Educational objectives
Knowledge and Understanding -->
- Use the most modern and intelligent technologies and information systems for practical application and for managing and developing business processes
- Actively participate in research projects in the field of mountain agriculture
- Apply technical and economic standards in the design and implementation of mechanization systems and equipment for mountain farms
- Collaborate with other professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, and natural sciences
- Work in interdisciplinary, national and international teams
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding -->
Graduates of the Master's degree program (Master SAM) are equipped with a solid scientific and technical foundation that enables them to address and solve complex problems. Thanks to their scientific and technical training in agriculture, economics, and management, graduates are able to develop analyses and plans for the development and management of agricultural businesses in mountainous regions, taking into account their specificity and multifunctionality (ecosystem services). In these specialized fields, graduates are able to coordinate interdisciplinary groups in the agricultural sector.
The ability to apply acquired specialized knowledge is achieved through critical reflection on the course materials and classroom learning activities, complemented by case study analysis and practical exercises conducted by instructors. Furthermore, practical exercises in the laboratory, computer, and field are included, as well as field trips, literature research, the development of individual and/or group projects, and the preparation of the final thesis.
The assessment of success (oral and written exams, seminar reports) and the exercises are designed in such a way that graduates must demonstrate mastery of the work tools, the methods learned, and a critical and independent way of working.
Autonomy of judgement -->
- choose the best production techniques while taking environmental protection into account;
- analyze data and information to independently assess the quality and effectiveness of results obtained when designing strategies to manage difficulties.
- make independent decisions on professional issues. These may specifically concern the feasibility of agricultural projects.
- evaluate quality assurance systems for agricultural products, including those in the tourism sector, and the methods for defining internal and external quality criteria.
- plan activities and strategies based on predefined objectives, taking into account timeframes and methods.
Communication Skills -->
Graduates will be able to work professionally in one or more foreign languages. Mandatory courses and elective courses are taught in English. Additionally, some elective courses may be offered in Italian or German. In accordance with unibz's trilingualism policy, the unibz Language Centre offers the opportunity to take extracurricular courses (levels A1-C1) in Italian and German.
Graduates will be able to communicate fluently with other professional groups they work with and will be able to participate in European projects with foreign partners thanks to the international focus of the Master's program. Written and oral communication skills are promoted through seminars, excursions, exercises, and teaching activities, which include the preparation of reports and written documents and their oral presentation in English and, where appropriate, in Italian and German in elective subjects. The aforementioned communication skills are also acquired and assessed/verified through the writing of the final thesis and its defense in English. The master's degree program also promotes the acquisition of additional language skills in German and Italian. This should enable graduates to successfully enter the international job market (e.g., Austria-Switzerland-Italy-Germany).
Learning Capacity -->
Graduates will be able to manage complex projects thanks to the specialized knowledge acquired during their studies. They will be able to continuously expand and update the specialized knowledge acquired during their studies. They will learn to use the most modern methods to competently perform analyses, project planning, and management measures in their professional lives. Graduates will be able to use various information systems to further their cultural and professional development. They will also be able to choose the methods and training paths best suited to their cultural and professional development. Graduates will be able to manage complex projects thanks to the specialized knowledge acquired during their studies. They will be able to continuously expand and update the specialized knowledge acquired during their studies. They will learn to use the most modern methods to competently perform analyses, project planning, and management measures in their professional lives. Graduates will be able to use various information systems to further their cultural and professional development. They will also be able to choose the methods and training paths best suited to their cultural and professional development.
Learning skills are encouraged throughout the degree program. Special emphasis is placed on individual study, especially in completing group work on proposed topics. This skill is enhanced during compulsory lectures, which include group work, and subsequently in the preparation of the final thesis. Learning progress is assessed regularly throughout the courses and during the preparation of the final thesis. Specifically, this practice-oriented program involves working in small groups (3-5 students) on a shared project (e.g., a plan for the development of agricultural businesses in mountain areas), from the initial stages (development of objectives and measures, collection of available data) to cooperation with various stakeholders (e.g., public administration, mountain agriculture advisory center, farmers' association), which also includes communication activities for agriculture and society. The projects are carried out under the supervision of two or more professors, with exchanges between students and the private companies and/or public authorities involved.
Learning skills are assessed through continuous assessment during the learning units and in the preparation of the final thesis.
Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of: (1) digitization strategies for mountain farming systems, with insights on electronics, computer science, telecommunication, farm management and information systems; (2) integration smart farming technologies into farm machines and within an enterprise information systems to support mountain farmers in their operational, management and strategic decisions, (3) convenience of adopting automation or robotisation solutions in the management of specific agricultural processes.
Applying knowledge and understanding in the planning, selection and use of different categories of IT solutions at farm level, with a special foucus on the constraints of resosurces tipical of mountain regions; capability of performing autonomous evaluations on selection/use of digitral farm solutions in various environmental and production contexts. Capability of presenting such an evaluation in a written report.
Communication skills to present topics and issues relative to any digital smart farming system (with a foscus for mountain areas) with pertinent and adequate technical terminology.
Learning skills to deepen and update the knowledge
acquired during the course seeking relevant information
on scientific and technical literature