DEGREE IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (CLASS 20)
PROGRAMME AND REGULATIONS
The degree in Agricultural Science and Technology (class 20) complies with all the general
objectives stated in the Italian Ministerial Decree of 4/8/2000 for class 20. It is a broad-based
degree with a technical and economics specialisation. It includes all the main core subjects for
agricultural science (botany, genetics, agricultural chemistry, ecology, agronomy, crop production
plant protection, agricultural industries, microbiology) with further study of land appraisal and
economics, as well as technical and engineering components. The degree involves a total of 19
examinations. The students may choose areas of study equivalent to 18 credits, according to their
own interests Graduates in this discipline should display the skills required for:
 The management and control of agricultural systems and production and the main technological,
economic and ecological features;
 Farm management, appraisal of land, farm structures, technical inputs and products in
agricultural systems;
 First stage of product processing and conservation;
 Planning of works/interventions in the agricultural system: rural buildings, irrigation systems,
land hydraulic systems, farm mechanisation, crop plans and protection;
 The technical and economic assistance to farm enterprises;
 A sound foundation in cultural, technological and scientific skills to facilitate keeping abreast of
the latest developments in the profession.
The degree course is open to all those who satisfy the minimum university entrance requirements as
prescribed by law (Italian high school diploma or foreign equivalent).
A summary of specific courses for the degree is given, followed by a more detailed explanation of
individual course objectives and number of credits.
The student must carry out a work traineeship in enterprises, firms, professional studios or
institutions outside the university, which operate in the agricultural, agroindustrial or related
sectors. The traineeship is equivalent to 10 credits. It can be partially or totally substituted with a
course at a suitable university; the course must be equivalent to 10 credits.
The examinations may include periodic written tests during the course, discussion of projects,
assignments and final written and oral examinations.
The final examination involves a dissertation regarding an aspect of the work traineeship or
regarding the study, research, experimentation and/or planning on a practical problem, displaying
adequate critical analysis and correct procedures.
Three-year course timetable for Agricultural Science and Technology degree,
divided into terms.
Ist Year
Term
Subject
I
Mathematics
General and organic chemistry
Foreign language
II
Agricultural genetics
Physics I
Principles of agricultural economics
III
Agricultural ecology
Agricultural biochemistry
Agricultural botany
Course of student’s choice
Credits
6
8
6
6
6
9
6
6
6
1
Lecturer (2001-2002)
Marucci
7
8
5
9
12
9
10
Trovatelli
Biondi
7
5
8
8
8
4
10
4
6
Anelli
Venzi
Pica
Gusman
Porceddu
De Santis
Severini
Caporali
Giovannozzi
Maggini
2nd Year
IV
V
VI
Agricultural microbiology
Agricultural mechanisation
Course of student’s choice
Principles of animal husbandry
Principles of agronomy and crop production
Principles of plant protection
Agricultural economics and policy
Nardone, Morera
Campiglia
Magro, Pucci
Angeli, Perone Pacifico
3rd Year
VII
Agricultural industries
Land appraisal
Hydraulics and irrigation
VIII Rural construction
Course of student’s choice
Information technology practicals
IX
Work traineeship
Course of student’s choice
Final examination
Carlini
Description of individual course objectives and number of credits
2ND YEAR: 4TH TERM
AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY (7 CREDITS)
Notions of history of microbiology with reference to the development of research technology. Cell
structure, bacteria morphology and main functions. Physiology of microorganisms, metabolic
systems and energy production. Viruses: structure and replication. Concepts of bacterial genetics
and genetic transformation.
AGRICULTURAL MECHANISATION (8 CREDITS)
Tractors: types and component systems. Problems of movement and stability of moving machinery.
Main machines used for primary and secondary land tillage, for sowing, fertilising, treating and
harvesting main field crops.
5TH TERM
PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (9 CREDITS)
Morphological and functional characteristics of animals and races bred. Notions of animal
demography, husbandry and vital statistics, reproduction systems and selection objectives.
Principles of nutrition and food composition. Feed production, conservation and preparation.
Criteria for formulating rations.
PRINCIPLES OF AGRONOMY AND CROP PRODUCTION (12 CREDITS)
Features of the crop system: climate and agricultural crops; soil. systemisation and tilling of soil.
Irrigation. Organic and mineral fertilisers. Weed control. Crop association and rotation. Principles
of morphology and physiology of main herbaceous plants. Autumn-winter crops and spring-summer
crops. Principles of morphology and physiology of main vegetable, flower and fruit tree crops.
6TH TERM
PRINCIPLES OF PLANT PROTECTION (9 CREDITS)
Knowledge of symptoms and causes of disease, factors of predisposition and the biological cycle of
pathogens. Identification of main insects damaging to crops. Study of methods of plant protection
from disease and phytophages whilst respecting man and the environment.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY (10 CREDITS)
Notions as regards the agricultural enterprise. Enterprise financial balance. Farm planning.
European agricultural policy. Instruments of European policy for guaranteeing agriculture,
modernising structures and for rural development. Conflict and compatibility of European policy
with markets. European policy in the national context for the agricultural sector. Partnerships
between the European Union, the Italian state and Italian Regions.
3RD YEAR: 7TH TERM
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES (7 CREDITS)
The Italian wine industry. Tradition and innovation in oenology. The dairy industry from milk
production to finished products. The most recent acquisitions in the restoration of raw materials.
The oil industry: tradition and development. The latest extraction techniques and comparison with
the traditional methods. Rectification processes for oil and quality of finished products.
LAND APPRAISAL (5 CREDITS)
The appraisal doctrine and its intrinsic nature. The steps in appraisal: the economic features of a
property; the synthetic approach and analytical approach; determination of land rent and of
capitalisation rate. Evaluation of land improvements of fruit trees and of farms/firms. Legal
appraisal, insured damages, expropriation, inheritance law. Cadastal survey and taxation.
HYDRAULICS AND IRRIGATION (8 CREDITS)
Notions of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics. Provision of irrigation water. Pumping systems.
Design and control of pipelines and channels Water-land relationships. Organisation of irrigation
systems or farm irrigation;. Irrigation methods land drainage. Quality of water used for irrigation.
Vulnerability of water resources and related pollution.
8TH TERM
RURAL CONSTRUCTION (8 CREDITS)
Energy balance in agricultural buildings. Preparation for protected crops. Buildings for cattle, pigs,
sheep and poultry. Buildings for storage and treatment of waste. Materials and construction
techniques. The statics of simple structures (pillars, walls, beams, floors, coverings, etc.)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRACTICALS
Knowledge and practice of main writing, spreadsheet and database programmes.