Program Overview

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Plant Breeding: Germplasm and Seed Technology

This academic-level online course is designed for working professionals in the plant breeding sector, providing an in-depth understanding of various key aspects of the field. The course covers important topics such as the process of domestication, germplasm development, gene banks, breeders' rights and patents, seed production programs, and seed quality. The practical applications of these theories are emphasized, as the course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their careers.

Course Details

• Organised by: Wageningen Academy
• Date: Monday, 28 September 2026, until Friday, 23 October 2026
• Duration: 4 weeks (20 hours per week)
• Price: EUR 1,230.00

Target Audience

This course is the perfect opportunity for working professionals in the plant breeding sector to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills. The comprehensive course will provide participants with the tools they need to succeed and advance in their careers, especially in combination with other advanced Online Master's Courses in Plant Breeding.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Participants should have sufficient knowledge of concepts and methodologies related to plant biology, such as (Mendelian) genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology, molecular biology, and plant pathology and epidemiology. If participants lack certain knowledge or skills, it is recommended that they join the course Principles of Plant Breeding and/or Plant Pathology and Disease Epidemiology first.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the theory of domestication, the gene pool concept, and the process of germplasm development.
• Explain the importance of gene banks and how they work.
• Understand how seed production programs are designed.
• Understand seed quality aspects and explain how seed quality can be improved.

Programme

This course introduces participants to several important aspects of plant breeding, such as the process of domestication, germplasm development, and the importance of gene banks. Important practical aspects of bringing a cultivar to the market are also discussed, including breeders' rights and patents, and the design of seed and plant production programs. Seed physiology and seed quality aspects receive thorough attention, as the seed is often the actual product sold by breeding companies.

Course Structure

The course is an online course at the master level that participants follow in a cohort. Learners participate at different time points and from different time zones, as most learners also have a job. The program offers learning activities that allow supervised self-study at the participant's own pace, with deadlines for assignments, and includes:

• Knowledge clips
• E-learning modules
• Online individual and group exercises and assignments
• Read literature
• Online discussions
• Occasionally, live question hours through MS Teams at specific dates and times There are no online live classes. The exam has a fixed date.

Course Materials

• Book chapters made available through the WUR library:
  • Seeds, Physiology of Development, Germination and Dormancy (3rd ed.) by J. Derek Bewley, Kent J. Bradford, Henk W.M. Hilhorst, and Hiro Nonogaki, 2013. Springer, 392 pp.
  • Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding (2nd ed.) by Acquaah, G, 2012.
• DVD made available through the learning environment: Seed hunter.
• Articles made available through the WUR library.

Time Commitment

This course is quite time-intensive and requires approximately 20 hours per week for the average participant. There are assignments with deadlines.

Examination

Participation in the remotely proctored exam is optional. If participants decide not to participate in the exam, they do not qualify for a certificate and/or Micro-credentials.

• The date of examination is 23 October 2025.
• The duration of an exam is 3 hours.
• The resit will be scheduled on 3 or 4 February 2026.

Certification

Upon successful completion (passing the exam), a digital Micro-credentials certificate (EduBadge) with 3 study credits (ECTS) is issued. The EduBadge certifies the learning outcomes of short-term learning experiences, marking the quality of a course.

Coordinated by

• ir. MGC (Monique) Tulp-Jansen, Programme manager
• dr.ir. JC (Jan-Kees) Goud, Docent

Related Courses

• Plant Breeding: Markers in Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding
• Plant Breeding: Plant Pathology and Disease Epidemiology
• Online Master's Plant Breeding
• All online master's courses