Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Bachelor
L-25 - Agriculture and forestry industry
The undergraduate course in Sustainable Agriculture is designed to train a professional figure in the agricultural field with both a solid basic preparation and specific knowledge of the agronomist in the current context.
The course is structured to provide a high level of multidisciplinary preparation and therefore give the graduate a high degree of attractiveness towards the working environment. The same training also represents an adequate basis for continuing the studies in a master?s degree course.
The skills and tools acquired during the educational path have the main objective of providing graduates with the ability to design and manage production processes (plants and animals), considering the quality of the product and the sustainability of the agricultural system. Other training objectives are represented by the acquisition of the concepts of bio-economy and circular economy, to allow the management of the entire production process and provide or facilitate the use of by-products.
In addition, various skills provided in the course are oriented to the management of natural resources, land management, the production of renewable energy, the transformation and the enhancement of by-products in agricultural areas.
The course is structured to provide a high level of multidisciplinary preparation and therefore give the graduate a high degree of attractiveness towards the working environment. The same training also represents an adequate basis for continuing the studies in a master?s degree course.
The skills and tools acquired during the educational path have the main objective of providing graduates with the ability to design and manage production processes (plants and animals), considering the quality of the product and the sustainability of the agricultural system. Other training objectives are represented by the acquisition of the concepts of bio-economy and circular economy, to allow the management of the entire production process and provide or facilitate the use of by-products.
In addition, various skills provided in the course are oriented to the management of natural resources, land management, the production of renewable energy, the transformation and the enhancement of by-products in agricultural areas.
Within the agricultural context in which they can work (vegetable production, livestock production, territorial management and related supply chains), graduates in Sustainable Agriculture carry out planning, management and executive functions. Graduates manage the main aspects of crop and tree production (processing, fertilization, start of cultivation, defence, irrigation, harvesting, etc.) and animal production (farming systems, feeding, management of housing, production and effluents), combining the needs of profitability with environmental sustainability, animal welfare and the quality of the products obtained by applying the knowledge and judgment skills received during the training course, the verification tests and the drafting of the final paper.
Graduates in Sustainable Agriculture can be active in other work areas not directly connected with plant and animal production, namely: a) supporting the marketing of products obtained from plant and animal production as well as managing the marketing of products; b) actively participating in research and development actions related to the inputs necessary for the development of plant production (fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural machinery) and animal production (feed, supplements and technological systems), and dealing with their sale by exploiting technical knowledge of the products; c) actively participating in the development of agricultural businesses by providing technical assistance to the farm, in the context of plant and animal production, in line with the farm?s technical and administrative procedures; d) managing natural resources, land management, production of renewable energy, transformation of products within the company and by-products; and finally, e) participating in environmental monitoring activities, the implementation of projects for the recovery of polluted areas and the management of plants for the transformation of biomass with a high environmental impact.
To carry out the functions of planning, management and execution of activities related to the agricultural, territorial and environmental monitoring system, graduates in Sustainable Agriculture will make use of the knowledge acquired during the course, with particular reference to the ability to relate different areas, to identify the appropriate tools and, finally, to adequately transfer the decisions taken.
The employment opportunities of graduates in Sustainable Agriculture are represented by:
- farms including those providing environmental services;
- agritourism farm and those oriented to the transformation and direct sale of their products;
- public bodies for agriculture, the territory and the environment (regions, municipalities, mountain communities, basin authorities, national and regional environmental agencies, reclamation and irrigation consortia, mountain basin consortia, protected parks and areas);
- professional associations;
- international and non-governmental organizations engaged in agricultural development projects;
- freelance, individually or as part of professional studies operating in the field of agricultural, livestock and natural systems;
- companies providing assistance and laboratories operating for the enhancement and protection of the environment and the territory, for environmental monitoring and recovery, for the management of wastewater, for environmental remediation, for the construction and maintenance of green areas and for works and interventions to protect the soil;
- companies providing assistance to agricultural and livestock activities (administrative assistance, agronomic consultancy and agro-mechanical companies);
- companies supplying technical means for agriculture and animal husbandry (fertilizers, pesticides, feed and food supplements);
- companies that supply structures and equipment for agriculture and animal husbandry (e.g., irrigation systems);
- agricultural machinery suppliers;
- agricultural consortia, producer associations, trade associations, agricultural cooperatives;
- agro-food processing, marketing and distribution companies.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Graduates in Sustainable Agriculture can be active in other work areas not directly connected with plant and animal production, namely: a) supporting the marketing of products obtained from plant and animal production as well as managing the marketing of products; b) actively participating in research and development actions related to the inputs necessary for the development of plant production (fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural machinery) and animal production (feed, supplements and technological systems), and dealing with their sale by exploiting technical knowledge of the products; c) actively participating in the development of agricultural businesses by providing technical assistance to the farm, in the context of plant and animal production, in line with the farm?s technical and administrative procedures; d) managing natural resources, land management, production of renewable energy, transformation of products within the company and by-products; and finally, e) participating in environmental monitoring activities, the implementation of projects for the recovery of polluted areas and the management of plants for the transformation of biomass with a high environmental impact.
To carry out the functions of planning, management and execution of activities related to the agricultural, territorial and environmental monitoring system, graduates in Sustainable Agriculture will make use of the knowledge acquired during the course, with particular reference to the ability to relate different areas, to identify the appropriate tools and, finally, to adequately transfer the decisions taken.
The employment opportunities of graduates in Sustainable Agriculture are represented by:
- farms including those providing environmental services;
- agritourism farm and those oriented to the transformation and direct sale of their products;
- public bodies for agriculture, the territory and the environment (regions, municipalities, mountain communities, basin authorities, national and regional environmental agencies, reclamation and irrigation consortia, mountain basin consortia, protected parks and areas);
- professional associations;
- international and non-governmental organizations engaged in agricultural development projects;
- freelance, individually or as part of professional studies operating in the field of agricultural, livestock and natural systems;
- companies providing assistance and laboratories operating for the enhancement and protection of the environment and the territory, for environmental monitoring and recovery, for the management of wastewater, for environmental remediation, for the construction and maintenance of green areas and for works and interventions to protect the soil;
- companies providing assistance to agricultural and livestock activities (administrative assistance, agronomic consultancy and agro-mechanical companies);
- companies supplying technical means for agriculture and animal husbandry (fertilizers, pesticides, feed and food supplements);
- companies that supply structures and equipment for agriculture and animal husbandry (e.g., irrigation systems);
- agricultural machinery suppliers;
- agricultural consortia, producer associations, trade associations, agricultural cooperatives;
- agro-food processing, marketing and distribution companies.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Course of study in Sustainable agriculture gives many opportunities for stages abroad mainly through the Erasmus+ programme. About 30 foreign Universities of the EU are involved in this students exchange. The areas of study which can be followed by the students abroad are almost all those included in this course of study. In general, students who make a stage abroad attend local courses or participate in research for the preparation of their thesis. The learning agreement is outlined in collaboration with the person in charge for the Erasmus of the degree program, as regards both the choice of courses and the organization of the internship at the partner university. Students must obtain the formal approval of the examinations that they intend to carry out at the host university from professors who hold equivalent or similar teachings at the University of Milan before completing the learning agreement. As regards experimental activities abroad, which can constitute part or the entire program of the internship, a letter of agreement from a professor of the partner university is required, along with the formal approval on the objectives, on the program and on the term of the internship by a professor of the degree program, who will also act as supervisor. Other possibilities exist in terms of cultural exchange with non EU universities (in China, Japan, Latin America) not involved in the Erasmus programme: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-u48xSaV9eR9Vg-vU9YRT_DAcYCcI50K
La frequenza delle attività formative è fortemente consigliata.
Enrolment
Admission requirements
Applicants to this degree programme must hold an upper secondary-school diploma or equivalent qualification obtained abroad, and adequate knowledge. In particular, candidates must have a good understanding of basic scientific subjects (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology), as provided by upper-secondary school, as well as reasoning skills and written and oral presentation skills in Italian. The students' background will be assessed in accordance with academic regulations for the degree programme. Any additional learning requirements resulting from the aforementioned assessment must be met within the first year of the programme.
Admission assessment
Admission to this Bachelor's degree programme is open, subject to a mandatory, non-selective, assessment test before enrolment.
The test will ascertain that the candidate meets admission requirements, i.e. knowledge of key science subjects as provided by upper secondary school, and an understanding of elementary logic.
The test required for admission into the degree programme is TOLC-AV, an online test provided by the Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems (CISIA - https://www.cisiaonline.it).
For test topics and details, please review the page https://www.cisiaonline.it/en/area-tematica-tolc-agraria-veterinaria/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/
You may sit for the TOLC-AV test at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA.
The calendar with available venues and dates is posted to the page https://tolc.cisiaonline.it/calendario.php?l=gb.
Registration procedures and deadlines are set out in the call for applications posted to the page https://agricoltura-sostenibile.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi
The test results will be notified to each student individually, highlighting any additional learning requirements. To meet any additional learning requirements, the Faculty offers students remedial online courses and extracurricular tutoring at the beginning of classes. We strongly recommend that anyone with additional learning requirements use these services.
Admission of transfer or graduate students
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I. To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications. These candidates must provide a full transcript of records (listing exams, subject areas, credits, grades) and attach the course syllabi. For more details and dates, please refer to the call for applications. Students admitted to the first year must take the test
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities
Students who are admitted with a score lower than or equal to 4 in the Mathematics section of the TOLC-AV test will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA). Remedial activities will be organized for students with OFA (in the period October-December), both as online exercises on an e-learning platform and as discussion sessions with a tutor. After participating in remedial activities, new students will have to take a final assessment test. Mathematics OFA are prerequisites for all second- and third-year exams. For students who have not passed the OFA final test during the first year, passing the Mathematics exam is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year exams. Learn more at https://agricoltura-sostenibile.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole.
Applicants to this degree programme must hold an upper secondary-school diploma or equivalent qualification obtained abroad, and adequate knowledge. In particular, candidates must have a good understanding of basic scientific subjects (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology), as provided by upper-secondary school, as well as reasoning skills and written and oral presentation skills in Italian. The students' background will be assessed in accordance with academic regulations for the degree programme. Any additional learning requirements resulting from the aforementioned assessment must be met within the first year of the programme.
Admission assessment
Admission to this Bachelor's degree programme is open, subject to a mandatory, non-selective, assessment test before enrolment.
The test will ascertain that the candidate meets admission requirements, i.e. knowledge of key science subjects as provided by upper secondary school, and an understanding of elementary logic.
The test required for admission into the degree programme is TOLC-AV, an online test provided by the Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems (CISIA - https://www.cisiaonline.it).
For test topics and details, please review the page https://www.cisiaonline.it/en/area-tematica-tolc-agraria-veterinaria/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/
You may sit for the TOLC-AV test at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA.
The calendar with available venues and dates is posted to the page https://tolc.cisiaonline.it/calendario.php?l=gb.
Registration procedures and deadlines are set out in the call for applications posted to the page https://agricoltura-sostenibile.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi
The test results will be notified to each student individually, highlighting any additional learning requirements. To meet any additional learning requirements, the Faculty offers students remedial online courses and extracurricular tutoring at the beginning of classes. We strongly recommend that anyone with additional learning requirements use these services.
Admission of transfer or graduate students
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I. To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications. These candidates must provide a full transcript of records (listing exams, subject areas, credits, grades) and attach the course syllabi. For more details and dates, please refer to the call for applications. Students admitted to the first year must take the test
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities
Students who are admitted with a score lower than or equal to 4 in the Mathematics section of the TOLC-AV test will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA). Remedial activities will be organized for students with OFA (in the period October-December), both as online exercises on an e-learning platform and as discussion sessions with a tutor. After participating in remedial activities, new students will have to take a final assessment test. Mathematics OFA are prerequisites for all second- and third-year exams. For students who have not passed the OFA final test during the first year, passing the Mathematics exam is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year exams. Learn more at https://agricoltura-sostenibile.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole.
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Application for matriculation: from 15/07/2024 to 30/09/2024
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Fundamental Biology and Botanics for Agriculture | 12 | 108 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/04 |
| General and Inorganic Chemistry | 6 | 56 | Italian | CHIM/03 |
| Mathematics | 6 | 72 | Italian | MAT/07 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Basic Statistics with Computer Applications | 6 | 64 | Italian | |
| Fundamental Economics | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/01 |
| Organic Chemistry | 6 | 56 | Italian | CHIM/06 |
| Physics | 6 | 64 | Italian | FIS/07 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Assessment B1 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural Genetics | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/07 |
| Microbiology | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/16 |
| Soil and Plant Science | 14 | 112 | Italian | AGR/13 |
| - Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants | 8 | |||
| - Soil chemistry | 6 | |||
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural Hydraulics | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/08 |
| Agricultural Machinery | 6 | 64 | Italian | AGR/09 |
| Agronomy | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/02 |
| Animal Husbandry | 12 | 116 | Italian | AGR/18 AGR/19 VET/01 |
Study plan rules
- The study program includes 12 CFUs that the student may elect to allocate to selected courses within the degree program, or towards other degree programs within the faculty and university, or towards other creditable training activities. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan. The training activities that are creditable include seminars, conferences, advanced courses, or other activities organized by the university or another institution, as long as they are consistent with the student's educational path, up to a maximum of 4 CFUs.
The recognition of credits for these activities must be agreed upon in advance with the academic tutor. In order to acquire the 12 credits that can be freely chosen, the Teaching Board proposes the following courses listed below:
The recognition of credits for these activities must be agreed upon in advance with the academic tutor. In order to acquire the 12 credits that can be freely chosen, the Teaching Board proposes the following courses listed below:
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floriculture and Turfgrasses | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/04 |
| Postharvest Physiology and Quality of Horticultural Commodities | 6 | 56 | Italian | First semester | AGR/03 |
| Survey, Map Drawing and Materials for Green Areas | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/10 |
| Viticulture | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/03 |
| Beekeeping | 4 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 |
| Farming in the Alps | 4 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/19 |
| History of Agriculture | 4 | 32 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/01 |
| Morphological Evaluation and Ethnology in Animal Production | 4 | 32 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/17 |
| Ornamental Arboriculture and Urban Forestry | 6 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/03 |
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Field Crops and Fruit Tree Production | 10 | 88 | Italian | AGR/02 AGR/03 |
| Optional | ||||
| Farm Processing and Marketing of Agri-Food Products | 10 | 102 | Italian | AGR/09 AGR/10 AGR/15 |
| Green Chemistry and Renewable Energy in Agriculture | 10 | 80 | Italian | AGR/09 AGR/13 |
| Technologies for Produce Processing | 10 | 88 | Italian | AGR/01 AGR/15 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural, Agro-Food and Agro-Environmental Economics | 8 | 72 | Italian | AGR/01 |
| Optional | ||||
| Animal Production | 10 | 100 | Italian | AGR/18 AGR/20 |
| Interaction of Agrochemicals with the Environment | 10 | 88 | Italian | AGR/07 BIO/07 CHIM/06 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Farm Structures | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/10 |
| Fundamentals of Entomology and Plant Pathology | 8 | 72 | Italian | AGR/11 AGR/12 |
| Optional | ||||
| Animal Welfare and Extensive Husbandry System | 10 | 96 | Italian | AGR/18 AGR/19 |
| Biomass Valorisation and Emissions Reduction | 10 | 104 | Italian | AGR/10 AGR/13 |
| Nutrients Cycle in Soil-Plant Systems | 10 | 80 | Italian | AGR/13 AGR/16 |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Other Educational Experiences | 6 | 0 | Italian | |
| Final Exam | 3 | 0 | Italian | |
Study plan rules
- Courses within a specialization track
The student must choose one of the following specialization tracks consisting of two multidisciplinary courses of 10 CFU each.
Agro-environmental track:
The student must choose one of the following specialization tracks consisting of two multidisciplinary courses of 10 CFU each.
Agro-environmental track:
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interaction of Agrochemicals with the Environment | 10 | 88 | Italian | First semester | AGR/07 BIO/07 CHIM/06 |
| Nutrients Cycle in Soil-Plant Systems | 10 | 80 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/13 AGR/16 |
- Renewable energy and biomass reuse track:
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Chemistry and Renewable Energy in Agriculture | 10 | 80 | Italian | year | AGR/09 AGR/13 |
| Biomass Valorisation and Emissions Reduction | 10 | 104 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/10 AGR/13 |
- Animal husbandry track:
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Production | 10 | 100 | Italian | First semester | AGR/18 AGR/20 |
| Animal Welfare and Extensive Husbandry System | 10 | 96 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/18 AGR/19 |
- Short supply chain for agri-food production track:
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Processing and Marketing of Agri-Food Products | 10 | 102 | Italian | year | AGR/09 AGR/10 AGR/15 |
| Technologies for Produce Processing | 10 | 88 | Italian | year | AGR/01 AGR/15 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Floriculture and Turfgrasses | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/04 |
| Postharvest Physiology and Quality of Horticultural Commodities | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Survey, Map Drawing and Materials for Green Areas | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/10 |
| Viticulture | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/03 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Beekeeping | 4 | 40 | Italian | AGR/11 |
| Farming in the Alps | 4 | 40 | Italian | AGR/19 |
| History of Agriculture | 4 | 32 | Italian | AGR/01 |
| Morphological Evaluation and Ethnology in Animal Production | 4 | 32 | Italian | AGR/17 |
| Ornamental Arboriculture and Urban Forestry | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/03 |
You can take exams for years subsequent to Year I only after you have passed the Maths exam or completed Maths OFA (additional learning requirements).
Passing the exams of the first year of the course is strongly recommended before enrolling in the second year and, in any case, before taking subsequent exams.
The internship can only be started after passing all the exams required in Year I.
Passing the exams of the first year of the course is strongly recommended before enrolling in the second year and, in any case, before taking subsequent exams.
The internship can only be started after passing all the exams required in Year I.
Learn more
Location
Milan
Head of study programme
Erasmus and international mobility tutor
Study plan tutor
University and programme transfer tutor
Credit recognition tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Degree programme head
[email protected]
+390250316499 - Course management for the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (Science and Technology area)
via Celoria 2 - Milano Città Studi
Contatto: https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
+390250316511
Orario di apertura al pubblico: lunedì dalle 10 alle 12 e dalle 14 alle 16 - Student registrar
via Celoria 18 - Milano Città Studi
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/359
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/360
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents