• meet the increased demand for animal and fish products, while preserving or improving the quality of the products, the welfare of animals and minimizing the environmental impact;
• preserve natural resources, with special attention to biodiversity;
• make efficient use of novel tools and technologies to reach these goals while maintaining social acceptance of animal breeding;
• develop sustainable animal breeding programmes that contribute to improved livelihood of farmers and efficient food chains;
• develop sustainable breeding programmes that contribute to improved health and welfare of companion animals, including populations in zoos and nature reserves.

Admission

Graduates of the bachelor’s programmes in Agricultural Sciences offered by University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna and Equine Sciences offered by University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna in cooperation with University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna are eligible for admission with no further requirements.

For graduates of other bachelor’s programmes, mastery of the following learning outcomes is required for admission:

• Knowledge and skills in the basics of agricultural sciences, i.e. chemistry, physics, mathematics or statistics, zoology or anatomy and physiology of farm animals, botany, microbiology, genetics and economics.
• Knowledge and skills in the basics of animal production, i.e. animal breeding, animal nutrition, animal husbandry, crop production or pasture management.

In addition, knowledge of English at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.

Detailed requirements are to be found on the BOKU study services and in the curriculum.

Structure of the national programme

The following compulsory courses are required to complete the master’s programme:

• Applied Statistical Methods in Livestock Sciences (7 ECTS credits)
• Genetics of Diversity (3 ECTS credits)
• Quantitative Animal Genetics (6 ECTS credits)
• Molecular Animal Genetics (3 ECTS credits)
• Master’s thesis seminar (2 ECTS credits)

In addition, elective courses worth a total of 51 ECTS credits, free electives worth a total of 18 ECTS credits and a master’s thesis worth a total of 30 ECTS are required (see curriculum for further information).