PhD in Agricultural Sciences UACh: trajectory and multidisciplinarity

The program, accredited until July 2025, is one of the oldest in the country in the area of ​​agricultural science.

Millaray Mariqueo, Science in Chile.- The program is made up of three areas, an area of ​​Plant Production, an area of ​​Soil Sciences and an area of ​​Animal Production, each one of them has two lines of research that are supported by groups of 4 to 8 academics each. a. Conforming then by 6 lines of research that support the activities within the program.

Its duration is 4 years configured by advanced level subjects, language exam, bibliographic seminars, research units, qualifying exam, thesis project and grade exam.

“One of the characteristics that differentiates our program is the issues that we are addressing, they are of particular interest to the southern zone, highlighting the pastoralist agro-ecosystems, which today have been gaining much more relevance with all the issues that are being discussed at the national level. such as grasslands and carbon sequestration, production systems and adaptation to climate change, among others. As a result of the same, of the six lines of research, at least four address this type of subject”, Rodrigo Arias, Agronomist and Director of the program.

On the other hand, the researcher mentions the area of ​​plant production, whose research lines are more focused on the issue of perennial and fruit crops, which also occur in a particular context of what is the agroecological zone of southern Chile. but with international impact “for example, in the cultivation area there is a lot of interaction with researchers from other parts of the planet that generate an interesting research opportunity due to the agroclimatic characteristics that we have in the country. So I would say that one of the great characteristics of our program is the large number of visiting researchers that we have, since the professors in their different projects bring foreign guests, so we have a high activity of talks and short courses associated with this type. of visits”.

The multidisciplinary approach of the program has been enhanced by the participation of academics from various faculties, such as the Faculties of Agricultural Sciences, Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, as well as researchers from other national and foreign Universities and Research Institutes. Thus fulfilling the objective of training professionals related to Agricultural Sciences trained to have a conceptual and methodological autonomy, through which they can develop, execute and communicate research in the area of ​​Agricultural Sciences.

If you are interested in applying to the program, the income of the first semester open on August 7 and close on November 30 (for ANID scholarships). Then for the second semester Applications open on March 7 and close on June 30.