Academic study programme - Sustainable Agriculture

It is great that you are interested in biology, environment and sustainable food production, and are ambitious person that is thinking “outside box”. Nevertheless, you still need some basics, because before you shape your own dreams and future, you need to gain a good perspective on the field you are going to work in - agriculture.

Degree: Bachelor Degree of Agricultural Sciences
Credits: 180 ECTS
Duration of studies: 3 years (full-time)
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee per year:  3000 Eur
Admission: once a year (September intake) admission@lbtu.lv 
Programme director: Mg.agr. Jānis Kaņeps, janis.kaneps@lbtu.lv
Accredited until: December 15, 2028

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Abstract

The study program “Sustainable agriculture” is oriented to give our students fundamental information in multiple disciplines that are vital for sustainable plant or animal production chains. Students are encouraged to analyse various methods and technologies that are used in agriculture and think about how they would improve them.

Career Opportunities

The graduates are able to evaluate the material and economic suitability of the respective production technologies, estimate the quality and ecological significance of the obtained products, to use the possibilities of modern information technologies, as well as to evaluate the unity of production and environment in sustainable agricultural production.

Aim of the studies

Prepare agricultural specialists with versatile academic background, who are able to:

  • Evaluate the role of sustainable agricultural production and its harmony with the environment;
  • Use information technologies and modern scientific insights for the improvement of production technologies in the industry;
  • Continue studies in Master programme.

Study Plan and Structure

For specialisation in sustainable plant production:

  1. Semester: Agroecology and environmental protection, Mechanisation of Agriculture, Zoology, Agrophysics, Economical theory, Latvian Language I, Botany, Labour and civil protection
  2. Semester: Latvian Language II, Chemistry, Animal physiology, Plant physiology I, Microbiology, Agriculture I (practice) and Philosophy, Ethics, Aesthetics
  3. Semester: Research methodology and biostatics, Sustainable agriculture policy, Agricultural cropping systems, Soil tillage systems (in crop production and in horticulture), water management: Land drainage and irrigation
  4. Semester: Bachelor thesis I, Agriculture II (practise), Fundamentals of Soil sciences, Horticulture, Genetics
  5. Semester: Bachelor thesis I, Weeds and weed management, entomology, Plant pathology, Plant mineral nutrition
  6. Semester Bachelor thesis III, Agricultural land management in EU, Biology and production of field crops, Grasslands and forage production, Livestock production

For specialisation in sustainable animal production:

  1. Semester: Agroecology and environmental protection, Mechanisation of Agriculture, Zoology, Agrophysics, Economical theory, Latvian Language I, Botany, Labour and civil protection
  2. Semester: Latvian Language II, Chemistry, Animal physiology, Plant physiology I, Microbiology, Agriculture I (practice) and Philosophy, Ethics, Aesthetics
  3. Semester: Research methodology and biostatics, Sustainable agriculture policy, Animal anatomy and physiology, Basics of biochemistry, Animal genetics, Animal nutrition I
  4. Semester: Bachelor thesis I, Agriculture II (practise), Animal Breeding, Animal nutrition II, Animal husbandry technologies I
  5. Semester: Bachelor thesis I, Animal nutrition III, Animal husbandry technologies II, Animal husbandry technologies III, Animal health I, Processing of animal products
  6. Semester Bachelor thesis III, Animal husbandry technologies IV, Animal welfare, Farm buildings, Animal health II

Learning Outcomes

Students acquire knowledge of plant and animal biology, plant and animal production technologies and product quality, environment and agricultural production interaction, economic and ethical aspects of production, as well as knowledge about methods applied in scientific research of agriculture.

The students know how to choose crops and farm animal breeding technologies according to circumstances and activity context. They know how to evaluate production results by referring to the scientific literature and special information sources for explanation, planning and improvement of agricultural processes. They are able to plan research, collect and analyse research results.

They are competent to organize, evaluate and analyse the processes in sustainable plant or animal production, make decisions about technology and/or method most suitable in a given situation, conducting research and also continue academic education in the Master's studies.

Examination Procedure

Basic forms of programme’s assessment are formal test, Pass/Fail assessments and examinations. Knowledge is evaluated in ten grade scale. Students are motivated to do timely studies and achievement of better results during the semester through regular supervision of theory mastering and performance of independent work.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with completed secondary education are approved for admission to the programme, namely, applicapplicantsto be eligible for university studies in your own country. Applicants must have at least "satisfactory" grade in Mathematics, must be able to present good English knowledge (minimum - CEFR level B2, IELTS score 5.5, TOEFL score 520, TOEFL-iBT score 68 ) and need to pass an online entrance test in Biology.

Programme Director Jānis Kaņeps says:

“Agriculture is a beating heart of human civilization, and only special people can work in it. So I hope that you are one of them, one of us.”

Submitted on: 21/02/2020