Program Overview

Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (Bachelor of Science, B.Sc.)

The Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences programme offers access to experimental plots and greenhouses in the city. The programme prepares students for diverse career paths, from practical work and research to consulting and service provision in light of global challenges such as climate change and resource conservation, students will acquire essential skills for sustainable agriculture and horticulture.

At a Glance

• Degree: Bachelor of Science (Monobachelor)
• Offered as: Monobachelor
• Standard period of study: 6 semesters
• Study type: Fundamental
• Teaching degree: Not related to teaching
• Application for the 1st semester: Summer semester, Winter semester
• Admission restriction (NC): Unrestricted admission in the 1st sem, unrestricted admission in the higher sem
• Teaching language: German

Course Structure and Content

What Kind of Content Can I Expect?

The framework conditions for agricultural and horticultural production are changing dramatically: rising temperatures, extreme drought, heavy rainfall, and changes in flora and fauna are creating problems around the world that agricultural and horticultural scientists can help to overcome. Against the backdrop of increasing demand for food, but also for energy crops and renewable raw materials, we are faced with fundamental questions: How do we deal with nature? How do we obtain grain, vegetables, eggs, milk, meat, fish, and other products in sufficient quantity and quality? How do we ensure animal welfare? How do we preserve natural resources such as healthy soil, clean water, and clean air? How do we preserve biodiversity? How can farms still operate profitably in the face of increasing demands for multifunctionality? How much bureaucratic regulation do we need? How important is agricultural production from the view of society? What prospects do technical innovation, AI, and digitalization offer us?

How is the Program Structured?

Mono-bachelor's Course Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (180 CP)

• Mandatory Modules (120 CP)
  • PM 01: Introduction: Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences as an Inter- and Transdisciplinary Systems Science (5 CP)
  • PM 02: Fundamentals of Biochemistry (5 CP)
  • PM 03: Fundamentals of Agricultural Ecology (10 CP)
  • PM 04: Fundamentals of Phytomedicine (10 CP)
  • PM 05: Fundamentals of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (10 CP)
  • PM 06: Mathematics and Statistics (10 CP)
  • PM 07: Horticultural Plant Systems (10 CP)
  • PM 08: Physical Engineering Principles in Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (10 CP)
  • PM 09: Introduction to Economics (5 CP)
  • PM 10: Animals and Society (5 CP)
  • PM 11: Basics of Agricultural Management (10 CP)
  • PM 12: Plant Cultivation and Plant Breeding (10 CP)
  • PM 13: Agricultural Policy, Environmental and Resource Economics (10 CP)
  • PM 14: Final Module / Bachelor's Thesis (10 CP)
• Mandatory Elective Modules (40 CP)
  • Choose modules totaling 40 ECTS credits:
    • WPM 01: Natural Spatial Basis of Land and Water Use (10 CP)
    • WPM 02: Forage Cultivation and Preservation (10 CP)
    • WPM 03: Animal Welfare and Behavior (10 CP)
    • WPM 04: Study Project Horticulture and Agricultural Sciences (5 CP)
    • WPM 05: Applied Site Ecology and Water Management (10 CP)
    • WPM 06: Soil Protection (10 CP)
    • WPM 07: Special Fruit Growing (10 CP)
    • WPM 08: Tree Physiology, Applied Dendrology and Vitality Diagnostics (10 CP)
    • WPM 09: Greenhouse and Indoor Production Technology (10 CP)
    • WPM 10: Organic Farming (10 CP)
    • WPM 11: Bridging Module Learning Science: First Steps (5 CP)
    • WPM 12: Quantitative Data Analysis (5 CP)
    • WPM 13: Ecological Genetics, Gene Conservation and Use of Woody Plants (10 CP)
    • WPM 14: Plant Protection (10 CP)
    • WPM 15: Model-Assisted Plant Breeding (10 CP)
    • WPM 16: Biology of Animals (5 CP)
    • WPM 17: Governance, Politics and Markets (10 CP)
    • WPM 18: Agricultural Management II (10 CP)
    • WPM 19: Applied Phytomedicine (10 CP)
    • WPM 20: Current Aspects of Horticultural and Agricultural Sciences I (5 CP)
    • WPM 21: Current Aspects of Horticultural and Agricultural Sciences II (10 CP)
• General Elective Modules (ÜWP) (20 CP)
  • Modules totaling 20 ECTS credits can be freely chosen from the designated module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions.

Special Features

What Makes Studying This Subject Special?

The degree programme is set up as a full-time course. Lectures, seminars, and tutorials are usually held in person and are supplemented by digital offerings. The university operates experimental areas and greenhouses that are located in or near the city and can be reached by public transport.

What Skills and Interests Should I Have?

Students of agricultural and horticultural sciences should be flexible and versatile. Hardly any other study course leads to so many different areas of employment in practice, in science, services, and consulting at home and abroad.

Career Opportunities & Prospects

Which Further Courses of Study Can I Apply For?

The institute offers a diverse range of Master's degree programmes, including those with an international focus: "Agricultural Economics", "Horticultural Science", "Integrated Natural Resource Management", "Process and Quality Management in Agriculture and Horticulture", and "Rural Development".

What Career Prospects Do I Have With This Degree?

Successful completion of the degree programme qualifies students for a wide range of activities in horticultural and agricultural enterprises in practice, in science, services, and consulting at home and abroad, e.g., in marketing or quality assurance, as well as in civil society organizations, authorities, and offices.

Contact Information for the Institute

Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences

• Address: Institutsgebäude/Hauptgebäude, Invalidenstraße 42 (Hauptgebäude), 10115 Berlin