Master in Horticulture: Seed Science and Technology

Horticulture: Seed Science and Technology is a master's program taught in English at Poznan University of Life Sciences, in Poznan, Poland, running over four semesters. The program combines theory and practice in plant breeding and seed production and is aimed at students seeking an international career in this area. It was established at Poznan University of Life Sciences in the academic year 1995/96 and includes more than 800 hours of lectures, laboratory classes, seminars, field trips, and seed company visits, with these activities taking place in Poland, France, and Italy. The curriculum was built mainly for international students who already hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Biotechnology, or Biology. Coursework spans seed production and technology, routine and advanced methods of seed testing, genetics and plant breeding, molecular biology, pomological and ornamental nursery production, seed biology, seed diseases and pests, business management within the seed industry, landscape architecture, and extension work connected to the seed sector, alongside coverage of current trends across horticulture more broadly. Seed science and technology as a field addresses how new plant varieties are developed, tested, produced, and distributed, and it sits at the intersection of plant genetics, agronomy, and quality control. Graduates are positioned to work across the plant breeding and seed production sector, whether in company research and development, seed testing laboratories, nursery production, or trade and extension roles connected to horticulture and agriculture. Because the program combines classroom study with visits to seed companies and fieldwork across three countries, it gives students direct exposure to how seed science is applied commercially within the European Union, alongside the academic grounding needed for further specialization in plant breeding or agricultural science.