The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Agricultural Sciences, although known by different names over the years, has been offered in Pisa since 1841, when it was established by Marquis Cosimo Ridolfi. The current degree programme in Agricultural Sciences, belonging to the L-25 degree class (Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Technologies), lasts three years and is divided into two curricula: AGROECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT and INNOVATION IN THE AGROECOSYSTEM.
The AGROECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT curriculum aims to provide students with the fundamental concepts needed to analyse and manage agroecosystems, with particular emphasis on the interactions between plants, soil, climate and cultivation techniques. The INNOVATION IN THE AGROECOSYSTEM curriculum provides the foundations for applying new technologies to agriculture, with the aim of improving the efficiency and sustainability of production systems.
The programme comprises a total of 180 University Credits (CFU), divided into basic subjects (36 CFU), core subjects (86 CFU), and 18 CFU allocated to the course units offered within the two curricula. Each CFU corresponds to a total student workload of 25 hours, divided between supervised learning activities and independent study. Supervised learning hours are allocated as follows: 8 hours for lectures, 12 hours for practical classes, 14 hours for laboratory activities, and 5 hours for the final dissertation.
Courses generally comprise 56 hours for 6 credits, with 40% of the workload devoted to lectures, seminars or similar activities, and 60% to independent study or other individual learning activities. Practical classes generally correspond to 12 hours per CFU, while laboratory activities and field-based activities correspond to 14 hours per CFU.
The programme includes a total of 16 compulsory subject-specific courses (84 CFU), traditionally delivered through lectures and practical laboratory sessions and/or using multimedia technologies and/or off-campus activities (in the field, at companies, or at public and private institutions, etc.); 26 CFU dedicated to compulsory interdisciplinary laboratory activities; 18 CFU within the chosen curriculum; and a final examination (3 CFU).
In addition, students are required to attend a minimum of 70% of the sessions for other freely chosen laboratory activities, supervised practical work and seminars, accounting for a total of 16 CFU. Knowledge of the English language is also required and is worth 2 CFU. Computer skills account for a further 2 CFU, while the internship is worth 8 CFU.
For other educational activities, including language and computer skills and seminars, as well as the internship and the final examination, the 25 hours corresponding to each CFU are considered to represent an equivalent number of hours of independent student work.