Study programme - MSc Plant Sciences
The programme starts each year in September; it has a duration of two years and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. Credits are measured in terms of the hours of study involved: one credit is equivalent to a study load of 28 hours. Most Wageningen MSc Programmes include the academic consultancy training and an academic internship.
Course
Preceding the thesis project, a selection of courses (at graduate level) will be composed for each individual student in accordance with the thesis topic, and related to the chosen specialisation. The rest depends on the chosen specialisation. For more information on the courses offered in each of the specialisations, please refer to the online Study Handbook.
Major thesis
The core of the programme, with a minimum of 36 credits, is a scientific research project which is concluded by writing a thesis. The subject of the thesis is developed in consultation with a senior staff member of Wageningen University. If the necessary facilities and technical guidance are available, part of the research work may - in some cases - be done in the home country or another country.
Internship
The internship is a learning period during which the relationship with professional practice is emphasised and usually lasts about four months. Some students can be exempted from the internship based on relevant working experience. If you believe you should be exempted from the internship, you need to contact the programme director.
Academic Consultancy Training
During the Academic Consultancy Training (ACT), general academic skills and academic research and/or design skills are applied to a scientific area that is relevant to the master's study programme, in the form of an external research or design assignment. This may be design of new technologies, but also policy papers, business plans, communications or draft research plans are possibilities. This is done in an multidisciplinary team of four to seven students.