Educational Offer - Degree Courses

«Back
Academic year 2013/2014
Master's Degree (MSc) on FIRM AND QUALITY IN THE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SECTOR
FIRM AND QUALITY FOR THE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEM

Coordinator Prof. Pietro Columba
Class of Master's Degree (MSc) on Agricultural sciences (LM-69)
2 years
PALERMO
Free access
Course Code
2150

Course info
The 2nd cycle Degree Course in "Firm and Quality for the agricultural and food system" may be an advanced study for graduates of the classes L25 - Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology and L26 - agri-food science and technology who wish to consolidate and expand their professional and scientific competences in the field of agricultural entrepreneurship and in the management and enhancement of products and quality processes. The primary objective of the course is training professionals capable of starting business and supply chain initiatives related to the enhancement of production with specific local, organic, historical, etc.. quality traits; the current international economic system and the evolution of food culture, in fact, gradually drive the business activity towards the exaltation of the ability to relate to the socio-economic system through forms of integration and coordination of production and organizational activities, in view of the exaltation of specific product features and of the increase of food safety and quality. The educational programme includes class specific teachings aiming at the acquisition of competences in the following fields: post harvest processing of agricultural products, agro-industrial transformation plants and processes, defence and prevention against pathogenous agents and possible contaminations; where possible, teaching have interdisciplinary traits and are oriented towards the integration of different competences. Other teachings are related to the economic traits of business, markets, agri-food policy at international level as well as to specific quality and certification economics. A better understanding of issues related to logistics, packaging and labelling technologies and to the sociological traits of consumer behaviour and quality perception is obtained through integrative teachings. The Degree course includes the following educational activities: - Elective activities: these will be permitted and encouraged within the limits of the provisions of Art. 10 of Ministerial Decree 270/04, and namely the ones oriented to the enrichment of systemic and integrated vision of the problems of agri-food sector. - Internships: to be held in companies or institutions, possibly aimed at the achievement of professional qualifications in the field of certification; - Activities related to the final examination: The final examinations consists of the preparation by the student of an original paper to discuss publicly with a Faculty board, as provided by the Academic Regulations, possibly supplemented by professionals of agri-food industry. Educational activities include frontal teachings, laboratory and field practice and mid-term tests. The course duration is 2 academic years. To achieve the Degree, students must have acquired 120 credits (ECTS), including those relating to the advanced knowledge of one European Union language, besides Italian, subject to special rules for the protection of linguistic minorities. The Degree Course includes 11 compulsory examinations, an elective examination, a language test, a practical training within external facilities, and the final examination on specific course issues. 9 elective credits may be acquired, in accordance with article 10 paragraph 5, a) of Ministerial Decree 270/04, choosing among the teachings provided by the Faculty of Agriculture, as well as by other Faculties of this University or of other Italian and Foreign Universities. At the end of the course, students will acquire the 2nd cycle Degree in Firm and quality for the agricultural and food system", and after the relevant national qualification, they may enrol in section A (Senior agronomist) of the professional register of the Order of Doctors of Agronomy and Forestry.
The expected professional opportunities for 2nd cycle graduates in "Firm and quality for the agricultural and food sector" may be found in the agricultural and food system, in managing and consulting positions, or to entrepreneurship in the fields of production, processing and distribution of agri-food products. The course also provides the opportunity for access the public administration in control and management positions, the profession of agronomist, as well as the access to research and teaching roles. Graduates will have the following competences: - Quality control and characterization of typicality; - Design and management of production and processing processes; - Design and management of production systems with low environmental impact; - Management of enterprises operating in the production, processing and distribution of food; - Research and development of processes and products; - Business consulting.
The Degree is obtained after passing the final examination. For being admitted to the final examination, students should: - Have passed the examination related to class specific activities, related activities and elective courses, and have acquired the relevant credits; - Have done an internship at a facility of the University or other public or private body and have prepared a special essay summarizing the training activities, as required by the academic regulations; - have prepared a written paper for the final exam (Thesis) which will be subject to presentation and specific assessment. The degree dissertation is an original elaborate written by the student under the guidance of a supervisor. The assigned topic for the degree dissertation can be connected to the internship activity The assessment of the final examination will also take account of the internship activity, according to criteria established in the regulation of the Course board. The Degree examination consists of the presentation of the original dissertation to a Board appointed by the relevant academic bodies. The final examination aims at verifying graduate's capability of writing a paper related to his/her academic education and also to support the topics in front of experts in the field or not.

course outline
Teachings first year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
12549 - INDUSTRIAL PLANTS AND LOGISTICS - INTEGRATED COURSE VALLONE (PA)VALLONE MARIANGELA 12.0 1 V
LOGISTICS OF AGRO-FOOD PRODUCTS AIELLO (PA) 6.0 C ING-IND/17
AGRO-FOOD PLANTS VALLONE (PA) 6.0 B AGR/09
15367 - POST HARVEST QUALITY IN FRUIT GROWING INGLESE (PO)INGLESE PAOLO 6.0 1 V B AGR/03
15373 - QUALITY OF HERBACEOUS CROPS - INTEGRATED COURSE FRENDA (PA)FRENDA ALFONSO SALVATORE 12.0 1 V
QUALITY IN HORTICULTURE MICELI (PA) 6.0 B AGR/04
QUALITY OF HERBACEOUS CROPS FRENDA (PA) 6.0 B AGR/02
12547 - PROCESSES OF AGRO-FOOD PRODUCTS TODARO (PA)TODARO ALDO 6.0 2 V B AGR/15
12548 - FOOD CONTROL - INTEGRATED COURSE MASSA (PQ)MASSA BRUNO 15.0 2 V
MYCOTIC CONTAMINATION OF FOOD TORTA (RU) 3.0 C AGR/12
STORED PRODUCTS ENTOMOLOGY MASSA (PQ) 6.0 B AGR/11
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FOOD SETTANNI (PO) 6.0 B AGR/16
15382 - QUALITY OF ZOOTECHNICAL PRODUCTS AND ANIMAL FEED - INTEGRATED COURSE TODARO (PA)TODARO MASSIMO 9.0 2 V
QUALITY OF ZOOTECHNICAL PRODUCTS DI GRIGOLI (PA) 6.0 B AGR/19
ANIMAL ALIMENTATION TODARO (PA) 3.0 C AGR/18
Free subjects 9.0 D
Teachings second year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
05917 - FINAL EXAMINATION 12.0 1 G E
07553 - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3.0 1 G F
08054 - EU AGRICULTURAL POLICY CRESCIMANNO (PO)CRESCIMANNO MARIA 6.0 1 V B AGR/01
12557 - AGRI-FOOD BUSINESS MANAGEMENT BORSELLINO (PA)BORSELLINO VALERIA 6.0 1 V B AGR/01
15383 - QUALITY, CERTIFICATION AND MARKETING IN THE AGRO-FOOD SECTOR - INTEGRATED COURSE COLUMBA (PO)COLUMBA PIETRO 12.0 1 V
MARKET ECONOMICS AND MARKETING OF THE AGRO-FOOD SYSTEM BACARELLA (PA) 6.0 B AGR/01
QUALITY CERTIFICATION AND ECONOMICS COLUMBA (PO) 6.0 B AGR/01
16621 - FOOD CONSUMPTION SOCIOLOGY DIOGUARDI (PC)DIOGUARDI VANESSA 6.0 2 V C SPS/10
16622 - FOOD PRODUCTS PACKAGING BOTTA (PA)BOTTA LUIGI 6.0 2 V C ING-IND/22
Explaination
Term Term/Semester
Val. Valutation: V = mark in 30/30, G = note
(*) Teaching attended in english
Go to top