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 - agro-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 quality products and 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, agro-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 agro-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 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.
