Master’s Degree in Horticultural Science (IMAHS)

The programme offers advanced specialisation in horticulture, with particular attention to the sustainability of production and the quality of products. The content of the first two semesters, held at the University of Bologna, includes economic and ecological sustainability, biotechnology, crop physiology, quality and mechanisation. In the third semester, in Bolzano, the programme focuses on the sustainable management of orchards and vineyards and on supply chain management, and then concludes with the internship and thesis preparation in the fourth semester. Students study how genetics, physiology and cultivation techniques influence yield and quality, learning to balance production needs, farm profitability and the protection of natural resources.

Teaching is spread over four semesters, equal to two years, full time and in person on two campuses. Activities include lectures, labs, field visits and the Academic Basecamp initiatives, devoted to developing soft skills, that is, the transferable skills useful in teamwork and professional communication. The internship is compulsory and takes place in the fourth semester, in connection with the companies in the horticultural sector with which the programme has established partnerships. A distinctive feature is the possibility of obtaining a double degree thanks to European mobility, an opportunity that makes the programme particularly interesting for those who want an international profile. The page does not specify the language of instruction, which should be checked in the call for applications or on the university's website. Moving between two university locations also offers the chance to experience different production and research settings, from large fruit-growing areas to mountain viticulture. The two-campus structure combines the scientific expertise of a large general university with the specific strengths of a university located in a territory with a strong fruit-growing and wine-growing vocation, encouraging contact with producers, consortia and research centres.

The aim is to train specialists in horticulture with an orientation towards research, varietal development and technical consulting. Related professions include agronomist, agri-food supply chain consultant, food technologist and sustainable development expert. The programme is suited to graduates in agricultural, food or biological fields who wish to deepen their knowledge of the production and management of horticultural, fruit and wine crops with up-to-date scientific and technological tools, in a sector called upon to combine productivity, quality and respect for the environment and that requires professionals able to engage with researchers, companies and institutions. The skills acquired make it possible to work in research, in technical assistance to farms and in supply chain management, or to go on to a PhD in agricultural sciences.