MSc programme in Plant Protection

The two-year training MSC programme at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Georgikon Campus Keszthely) has long and successful experience in research and training in agriculture, offers specialization in plant protection. The curriculum has a practical and theoretical orientation.. It covers not only some advanced knowledge in biology and ecology of pests living together with cultivated plants, but prepares for managing, organizing, consulting, regulating and marketing tasks.

The graduate students s are able to recognize pests (pathogens, weeds, insects), which are threatening our cultivated plants and to know the effects and mechanism of pesticides from the point of human health and environmental protection. They can prevent the harms and damages caused by the pests and they apply the procedures of ecological and integrated plant protection in order to reduce the pesticide use from an environmental point of view.. In their work, they are always attentive to the food safety, processors, consumers and the environment. Thanks to their higher degree in plant protection, they are also entitled to use first-category pesticides.The further aim is to prepare the interested and inspired students for research work and PhD training in the field of plant protection.

Is this programme for me?

YES -If you have a bachelor (BSc) degree in agriculture, biology, chemistry or related sciences and you want to specialize yourself to solve complex problems in plant protection.

YES- If you want to build your career in agricultural industry, agricultural services or research institutes, international organizations, consulting companies, public administration and advisory boards, governmental agencies. Large chemical companies typically have divisions specialized in pesticide (herbicides, fungicides, insecticide) production, agricultural engineering and other crop protection services. Governmental organizations also offer employment opportunities for specialists in crop protection.

Reasons to study as an MSc student at MATE Georgikon Campus

Georgikon, founded by count György Festetics in 1797 is the first independent higher education institution in Europe, which has been training higher agricultural specialists in Keszthely for 225 years. In its teaching and research portfolio, the discipline of plant protection always played an important role. This is also proved by the fact that the Institute of Plant Protection was established here in 1972 for the first time in the country. Since 1970 the university degree of agrochemical and agronomic engineer has been started together with the participations of University of Pannonia (Georgikon Faculty of Agricultural Sciences) and University of Veszprém. Later (in 1987), due to the suggestion of Hungarian Plant Protection Society (within Hungarian Association of Agricultural Sciences)- with the active participation of the Plant Protection Institute – a proposal was made for the authorization of the plant protection profession in the form of private practice and to start plant doctor training. At the Agricultural Faculty of University of Pannonia for the first time of the world the plant doctor program was launched in 2000 in the form of five years of training.

The application for accreditation of a professional establishment (plant doctor MSc) – with the active participation of the partner institutions - was finished in 2005. Education started in 2006 and 2008 years in Hungarian and English language, respectively. Actually, the university professors of the Department of Plant Protection take part in the education of plant doctor MSc (full time) and plant protection engineering training (correspondence training). Plant Protection Forum organized at Keszthely has been traditional for over 30 years. Both basic- applied and technological developmental works are included into the research field of the Department

Keszthely is a little townon the coast of Lake Balaton,, provides a peaceful location for study as well as for sports and students’ life. The working groups (consist of 10-15 students) develop close professional and human relations with each other and with the group members

Living in Hungary is relatively cheap. The University assists the students in finding a proper accommodation in the flats available for renting. Students at Keszthely can stay also in ”Pethe Ferenc” Student Hostel.