Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)
1(3)
Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)
General information
The Master's Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS) provides students with an advanced understanding of the
principles of sustainable plant production. It also endows the graduates with the knowledge needed for further development of plant
production in response to rapidly changing challenges in the food and agricultural sector. The focus of MScPPS studies ranges from
molecular and cell biology to ecology and food production systems.
Studies are based on a personal study plan. The programme offers five specialist options: Agroecology, Crop Science, Horticulture,
Plant Breeding, and Plant Pathology. You also have an opportunity to specialise in Plant Virology or Nordic Plant Pathology Studies
within Plant Pathology. You choose your specialization line during the first term of your studies. All teaching is given in English.
Degree structure
The programme consists of general studies (15 credits), major subject studies (74-80 credits including the 40-credit Master’s Thesis)
and elective studies related to the chosen specialisation (25-31 credits). The estimated duration of studies is two years.
Admission to the Programme
The application deadline is end of January annually. For further details, please visit http://www.helsinki.fi/mscpps/admission/
Careers
With the knowledge and experience that you acquire during your studies in any of the specialties of the MScPPS, you are qualified for a
broad range of employment. Public-sector employers include universities, government agencies such as Ministries of Agriculture and
research institutes, extension organizations, international agricultural research organizations, polytechnics and secondary schools.
Private-sector employers include plant breeding companies, biotechnology companies, extension consultancies and the agricultural
chemical, fertilizer and pesticide industry.
Contact information
MScPPS coordinator
Niklander-Teeri, Viola, Doc., MScPPS coordinator/student adviser, Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 5, Cbuilding, room 131, Tel. 191 58424, email viola.niklander-teeri@helsinki.fi
Person in charge of MScPPS
Korpelainen, Helena, Univ. lecturer., Head of the MScPPS steering committee, Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 27,
Latokartanonkaari 5, C-building, room 205, Tel. 191 58383, email helena.korpelainen@helsinki.fi
Person in charge of Nordic Plant Pathology Studies
Pirhonen, Minna, Univ. lecturer, Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 27, Latokartanonkaari 7, B-building, room 143 , Tel. 191 59621,
email minna.pirhonen@helsinki.f
Further information
http://www.helsinki.fi/mscpps/
Degree Requirements 2011−2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS) 120 credits
MASTER’S DEGREE, 120 credits
ECTS
credits
timing
year/period
arranged
in odd or
even year
3
2
3
5
2
1/I
1/I
1/IV
1/IV
2/II
1-2
3
1/I-IV or summer
1-2/I-IV
GENERAL STUDIES, 15 credits (includes 1 cr integrated studies)
KTT410
993734
882588
KTT407
993735
Introduction to Agricultural Sciences
and Biotechnology(1 cr of Personal Study Plan (PSP) integrated)
Academic Writing I
Bioethics and Legislation
Experimental Design and Analysis
Academic Writing II
MAJOR SUBJECT STUDIES, 74-80 credits (includes 1 cr integrated studies)
Advanced studies for all specialist options, 49-50 credits
KTT501
Working Life Orientation courses or
KTT301 Practical Training in Master’s Degree, 2 cr
Seminars in Plant Production Sciences
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)
KTT406
(1 cr of ICT studies integrated)
Scientific Writing
Master’s Thesis (AEKO503, KVIL503, PTARH503, JAL503, KPAT503)
Maturity Essay (80079)
2(3)
5
40
0
2/I
2
2
In addition, 25-30 credits of advanced studies listed below or other courses when there are reasonable grounds must be chosen
according to the student´s choice of specialist option (Agroecology, Crop Science, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, and Plant Pathology)
and approved by the professor of that option.
Agroecology, 25 credits
AEKO301
Farm as an Agroecosystem
AEKO403
Agroecosystem and Agrobiodiversity
AEKO501
Sustainable Food Systems
AEKO502
Literature in Agroecology
5
5
5
10
1/III
1-2/II
1-2/II
1-2/open
Crop Science, 28 credits
KTT403
Stress Physiology
KTT401
Crop Physiology
KTT405
Crop Physiology Practicals
KVIL303
Field Crop Quality
KVIL304
Field Crop Quality laboratory course
KVIL302
World Crops
KVIL502
Literature in Crop Science
3
3
5
3
4
5
5
1/II
1/III
1/III-IV
1/IV
1/IV
1-2/II
1-2/open
Horticulture, 28 credits
KBIOT301
Laboratory Course in Plant Biotechnology
KTT401
Crop Physiology
KTT405
Crop Physiology Practicals
PTARH303
Postharvest Physiology and Technology
PTARH402
Photobiology
PTARH502
Literature in Horticulture
5
3
5
5
5
5
1/III
1/III
1/III-IV
1-2/II
1-2/IV
1-2/open
Plant Breeding, 25 credits
KBIOT300
Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
JAL403
Molecular Methods in Applied Plant Genetics
JAL402
Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
JAL502
Literature in Plant Breeding
5
5
5
10
1/III
1-2/I
1-2/IV
1-2/open
Plant Pathology, 30 credits
KPAT401
Epidemiology and Ecology of Plant Pathogens
KPAT404
Plant Virology
KPAT405
Plant Pathogenic Bacteria
KPAT501
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Molecular Defence of Plants
KPAT502
Literature in Plant Pathology
5
5
5
10
5
1-2/I
1-2/II
1-2/II
2/III
1-2/open
Specialisation in Plant Virology, 25-30 credits:
910002
Virus Club Seminars
1,5-3
KPAT401
Epidemiology and Ecology of Plant Pathogens
5
KPAT404
Plant Virology
5
KPAT504
Advanced Laboratory Training in Virology I
7
KPAT507
Additional Studies in Virology
open
KPAT506
Literature in Plant Virology
5
See also the other Viikki virology courses: http://blogs.helsinki.fi/virologiaopetus/virology-education/
1-2/I-IV
1-2/I
1-2/II
1-2/open
1-2/open
1-2/open
even
odd
even
odd
odd
even
even
even
even
odd
even
even
Specialisation in Nordic Plant Pathology studies:
See the NOVA courses: http://www.nova-university.org/pagetop.cfm?MenySidorTop_id=2&open=7
OTHER STUDIES, 25-31 credits
Theoretical, methodological or multidisciplinary studies related to the specialist option. Courses from other faculties and universities can
also be approved. Studies are based on personal study plan approved by the professor. Courses taught in other languages than
English may be included in the Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS) in up to 25 % of the total credits
(i.e. maximum of 30 credits) .
In addition to the major subject courses of other specialist options within the Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science,
studies may include following courses:
Agroecology
AEKO505
MAAT401
AEKO506
Wildlife in the Farming Environment
Basic Literature on Organic Farming and Food
Advanced Training in a Research Group
5
3-5
5-10
1/I
1-2/open
1-2/open
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Study guide 2011-2014, updated to academic year 2013-2014
Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)
3(3)
Crop Science
KTT404
KVIL403
RIKKA502
KVIL402
Stress Physiology Laboratory Course
Book Summary
Literature in Weed Science
Advanced Training in a Research Group
2
3
3
5-10
1/II
1-2/open
1-2/open
1-2/open
Horticulture
KTT403
KTT404
KBIOT300
PTARH403
PTARH504
Stress Physiology
Stress Physiology Laboratory Course
Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
Horticulture for Human Well-being
Advanced Training in a Research Group
3
5
5
5
5-10
1/II
1/II
1/III
1-2/IV
open
Plant Breeding
KBIOT301
JAL504
JAL505
JAL507
Laboratory Course in Plant Biotechnology
Breeding of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Forest Tree Breeding
Advanced Training in a Research Group
5
5
5
5-10
1/III-IV
1-2/I
1-2/I
1-2/open
5
open
5
5-10
1-2/I
1-2/open
1-2/open
1-2/open
7
1-2/open
Agricultural Zoology
MEHI301
Bees, Beekeeping and Pollination
MAEL403
Integrated Plant Protection
MAEL402
Biological Control of Insects, Pests and Weeds
MAEL504
Advanced Training in a Research Group
8
5
3
5-10
1-2/IV
1-2/II
1-2/IV
1-2/open
odd
odd
Environmental Soil Science courses of relevance to crop production
MAA265
Soil Science Laboratory Practical Ia
MAA365
Soil Science Laboratory Practical Ib
MAA500
Advanced Soil Science
MAA541
Pedogenesis and Soil Classification
MAA620
Optional readings in Environmental Soil Science
MAA270
Environmental Soil Science Readings I
5
5
5
3
3-6
5
1-2/II
1-2/IV
1-2/III
1-2/II
1-2/open
1-2/open
even
odd
Forest Ecology and Pathology courses of relevance to crop production
TROP120
Agriculture, Agroforestry and Forestry in Developing Countries
TROP240
Participatory Methods in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
MPAT132
Basic Biotechnology in Forestry
MPAT221
Advanced Forest Mycology and Pathology
MPAT131
Forest Microbiology
3
5
5
10
10
1-2/I
1-2/I
1-2/I
1-2/II
1-2/II
97000 Orientation course
http://www.helsinki.fi/orientation/
2
1/I
Working Life Orientation courses, e.g. Curriculum for Career Viikki
http://www.helsinki.fi/urapalvelut/english/students/courses.html
1
1-2/II
Plant Club Seminars
http://www.helsinki.fi/bioscience/plantsignal/english/plantclub.htm
1,5-4,5
1-2/I-IV
Plant Pathology
KPAT402
Fungal Pathogens of Plants
KPAT400
Additional Studies in Plant Pathology
KPAT406
Plant Pathology in Changing World
KPAT508
Advanced Training in a Research Group
Specialisation in Plant Virology:
KPAT505
Advanced Laboratory Training in Virology II
Courses in the other Master’s Degree programmes in Viikki
MBIOT: http://www.helsinki.fi/biotech/
MENVI: http://www.helsinki.fi/menvi/
MScFood: http://www.helsinki.fi/mscfood/
MScFB: http://www.helsinki.fi/mscfb/
Courses in the Department of Biosciences
http://www.helsinki.fi/biosciences/studies/
odd
odd
even
odd