Major Sustainable Horticulture

The studies are conducted in English. The studies start from winter, last for 4 semesters/(2 years) and end with a vocational degree [master of sc. engineer magister inżynier]

Graduates of natural sciences, understood in a broad sense, i.e. biology, environmental protection, forestry, agriculture, horticulture and related disciplines, will be able to get acquainted with horticultural sciences thanks to the fact that the construction of the study programme in the scope of compulsory subjects includes content systematising knowledge of horticultural sciences, which is implemented during the first three semesters. In particular, the first semester allows students to become familiar with the versatility of applications of the results of scientific work in horticultural science, e.g. in the cultivation, care, welfare and production of horticultural plants, the impact of this production on the environment. The content of the individual modules allows students to become broadly familiar with the variety of research carried out in horticultural science and the results of this research in scientific and application - implementation. An extremely important element of the study programme of the first semester is to familiarise students with issues of sustainable development in the aspect of horticultural sciences, the role of horticultural sciences in shaping pro-environmental CSR - ESG attitudes and the impact of horticultural sciences on environmental policy and levelling the effects of environmental degradation. This content is covered in the definitional scope in the module Impact of environmental degrdation and climate changes on sustainable horticulture and in the in-depth scope in the individual modules in the first semester as well as in the remaining semesters. During the second semester, the student is introduced to horticultural production issues. Horticulture in the 21st century is a response to the challenges posed by a growing human population and the associated growing demand for food, the form of which, due to ongoing negative environmental and climate changes, is changing towards an increasing proportion of plant products in the diet. For this reason, so much emphasis is placed in the second semester modules on environmentally sustainable horticultural production. During the third semester, the student is introduced to the control and influence on the quality of the horticultural product. The intensification of horticultural production must be linked to a high quality product. Therefore, the third semester of the Sustainable Horticulture degree programme is devoted to the identification of methods to influence the quality and productivity of horticultural production and the control of the horticultural product. The fourth semester is devoted to the diploma thesis and subjects that enhance humanistic and social skills and competences.

The teaching concept for Sustainable Horticulture is that the graduate will be prepared to an advanced degree to carry out research and analytical work, and will be able to use the skills acquired in adapting to the labour market. Graduates of Sustainable Horticulture receive a broad professional background in both the various branches of horticulture and other horticultural-related activities in the context of sustainability issues and the adaptation of horticulture to changing environmental conditions and climate change. As the study programme includes elements of horticulture's connection with the environment and urban areas, graduates can also work in design offices, urban greening companies and similar. Sustainable Horticulture graduates are prepared to run their own businesses in the horticultural sector: nurseries for ornamental trees and shrubs and fruit plants, berry plantations, orchard, ornamental and vegetable production, companies offering green services in public and private spaces, horticultural consultancy, garden establishment. Graduates have the opportunity to develop competence in interior decoration, wedding decoration design and floristry. Graduates will be able to work in professional associations, scientific and research institutions as a specialist, raw material and cosmetic laboratories, education at various levels. Upon graduation and taking into account the knowledge acquired in the first degree, the draduate will have obtained an horticultural qualification and will be entitled to apply (after fulfilling other statutory requirements) for the granting of professional entitlements, such as the Polish equivalents:

1. agricultural entitlements pursuant to the Act on Shaping the Agricultural System (Act of 11 April 2003 on Shaping the Agricultural System, Dz.U. 2003 No. 64 item 592 as amended).
2. inspector's competence in food quality systems: GlobaGAP, BioSuisse, integrated production, organic farming, regional and traditional products and others.
3. powers of inspector of the Commercial Inspection for Agricultural and Food Quality.
4. entitlement to use plant protection products.
5. entitlements in the field of plant production, issuing of plant passports, seed certification.

By the end of the first semester, students are required to complete health and safety training, library training and training on discrimination and its prevention. All training is provided using distance learning techniques, on a platform: https://szkolenia.sggw.edu.pl

>>Link to faculty website

Study programme