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Open UAS Path Studies, Degree Programme in Agriculture and Rural Enterprises: POLKUAGRO22K

Code: POLKUAGRO21

Duration:
1 years (60 cr)

Start semester:
Spring 2022

Descriptions

This curriculum is for open UAS students. The curriculum includes first year studies and Basic Studies Common To All In SEAMK (Open UAS Path Studies, Degree Programme in Agriculture and Rural Enterprises). There is also some personal study planning in the open university's path studies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME AND COMPETENCIES

An agronomist is a modern primary production professional. The agrology studies at SeAMK focus on the entire food production chain, its origins, processing, and the consumer's perspective. During studies it is possible to concentrate on primary production or to augment studies, for example, with business or food processing and biotechnology.

At the beginning of their studies, students study professional modules such as plant production, domestic animal production, agrotechnological subjects, agricultural economics, and business economics. The professional studies are supported by studies in communication, natural sciences, and languages.

In the early summer, after the second year of study, there is Summer Camp - this is a growing season study course, where students apply the theoretical knowledge gained during the winter. In the summer, students also have traditionally made a study trip to Central Europe, which gives them a glimpse of farming cultures in other countries.

During their third of fourth year of study, students specialize, based on their own choices, either in agricultural business economics or production processes (plant or domestic animal production, agricultural technology). You can expand your competencies further in food processing by studying biotechnology or food engineering. If you wish, you can also deepen your competencies with studies in business economics or engineering.

The practical training includes a farm trainee-ship period or a specialization trainee-ship period in Finland or abroad. The final project/thesis is implemented at the final stage of the studies. In agricultural industry studies, the subject choice for the final thesis is free, but it is worthwhile keeping in mind the possibility of utilizing the final project for career planning and employment.

The studies include contact teaching, self-study, practical training, and a final thesis. The contact teaching combines theory and diverse practical studies. Studying in the programme is flexible, and students can concentrate on courses they find the most interesting. The production and reproduction cycles of farm animals as well as seasons and periods of growth and harvest in the fields set the pace for studying in the degree programme. Modern facilities for farm animals, laboratory work and teaching allow students to engage in hands-on and problem-based, reflective learning.

At the beginning of the studies, every student prepares a personal curriculum assisted by a study counselor or tutor. The student's studies proceed in accordance with their personal curriculum and goals.


PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY PROFILE
An agronomist works as an advisor in domestic animal or plant production, as an expert in administration, education and research, and as a developer of rural areas. Also trade and industry as well as the insurance sector employ agronomists. Developing farms require diverse competencies and a great many agronomists have their own business. There are diverse work assignments available for agronomists and they find employment easily.

PEDAGOGICAL ACTION MODELS

In Agrology studies; the learner is an active information gatherer, processor, producer, and implementer. Learning is carried out alone or with others using a network. The lessons to be learned are related to the learner's own experience, work and environment. Learning is a process in which everyone sets their own learning goals and also self-assesses their own learning. The role of the teacher is to be the supervisor of the learning process. The learning process is designed with the help of a personal study plan that defines the courses that the student chooses.

Professional studies consist of themes that use different pedagogical methods to study. The lesson to be learned can be approached as problem-based or as a phenomenon where the learner builds his / her own learning process utilizing his / her knowledge, skills and experience. For example, in the production environment and welfare of domestic animals. During the course, the student choses a specific animal and builds-up knowledge about that animal’s legislation and environment and their impact on the animal’s welfare. Team learning and collaborative projects with working life develop not only project management skills and expertise in the field, but also communication, networking and interpersonal skills. Business partners’ or students' own companies provide examples and concrete learning tasks.

Learning by doing is included in a number of study courses, especially in work practice and Summer Camps with functional learning. Work-related skills can be included in the degree through the recognition of skills.

At the beginning of his / her studies, the student makes a personal study plan, in which he / she maps out his / her previous skills and learning goals with the HOPS supervisor or study counselor. During the studies, the curriculum will be examined from the perspective of the career plan and possibly taking into account the skills acquired in the field during the studies. During your studies your own professional identity develops. During studies, the student analyzes his / her own development, for example, through a learning diary. The development of professional identity is supported by annual development discussions with the HOPS instructor, under the guidance of the work practice and thesis. A graduating agrologist is a learning, developing expert.

Assessing takes place at the beginning, during and after studying, assessment is carried out using self-assessment, peer review, working life and by the teacher. For example, you can show your expertise by analyzing a soil sample, identifying plants, writing a learning diary, or developing a business development plan for your business.

Throughout their Agrology studies the core themes are:
• Information retrieval and career planning
• entrepreneurship and internationality
• Network and communication skills
• sustainable development and circular economy
• digitalisation and its uses

Show study timings by semester, study year or period

Code Name Credits (cr) 2021-2022 2022-2023 Spring
2022
Autumn
2022
3. / 2022 4. / 2022 5. / 2022 1. / 2022 2. / 2022
POLKUAGRO21-1001
BASIC STUDIES COMMON TO ALL IN SEAMK

(Choose all)

20
POLKUAGRO21-1002
Building competence

(Choose all)

10
XX00CG82 Studying at a University of Applied Sciences 2 2 2 0.7 0.7 0.7
XX00CG83 Career Planning and Internationalisation 2
YPO3A3 Communication Skills 3 3 3 1 1 1
YP00BW25 ICT Skills 3 3 3 1 1 1
POLKUAGRO21-1003
Business and entrepreneurship competence

(Choose all)

5
XX00CL55 Basics of Entrepreneurship 3
XX00BW29 SeAMK Innovation Week 2 2 2 0.7 0.7 0.7
POLKUAGRO21-1004
Research and project work skills

(Choose all)

5
YP00BW31 Introduction to Research and Development 2
YP00BW33 Introduction to Project Work 3 3 3 1.5 1.5
POLKUAGRO21-1005
BASIC STUDIES

(Choose all)

19
POLKUAGRO21-1006
Communication Abilities

(Choose all)

5
YE00BW43 English 5
POLKUAGRO21-1007
Competence of Mathematics

(Choose all)

8
9A00BW45 Mathematics 5 5 5 1.7 1.7 1.7
YE00BW49 Chemistry in Food Chain 3 3 3 1.5 1.5
POLKUAGRO21-1008
Competence of RDI

(Choose all)

0
POLKUAGRO21-1009
Food Chain

(Choose all)

6
XX00CX20 Structure of Food Chain 3 3 3 1 1 1
XX00CX21 Sustainability of Food Chain 3 3 3 1 1 1
POLKUAGRO21-1010
Food Chain Business

(Choose all)

0
POLKUAGRO21-1011
COMMON PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

(Choose all)

25
POLKUAGRO21-1012
Introduction

(Choose all)

5
9A00BW67 The countryside as an operating environment 5 5 5 1.7 1.7 1.7
POLKUAGRO21-1013
Crop Production

(Choose all)

10
9A00BW61 Growth factors and plant growth 10 10 10 5 5
POLKUAGRO21-1014
Animal Husbandry

(Choose all)

5
KA00BW69 Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare 5 5 5 2.5 2.5
POLKUAGRO21-1015
The Basics of Agricultural Economics

(Choose all)

5
9A00BW75 Introduction to Agribusiness 5 5 5 2.5 2.5
POLKUAGRO21-1016
PRACTICAL TRAINING

(Choose all)

16
POLKUAGRO21-1017
Farming Practice

(Choose all)

16
MA00BX33 Farming practice part 1 16 16 16 5.3 5.3 5.3
POLKUAGRO21-1018

(Choose all)

0
Total 60 42 26 42 26 14.13 14.13 14.13 13 13

Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.

General competencies (Bachelor’s Degrees)

1 Learning competence

- is able to self-evaluate and develop one’s competence and learning style orientation
- is able to retrieve and analyze information and evaluate it critically
- is capable of taking responsibility for collaborative learning and sharing knowledge in teams

Studying at a University of Applied Sciences
Career Planning and Internationalisation
Communication Skills
ICT Skills
Introduction to Research and Development
Introduction to Project Work
English
Mathematics
Chemistry in Food Chain
Structure of Food Chain
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Introduction to Agribusiness
Farming practice part 1
2 Ethical competence

- is able to take responsibility for one’s own actions and for the consequences of these actions
- is able to work according to the ethical principles of the subject field
- is able to take other people into account in one’s actions
- is able to apply the principles of equality
- is able to apply the principles of sustainable development
- is capable of social influencing using one’s know-how and based on ethical values

Studying at a University of Applied Sciences
Career Planning and Internationalisation
Communication Skills
Introduction to Research and Development
Introduction to Project Work
Structure of Food Chain
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Farming practice part 1
3 Working community competence

- is able to operate as a member of a work community
- is able to operate in communicative and interactive situations in working life
- is able to utilize information and communications technology in one’s subject field
- knows the working life in one’s subject field and is able to create personal contacts in working life and to operate in professional networks
- is capable of decision making in unpredicted situations
- is able to apply the principles of organizational management and leadership in working life and has abilities for supervision tasks
- possesses entrepreneurial skills

Studying at a University of Applied Sciences
ICT Skills
Introduction to Research and Development
Introduction to Project Work
English
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Farming practice part 1
4 Innovation competence

- is able to conduct research, development and innovation projects applying the existing knowledge and methods of the field
- is able to work in projects
- is capable of creative problem solving and development of working methods
- is able to find customer-oriented, sustainable and profitable solutions

SeAMK Innovation Week
Introduction to Research and Development
Introduction to Project Work
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Farming practice part 1
5 Internationalization competence

- possesses communicative competence necessary for one’s work and for professional development in the subject field
- is able to operate in a multicultural environment
- takes into account the effects of and opportunities for internationalization development in one’s own field

Communication Skills
English
Structure of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Farming practice part 1
6 Entrepreneurial competence

- Understanding of the interaction involved in the operations in a company and the business environment, and of the concept of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial way of working.
- Understanding of the principles associated with a profitable business, and ability to analyse the operations and risks in a business.

Basics of Entrepreneurship
SeAMK Innovation Week
Structure of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Introduction to Agribusiness
Farming practice part 1
7 Quality control competence

- Knowledge of the typical field-related quality control systems
- Understanding of quality-control and the requirements of quality-control systems.

Chemistry in Food Chain
Structure of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Farming practice part 1
Not grouped

Bachelor of Agriculture competencies

1 Agricultural production skills

The student is able to integrate primary production into the food chain.

The student knows the whole farm and its functions and work. They are familiar with the principles of plant nutrition and the nutrient and carbon cycles. They are able to plan the cultivation of arable crops using cultivation technology in an appropriate and profitable way. They know the basics of animal welfare and health maintenance, basic animal husbandry and typical production environment solutions. They are able to select animal feeds as well as plan and evaluate the feeding of farm animals. They know how to use a tractor and its associated machinery safely.

English
Chemistry in Food Chain
Structure of Food Chain
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Introduction to Agribusiness
Farming practice part 1
2 Rural area as an operational environment

Students are familiar with the rural networks and are able to function in those networks. They have knowledge of national and international rural policies and are aware of their impacts on the operations and development of regions, rural areas and agriculture.

Studying at a University of Applied Sciences
Career Planning and Internationalisation
Structure of Food Chain
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Farming practice part 1
3 Business and entrepreneurship competence

Students have knowledge of the principles of entrepreneurship and the areas of business. They are competent in systematically managing and developing rural enterprises in a financially profitable way.

Basics of Entrepreneurship
SeAMK Innovation Week
Introduction to Project Work
English
Mathematics
Structure of Food Chain
Sustainability of Food Chain
Introduction to Agribusiness
4 Environmental competence

Students are aware of the impacts their activities have on the environment and of the interaction between rural enterprises and the environment. They are competent in developing enterprises in an environmentally sustainable way.

Chemistry in Food Chain
Structure of Food Chain
Sustainability of Food Chain
The countryside as an operating environment
Growth factors and plant growth
Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare
Farming practice part 1
Not grouped
Communication Skills
ICT Skills
Introduction to Research and Development

Code Name Credits (cr)
POLKUAGRO21-1001
BASIC STUDIES COMMON TO ALL IN SEAMK

(Choose all)

20
POLKUAGRO21-1002
Building competence

(Choose all)

10
XX00CG82 Studying at a University of Applied Sciences 2
XX00CG83 Career Planning and Internationalisation 2
YPO3A3 Communication Skills 3
YP00BW25 ICT Skills 3
POLKUAGRO21-1003
Business and entrepreneurship competence

(Choose all)

5
XX00CL55 Basics of Entrepreneurship 3
XX00BW29 SeAMK Innovation Week 2
POLKUAGRO21-1004
Research and project work skills

(Choose all)

5
YP00BW31 Introduction to Research and Development 2
YP00BW33 Introduction to Project Work 3
POLKUAGRO21-1005
BASIC STUDIES

(Choose all)

19
POLKUAGRO21-1006
Communication Abilities

(Choose all)

5
YE00BW43 English 5
POLKUAGRO21-1007
Competence of Mathematics

(Choose all)

8
9A00BW45 Mathematics 5
YE00BW49 Chemistry in Food Chain 3
POLKUAGRO21-1008
Competence of RDI

(Choose all)

0
POLKUAGRO21-1009
Food Chain

(Choose all)

6
XX00CX20 Structure of Food Chain 3
XX00CX21 Sustainability of Food Chain 3
POLKUAGRO21-1010
Food Chain Business

(Choose all)

0
POLKUAGRO21-1011
COMMON PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

(Choose all)

25
POLKUAGRO21-1012
Introduction

(Choose all)

5
9A00BW67 The countryside as an operating environment 5
POLKUAGRO21-1013
Crop Production

(Choose all)

10
9A00BW61 Growth factors and plant growth 10
POLKUAGRO21-1014
Animal Husbandry

(Choose all)

5
KA00BW69 Basics of Farm Animal Housing And Welfare 5
POLKUAGRO21-1015
The Basics of Agricultural Economics

(Choose all)

5
9A00BW75 Introduction to Agribusiness 5
POLKUAGRO21-1016
PRACTICAL TRAINING

(Choose all)

16
POLKUAGRO21-1017
Farming Practice

(Choose all)

16
MA00BX33 Farming practice part 1 16
POLKUAGRO21-1018

(Choose all)

0