Master’s in Agricultural Sciences from UC Temuco: with a transdisciplinary and challenging perspective on the paths of food production

The Master’s program in Agricultural Sciences of the Catholic University of Temuco began its application process for 2023. The offer and its lines of research seek to strengthen students with the latest knowledge in the agricultural area, with a multidisciplinary faculty and updated approaches .

By Valentina Luza Carrión / Science in Chile.-Applications are open to those interested in pursuing the Master’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences at UCT. This consists of 4 semesters, starting in April of this year. He also works both in face-to-face and online classes.

The director of the program, Dr. Gustavo Curaqueo, explains that they hope to soon undergo the accreditation process, which would also allow the training offer to be expanded.

“Firstly, our master’s program is a recent training program that was born from the demands of the agricultural sector in the south-central zone of the country,” says its director, Dr. Gustavo Curaqueo.

In this sense, he emphasizes that when the first outlines of this program were made, it was strongly linked to the needs that the agricultural sector demanded. That, in the words of its director, gives it a distinctive seal: “we train competent professionals with a solid scientific base and who can provide solutions to real problems in agricultural production systems”, emphasizes Dr.

It also highlights that another solid pillar of the postgraduate program is that it allows graduates to enter different academic fields and lead research teams.

The lines of research supported in the program are plant and animal production, distinguishing as another differentiating aspect that animal production is made up of lines of research in terrestrial animal production and aquatic animal production.

The foregoing would give graduates an interdisciplinary vision, which would translate into the ability to deliver comprehensive solutions in the agricultural production systems where they work.

Linking with other related careers and transdiscipline

One of the characteristics of the master’s program is that it is fully integrated with other levels of studies in the agricultural discipline, articulating itself as an interesting offer for the continuity of undergraduate studies, mainly for the career in agronomy and other related careers. Also acting as a bridge for doctoral studies in the same area.

“Another interesting aspect is the transdiscipline that the program has, since it has a highly qualified academic body in the areas of plant, livestock, veterinary, aquaculture, human and animal health and well-being, climate change, and sustainability,” stresses the director. .

It is also highlighted that each teacher in the program has extensive experience in research and has participated in national and international research projects, which translates into research cooperation networks that our students are taking full advantage of.

Plant production and animal production: central axes

In its training mesh, the Master will focus on lines of research in two central aspects. On the one hand, plant productionwith emphasis mainly on the production of crops and fruit trees, where soil-plant relationships and climate change are studied.

On the other hand, heto animal production line It is made up of terrestrial animal production systems, which constitutes the most traditional line with studies in cattle, sheep and birds, and in turn aquatic animal production made up of studies in aquaculture, focused on fish reproduction and nutrition.

The training that is intended to be given to the students of the program is a broad, critical and reflective vision, endorsed by the multidisciplinary conformation of the teachers who make up and participate in the program.

It should be noted that among the collaborators there is the support of the Doctorate program in Agricultural Sciences, initiated by the Nucleus of Investigations in Agricultural Production, which gives it the capacity in human capital and infrastructure for the development of the research lines of the Program.

A transversal student profile

Within the expectations of the graduates, is that they can perform at a high level, contributing to the resolution of specific problems that require the agricultural sector as a whole.

“Our graduates will be able to carry out scientific research in Universities, Institutes, Research Centers, Scientific Foundations, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Our graduates will also be able to create or join the research and development areas of private companies in the agricultural sector, and for the free exercise of research training through advisory, consultancy and/or development of projects linked to the agricultural sector ” says Dr. Curaqueo.

The invitation from the director to those who are interested is that they dare before the lines of investigation that solve the problems of the Agricultural sector in Chile, with a transdisciplinary perspective.

“We have a qualified faculty, which is highly committed to the comprehensive training of its students and has various links with foreign researchers and laboratories that contribute to the excellent training of its graduates,” he stresses.

Finally, this program is designed as a challenging academic instance for its students and that will undoubtedly contribute to the development of new professional skills to contribute effectively to an important sector such as food production.

For details and registration visit the following link: VIP Website (uct.cl)