Crops and Plant Sciences
Crops and Plant Sciences
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-69 - Agriculture
1. The master's degree course in Crops and Plant Sciences, belonging to the master's degree class in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies (Class LM-69). The aim of the master is to prepare graduates with a wide cultural background, scientific training with particular reference to the method; professional preparation in the areas of plant production, their protection, including ornamental and urban green systems, landscaping and environmental recovery / remediation, as well as in the protection of plants from adversity to obtain competitive and sustainable production. 2. The training received will give to the graduates an in-depth knowledge of current agricultural systems and greenery, with purposes that are both increase yield and protection of the territory and the environment. The degree course in Crops and Plant Sciences is characterized by a strong specialization in scientific and design aspects in the wide sector of cultivation systems, technical and recreational green areas, and the sustainability of production processes. 3. In particular, master's degrees will provide: · qualified skills to plan and manage research and innovative processes, both independently and in work groups, taking on project and structure responsibilities; · in-depth knowledge of the agricultural environment, and agro-ecosystems with their main guiding variables, such as climatic, agro-meteorological and pedological. · qualified knowledge of biology, physiology, genetics and molecular biology of plants and their pests and related interactions, essential for obtaining the quantitative-qualitative improvement of agricultural plant production, for rationally planning the defense and for safeguarding soil resources, using traditional and innovative technologies; · acquired the methodologies, including laboratory, for the quality control of the supply chain of the various plant productions and will know how to design, manage and certify the systems and processes of plant production and plant protection; · skills to program and manage the strategies, technologies and means used in the production and defense of plants and to minimize the impact that the means themselves can have on the environment; · skills to be able to organize and manage scientific research plans in the public and private sector; · skills for managing traditional and innovative genetic improvement programs; · command of a European language, usually English.
This professional figure will find employment, also with reference to the group "Agronomists and assimilated" of the ISTAT classification of professions (intellectual, scientific, and highly specialized professions, for which a high level of knowledge and experience is required; their tasks consist in enriching existing knowledge by promoting and conducting scientific research; in interpreting concepts, scientific theories and norms; in teaching them systematically; in applying them to the solution of concrete problems), in the following sectors: in the free profession , after passing the state exam, enrolling in the Register of Agronomy and Forestry Doctors; in public research bodies, as responsible for the qualitative and quantitative improvement of agricultural crops and their defense; in the regional phytosanitary services, as inspectors for goods in transit and for nurseries or as officials in charge of drafting the regional disease protection directives; in the industries producing technical means for agriculture (seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products, etc.), with research or consultancy tasks for operators; in large-scale organized distribution, as responsible for the planning of agricultural plant production, the drafting of production regulations and the control of the healthiness of food; in the design, management and defense of ornamental, recreational and sports green; in the development and organization of technical assistance services; in rural development projects, including on an international scale, by integrating productive, managerial, environmental enhancement, and sustainability of agricultural activities skills.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Course of study in Crops and Plant Sciences gives many opportunities for stages abroad mainly through the Erasmus+ programme. About 30 foreign Universities of the EU are involved in this students exchange. The areas of study which can be followed by the students abroad are almost all those included in this course of study. In general, students who make a stage abroad attend local courses or participate in research for the preparation of their thesis. The examination scores and the related UFC obtained in the partner universities are almost entirely acknowledged by our university for the curriculum studies. Other possibilities exist in terms of cultural exchange with non EU universities (in China, Japan, Latin America) not involved in the Erasmus programme. The Master degree in Crop and Plant Science is partner of the double degree in the framework of Erasmus Mundus Master Program in Plant Breeding - emPlant+ (EMJMD) and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Informations at https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/double-degree.
Attendance is strongly recommended for all training activities.
Enrolment
Admission requirements
The programme is open, but a B1 level in English is required for admission to the first year, and B2 for the second year.
Graduates of class L-25 (Agricultural sciences and technologies), as well as the corresponding class pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, may access the programme if they have earned at least 30 credits in the following academic fields: BIO/01 - General botany BIO/02 - Systematic botany BIO/03 - Environmental and applied botany BIO/04 - Plant physiology BIO/05 Zoology BIO/13 Applied biology CHIM/03 - General and inorganic chemistry CHIM/06 - Organic chemistry FIS/01 to FIS/07 MAT/01 to MAT/09 INF/01 Computer science ING-INF/05 - Data processing systems SECS-S/01 Statistics.
Graduates from classes other than class L-25, who have earned at least 60 credits in the following academic fields, may also access the programme:
AGR/01 - Economy and rural appraisal, AGR/02 - Agronomy and herbaceous crops, AGR/03 - General arboriculture, AGR/04 - Horticulture and floriculture, AGR/05 - Forest management and forestry, AGR/07 - Agricultural genetics, AGR/08 - Agricultural hydraulics, AGR/09 - Agricultural mechanics, AGR/10 - Rural constructions and agro-forestry territory, AGR/11 - General and applied entomology, AGR/12 - Plant pathology, AGR/13 - Agricultural chemistry, AGR/14 - Pedology, AGR/15 - Food science and technology, AGR/16 - Agricultural microbiology, BIO/07 - Ecology, BIO/18 - Genetics, BIO/19 - General microbiology, CHIM/01 - Analytical chemistry, CHIM/12 - Environmental and cultural heritage chemistry, GEO/02 - Stratigraphic and sedimentological geology, GEO/04 - Physical geography and geomorphology, GEO/06 - Mineralogy, GEO/07 - Petrology and petrography, ICAR/06 - Topography and cartography, ICAR/15 - Landscape architecture, IUS/03 - Agricultural law, IUS/14 - European Union law, SECS-P/08 - Economics and business management.
Proficiency in English at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Placement test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the placement test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the placement test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
Admission assessment
During application assessment, an admission board will evaluate the curricular requirements of the candidates and, if necessary, may ask for further documents.
The board may also highlight any shortcomings to be filled before the admission interview that will be held on the following dates:
- 20 September 2024, 2.00 pm;
- 8 January 2025, 2.00 pm.
The interviews will take place via videoconference. Connection details will be notified to the candidates within one week of the interview date.
The programme is open, but a B1 level in English is required for admission to the first year, and B2 for the second year.
Graduates of class L-25 (Agricultural sciences and technologies), as well as the corresponding class pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, may access the programme if they have earned at least 30 credits in the following academic fields: BIO/01 - General botany BIO/02 - Systematic botany BIO/03 - Environmental and applied botany BIO/04 - Plant physiology BIO/05 Zoology BIO/13 Applied biology CHIM/03 - General and inorganic chemistry CHIM/06 - Organic chemistry FIS/01 to FIS/07 MAT/01 to MAT/09 INF/01 Computer science ING-INF/05 - Data processing systems SECS-S/01 Statistics.
Graduates from classes other than class L-25, who have earned at least 60 credits in the following academic fields, may also access the programme:
AGR/01 - Economy and rural appraisal, AGR/02 - Agronomy and herbaceous crops, AGR/03 - General arboriculture, AGR/04 - Horticulture and floriculture, AGR/05 - Forest management and forestry, AGR/07 - Agricultural genetics, AGR/08 - Agricultural hydraulics, AGR/09 - Agricultural mechanics, AGR/10 - Rural constructions and agro-forestry territory, AGR/11 - General and applied entomology, AGR/12 - Plant pathology, AGR/13 - Agricultural chemistry, AGR/14 - Pedology, AGR/15 - Food science and technology, AGR/16 - Agricultural microbiology, BIO/07 - Ecology, BIO/18 - Genetics, BIO/19 - General microbiology, CHIM/01 - Analytical chemistry, CHIM/12 - Environmental and cultural heritage chemistry, GEO/02 - Stratigraphic and sedimentological geology, GEO/04 - Physical geography and geomorphology, GEO/06 - Mineralogy, GEO/07 - Petrology and petrography, ICAR/06 - Topography and cartography, ICAR/15 - Landscape architecture, IUS/03 - Agricultural law, IUS/14 - European Union law, SECS-P/08 - Economics and business management.
Proficiency in English at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Placement test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the placement test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the placement test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
Admission assessment
During application assessment, an admission board will evaluate the curricular requirements of the candidates and, if necessary, may ask for further documents.
The board may also highlight any shortcomings to be filled before the admission interview that will be held on the following dates:
- 20 September 2024, 2.00 pm;
- 8 January 2025, 2.00 pm.
The interviews will take place via videoconference. Connection details will be notified to the candidates within one week of the interview date.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 31/10/2024
Application for matriculation: from 08/04/2024 to 15/01/2025
Attachments and documents
Please note
Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated and it will in no case be possible to request the refund of the admission fee.
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Microbial Biotechnologies Applied to Plant Production | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/16 |
| Tree Growing Strategies | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Virology and Physiopathological Biotechnologies Biotechnologies | 6 | 64 | Italian | AGR/12 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Herbaceous Cropping Systems | 6 | 64 | Italian | AGR/02 |
| Physiology of Plant Production | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/13 |
| Plant Protection Management | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/12 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Basic Statistics and Experimental Design | 6 | 64 | English | AGR/02 |
| Plant Breeding | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/07 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Applied Entomology | 6 | 48 | English | AGR/11 |
| Protected Cultivation Systems | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/04 |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Exam | 42 | 0 | Italian | |
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases | 6 | 68 | Italian | AGR/12 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences | 6 | 64 | English | AGR/03 |
| Marketing to Breeding | 6 | 48 | English | AGR/01 |
| Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/09 |
| Tree Propagation and Nursery Industry | 6 | 58 | Italian | AGR/03 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| International Agrifood Markets and Policy | 7 | 72 | English | AGR/01 |
| Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/11 |
| Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Ree Crispres - a Workshop On Genome Editing Technologies | 3 | 40 | English | AGR/03 AGR/07 AGR/12 BIO/01 |
| Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience | 3 | 48 | Italian | AGR/03 AGR/09 |
| Woody Plant Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/03 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Other Useful Knowledge for Entering the World of Work | 3 | 0 | Italian | |
Study plan rules
- The academic plan includes 12 credits for elective activities. To this end, students can select courses organised for this and other degree programmes of this Faculty and the University in general, or opt for other educational activities that can be measured in credits. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan. These can be seminars, conferences, refresher courses and other activities organised by this University or another entity, provided that they are congruent with the study programme. Normally, a maximum of 4 credits can be awarded for this kind of activities, which must be approved beforehand by the Academic Board. For information on how to obtain credits for such activities, students have to contact their tutor. For students pursuing a Master's degree in Crops and Plant Sciences, the Academic Board notably recommends the elective courses specified in the table below. The programme offers two alternative curricula. Therefore, students may select as elective activities courses included in the curriculum that they have not chosen. The following courses are particularly recommended to students who have opted for the Plant Biotechnology curriculum:
- Basic statistics and experimental design
- Plant breeding
- Basic statistics and experimental design
- Plant breeding
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases | 6 | 68 | Italian | year | AGR/12 |
| Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences | 6 | 64 | English | First semester | AGR/03 |
| Marketing to Breeding | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | AGR/01 |
| Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products | 6 | 56 | English | First semester | AGR/09 |
| Tree Propagation and Nursery Industry | 6 | 58 | Italian | First semester | AGR/03 |
| International Agrifood Markets and Policy | 7 | 72 | English | Second semester | AGR/01 |
| Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 |
| Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/03 |
| Ree Crispres - a Workshop On Genome Editing Technologies | 3 | 40 | English | Second semester | AGR/03 AGR/07 AGR/12 BIO/01 |
| Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience | 3 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/03 AGR/09 |
| Woody Plant Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | Second semester | AGR/03 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Microbial Biotechnologies Applied to Plant Production | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/16 |
| Tree Growing Strategies | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Virology and Physiopathological Biotechnologies Biotechnologies | 6 | 64 | Italian | AGR/12 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Herbaceous Cropping Systems | 6 | 64 | Italian | AGR/02 |
| Physiology of Plant Production | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/13 |
| Plant Protection Management | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/12 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Advanced Plant Pathology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/12 |
| Development of Crop Ideotypes | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/07 |
| Molecular Methods for Plant Breeding | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/07 |
| Plant Molecular Biology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/07 |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Exam | 42 | 0 | Italian | |
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases | 6 | 68 | Italian | AGR/12 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences | 6 | 64 | English | AGR/03 |
| Marketing to Breeding | 6 | 48 | English | AGR/01 |
| Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/09 |
| Tree Propagation and Nursery Industry | 6 | 58 | Italian | AGR/03 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| International Agrifood Markets and Policy | 7 | 72 | English | AGR/01 |
| Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/11 |
| Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Ree Crispres - a Workshop On Genome Editing Technologies | 3 | 40 | English | AGR/03 AGR/07 AGR/12 BIO/01 |
| Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience | 3 | 48 | Italian | AGR/03 AGR/09 |
| Woody Plant Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/03 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Other Useful Knowledge for Entering the World of Work | 3 | 0 | Italian | |
Study plan rules
- The academic plan includes 12 credits for elective activities. To this end, students can select courses organised for this and other degree programmes of this Faculty and the University in general, or opt for other educational activities that can be measured in credits. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan. These can be seminars, conferences, refresher courses and other activities organised by this University or another entity, provided that they are congruent with the study programme. Normally, a maximum of 4 credits can be awarded for this kind of activities, which must be approved beforehand by the Academic Board. For information on how to obtain credits for such activities, students have to contact their tutor. For students pursuing a Master's degree in Crops and Plant Sciences, the Academic Board notably recommends the elective courses specified in the table below. The programme offers two alternative curricula. Therefore, students may select as elective activities courses included in the curriculum that they have not chosen. The following courses are particularly recommended to students who have opted for the Plant Biotechnology curriculum:
- Basic statistics and experimental design
- Plant breeding
- Basic statistics and experimental design
- Plant breeding
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases | 6 | 68 | Italian | year | AGR/12 |
| Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences | 6 | 64 | English | First semester | AGR/03 |
| Marketing to Breeding | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | AGR/01 |
| Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products | 6 | 56 | English | First semester | AGR/09 |
| Tree Propagation and Nursery Industry | 6 | 58 | Italian | First semester | AGR/03 |
| International Agrifood Markets and Policy | 7 | 72 | English | Second semester | AGR/01 |
| Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 |
| Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/03 |
| Ree Crispres - a Workshop On Genome Editing Technologies | 3 | 40 | English | Second semester | AGR/03 AGR/07 AGR/12 BIO/01 |
| Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience | 3 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/03 AGR/09 |
| Woody Plant Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | Second semester | AGR/03 |
Learn more
Location
Milan
Head of study programme
Study plan tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Degree programme head
[email protected]
+390250316581 - Course management for the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (Science and Technology area)
via Celoria 2 - Milano Città Studi
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
+39050316511-0250316512
Monday, wednesday and friday from 10.30 am to 12.30 am; tuesday and thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm - Student registrar
via Celoria 18 - Milano Città Studi
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/359
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/360
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents