MS Horticultural Genetics and Biotechnology

The Master on Horticultural Genetics & Biotechnology provides a two-year Master of Science degree programme for scientists holding a university Bachelors's degree in agronomy, biology, horticulture, agricultural engineering, chemistry, plant science, or any related field.

The programme aims to empower the students mentoring experiences of high quality in the mechanisms, capabilities, uses, and limitations of plant biotechnology using cutting edge technologies on high throughput omics, genetics, bioinformatics, and plant genetic engineering.

Great progress has been made over the last two decades in understanding plant biology and genetics, due to the rapid developments in applied plant biotechnology and molecular breeding techniques. These, in turn, have had an enormous impact on the science and practice of agriculture and horticulture.

The major goals of the Department of Horticultural Genetics and Biotechnology are to provide the students with a thorough grounding in the mechanisms, capabilities, uses and limitations of plant biotechnological methods so that they will be able to apply them to problems related to horticultural production and quality.

The first year students receive a solid theoretical background and practical training, leading to the attainment of a DSPU certificate, attending classes and extensive laboratory courses in the following fields:

Applied plant molecular genetics and biotechnology including the hormonal and developmental regulation of gene expression, in vitro and tissue culture techniques, and transformation strategies

Applied plant genetics including marker-assisted breeding, risk assessment for Genetically Modified Organisms, Genetically Modified Organism certification protocols and Arabidopsis genetics

Emphasis throughout the course is placed on horticultural crops and their products. In the second year, students who have successfully completed the first year will develop advanced molecular biology technical skills and independent thinking by working on research projects in modern, well-equipped laboratories leading to a Master’s of Science degree.

Established in 1962, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) is a Mediterranean intergovernmental organization composed of 13 Member States (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey).

It operates through its 4 Institutes based in Bari (Italy), Chania (Greece), Montpellier (France), and Zaragoza (Spain), and the Headquarters based in Paris.

As a key player in multilateral cooperation in the fields of sustainable agriculture and fisheries, food systems, coastal and rural development, its missions revolve around four main objectives:

Protection of the planet by combating all forms of waste: waste of natural resources, food waste, and waste of knowledge and know-how

Food and nutrition security by boosting sustainable agriculture and food systems

Inclusive development by investing in new generations and fragile territories

Prevention of crises by managing tensions and working for the resilience of communities