MSc in Plant Protection

1. The name of the master’s degree programme: Plant Protection

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

• level of qualification: master's degree (master; abbreviated: MSc)
• professional qualification: Plant Protection 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 for the following basic training programmes: agricultural engineering, crop production engineering, horticultural engineering, and forestry engineering.

4.2. The credits specified in section 9.4 may primarily be considered: in the field of agricultural training, agricultural engineering in economic and rural development, agricultural engineering in rural development, environmental engineering, and agricultural engineering in environmental management; in the field of natural sciences, biology and chemistry; in the field of technical training, basic training in chemical engineering.

4.3. In addition, the credits specified in Section 9.4 may be considered for bachelor's and master's degree programmes, as well as programmes specified in Act LXXX of 1993 on Higher Education, which are accepted by the credit transfer committee of the higher education institution based on a comparison of the knowledge serving as the basis for determining the credits.

5. The length of the training: 4 semesters

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

• Orientation of the programme: balanced (40-60 percent)
• Credit value assigned to the thesis: 30 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 plant doctors who, with the appropriate economic approach, are able to prevent, recognize, and treat plant diseases, are familiar with plant cultivation, and the possibilities for protection against pests, and have acquired the necessary knowledge and rules for food and feed safety, as well as for the production and quality assurance of raw materials for processing. They are familiar with the risk factors of plant cultivation, including harmful organisms, and, in the event of their appearance, they can select effective, preventive and integrated control methods from the plant protection toolkit that pose the least risk to the environment and human health to prevent and avert economic and environmental damage. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral programmes.

8.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

8.1.1. Plant Protection Engineer’s

a) knowledge

• Knows, integrates, synthesizes, and applies disciplinary knowledge of plant protection in broader cultivation, management, and development systems.
• Knows and understands innovative plant protection methods, procedures, and solutions.
• When applying plant medicine knowledge, is aware of its social and economic interactions.
• Knows the professional background of plant protection development strategies and paths.
• Knows and understands the basic concepts, interrelationships, and processes of food chain safety.
• Knows the mechanisms of action of usable plant protection products, occupational and food hygiene and occupational safety regulations, and their environmental and human implications.
• Knows the plant health risks posed by quarantine and other non-native pests, as well as the international, European Union, and domestic organizational frameworks and legal regulations governing the structure and operation of the plant health control system designed to prevent their introduction and spread.
• Is also familiar with the risk factors involved in plant cultivation, including harmful organisms, and, in the event of their appearance, can select effective, preventive and integrated control methods from the plant protection toolbox that pose the least risk to the environment and human health to prevent and avert economic damage.

b) competencies

• Able to synthesize and apply the basic knowledge of agriculture, plant health, plant protection, natural sciences, technology, social sciences, and economics acquired during training in the field of agricultural science.
• Able to continuously update their knowledge, adopt and apply innovative procedures, and implement related community and national strategic objectives (sustainable pesticide use directive, national action plan).
• Able to identify pests, pathogens, weeds, and their natural enemies that threaten plants, and to plan and implement integrated plant protection. 
• Able to perform practical plant protection, administrative, and other plant health management tasks.
• Able to perform plant health, food and environmental safety tasks and analyze their effects.
• Able to apply epidemic, gradation and invasion forecasting and take preventive measures.
• Able to adapt and further develop innovative plant protection methods.
• Able to apply plant protection procedures that reduce the environmental impact of pesticides.
• Able to participate in scientific work in the field of agricultural sciences.
• Able to manage grant applications and engage in international cooperation.

c) attitudes

• Sensitivity and receptiveness to changes in the natural and economic environment.
• Communication skills necessary for performing engineering and management tasks.
• Commitment to professional self-improvement and continuing education, as well as lifelong learning.
• Receptive and suitable for cooperation.

d) autonomy and responsibility

• Characterized by independent problem recognition and solving skills, creativity.
• Possesses independent decision-making and implementation skills.
• In addition to personal and decision-making autonomy and awareness of individual responsibility, characterized by a willingness to participate in teamwork.
• Possesses independent professional responsibility.
• Feels a constant sense of responsibility for the protection of people, plant health, and the natural environment in the course of their work.

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:

• Compulsory core subjects 14-18 credits
  Basic knowledge of natural sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, environmental protection and toxicology, ecology)
  basic knowledge of economics and social sciences (management and trade, rural development and business management);
• professional knowledge of plant medicine 36-44 credits
  natural sciences and technical knowledge (plant pathology, plant protection zoology, weed biology and ecology, applied plant biotechnology and resistance biology, plant protection chemistry, expert advice and decision support systems, technical, application technology, IT, ecological management knowledge);
  plant protection and plant health knowledge (diagnostics, plant protection forecasting, epidemiology, integrated plant protection, arable, horticultural and forestry plant protection knowledge, food chain safety, plant protection law and administrative knowledge);
• Optional professional knowledge areas [plant health (quarantine), plant pathology, plant protection zoology, herbology, industrial plant protection knowledge] 22-34 credits.

9.2. The requirements of professional practice

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

9.3. Special features that distinguish the training

At least 600 hours of plant protection training is required, exclusively in the form of full-time education, to acquire a broad range of skills-based knowledge. The training concludes with a final examination in plant protection in accordance with specific legislation, the successful completion of which is a prerequisite for obtaining a higher education qualification in plant protection.

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

Students must have earned at least 60 credits from their previous studies in the subjects of plant production, horticultural production, plant protection, technical knowledge, and economics. If at least 60 credits are recognized, the institution may require a maximum of 24 additional credits in the areas of knowledge listed above, which the student may obtain in parallel with the training leading to the master's degree.

The missing credits must be obtained in accordance with the study and examination regulations of the higher education institution.