Capable of planning and managing the breeding and improvement of economic animal species.
• Capable of performing research and development tasks related to livestock farming and animal husbandry, as well as coordinating expert consulting services.
• Able to develop and adapt solutions that match the agro-ecological potential of the production facility.
• Capable of performing rural development tasks related to their field of expertise.
• Capable of conducting independent research in the fields of natural sciences and agricultural sciences.
• Can interpret and apply current EU and national subsidy regulations.
• Interprets and organizes professional tasks using acquired high-level professional knowledge.

c) attitudes

• Receptive to the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly methods.
• Assesses and adapts communication to engineering and management-level tasks.
• Expects cooperation and, after gaining sufficient experience, demonstrates this in his/her managerial duties.
• Seeks professional development and undertakes self-improvement through further training.
• Based on his/her high level of professional knowledge in animal husbandry, he/she recognizes problems and strives to solve them.
• In engineering work, it strives to give preference to environmentally friendly solutions that support the health of individuals and society.

d) autonomy and responsibility

• Independently selects the husbandry and feeding technologies to be used.
• Makes independent decisions regarding the development of breeding and improvement strategies for the sector or population under his/her management.
• Decides independently on work organization and task assignment with a sense of professional responsibility.
• Feels responsible for the safety of food and feed produced with their involvement.
• Takes responsibility for the results of the activities of the subordinates under his/her supervision.

9. Characteristics of the master’s training

9.1. Professional characteristics 

The disciplines and fields of study that make up the programme and lead to professional qualification: 

• fundamental knowledge areas (applied genetics, production physiology, biochemistry, food chemistry) 10-18 credits;
• professional knowledge of animal husbandry engineering (feed management, feed crop production, grassland utilization, animal husbandry biotechnology, special animal husbandry, breeding organization, breeding programmes, grazing animal husbandry, animal husbandry technologies, reproductive biology, epidemic control, animal protection and animal health administration, design, construction and operation of livestock farms, milk processing, meat processing, food quality and safety, food chain safety, sectoral economics, food marketing, human resource management) 30-46 credits;
• elective professional knowledge (ecological animal husbandry, special issues of animal breeding, methods of animal product certification, companion and hobby animal breeding, fish farming and aquariums, sport horse breeding and equestrian sports organization) 28-36 credits.

9.2. The requirements of the professional practice

The length of the professional practice is at least 4 weeks defined by the curriculum of the higher educational institution.

9.3. Minimum requirements for admission to the master's degree programme for holders of the certificate specified in section 4.2.

The minimum number of credits required for admission to the master's programme is 84 credits in the fields of natural sciences, natural resources, agricultural sciences, economics, and management. Admission to the master's programme requires that the student have at least 60 credits from previous studies. Missing credits must be obtained in accordance with the study and examination regulations of the higher education institution.