MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology

MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology

Last modified: 13. March 2025

The purpose of the program is to train specialists who are able to perform research tasks in plant genetics and breeding, as well as to solve problems of methodology and management in seed production. Furthermore, as researchers in plant breeding, genetic, and biotechnological institutions, they are able to perform theoretical and methodical tasks, and to produce breeding materials with traditional and molecular, genetical and biotechnological techniques.
In breeding institutions and in the field of seed production they are able to create new cultivars, and to work in variety registration and protection. The program includes modern methods of cultivar tests, economic analysis of plant breeding, and its legal aspects. PhD studies, Postgraduate Specialist Training Courses.
 

Qualification of the degree:

  • level of degree: Master of Science (MSc);
  • qualification: Agricultural Biotechnologist (with specialization);
  • elective specialization: Plant Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology;
  • qualification in English: MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology (Major in Agricultural Plant Biotechnology or in Agricultural Animal Biotechnology).

Length of program: 4 semesters
Work schedule: full-time (HU, EN), correspondence (HU)
Financial options: state scholarship or self-funded
Program Leader: Dr. Anikó Veres associate professor (Szent István Campus)
Operative Program Coordinators:

  • Dr. Attila Hegedűs (Buda Campus)
  • Dr. János Taller (Georgikon Campus)


Training sites:

  • Budapest 
  • Gödöllő   

Language of conduction: Hungarian or English.

Elective specializations

SPECIALIZATIONS RESPONSIBLES FOR SPECIALIZTAION WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
Animal Biotechnology Dr. László Varga Full-time, correspondence, dual training, Szent István Campus
Plant Biotechnology Dr. Anikó Veres Full-time, correspondence, dual training, Szent István Campus 
Full-time, Buda Campus and Georgikon Campus

 

Conditions for selecting specialization 

The choice of specialization is made at the time of enrolment at the Szent István Campus, at the other campuses only the specialization in Plant Biotechnology is offered.

Professional practice

The professional practice is a continuous four-week, independently completed professional practice outside the institution. There is no obligation to pay pursuant to Article 44 (3) a) of Act CCIV of Law 2011 on National Higher Education. 
 

Obligations during practice:
During the placement, the student will work under the supervision and guidance of the host professionals. Starting and finishing times are governed by the company's working hours, but the student's working week may not exceed 40 hours. The maximum working time of a student is 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, of which up to 4 hours per week may be reduced only for duly justified reasons. The student shall comply with the company rules in force concerning accidents and health and safety at work. During the professional practice, the student's work shall be regularly supervised by the University's designated tutor (supervisor).

Evaluation and recognition of the professional practice:
At the end of the professional practice, the students prepare a written report, which is signed by the employer. In the case of a professional practice abroad, the report shall be written in two languages (Hungarian and the language accepted by the host institution).
In addition to signing the written report prepared by the student, the workplace supervisor certifies the completion of the professional practice by completing and signing the "Certificate of Completion of Professional practice and Workplace Supervisor Evaluation" form. A copy of this form is given to the student on the last day of the placement and a copy to the specialization supervisor.

Professional practice for correspondence students:
The rules for correspondence courses are the same as for full-time courses. If student’s job and place of work are acceptable as a placement, they may be exempted from doing the placement, but student shall submit a written report and the necessary supporting documents. 

Professional practice for dual training
The student does not need to do a specific professional practice. A certificate from the host - dual training - party under contract with the student is sufficient. A written report is required.

Skills and professional competences acquired on completion of the program:

Graduates with their master degree in agricultural biotechnology are able to:

  • understand and form an informed opinion on national and international economic, political and social events related to agricultural biotechnology;
  • practical implementation of the various functions of leadership, motivating managers, evaluating their performance, and managing conflicts in a legal and effective way;
  • Forming and managing a team or project;
  • to express oneself in the field of agricultural biotechnology in written and oral form in Hungarian and English, to read, interpret and present scientific articles, to write a paper, to participate in discussions;
  • to analyze in detail the different areas of ideas that make up the knowledge base of the field, exploring the broad and specific contexts;
  • to identify professional problems, to take a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary approach to them, and to explore and formulate the detailed theoretical and practical background needed to solve them;
  • practical application of a wide range of genetic biotechnology methods and techniques.

Conditions of obtaining pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)

  •  completion of all the compulsory subjects of the course, plus the required number of optional credits according to the curriculum and the number of credits for the thesis, for a total of 120 credits;

Final exam

The diploma topics are announced by the Institutes. Institutes teaching foundation subjects may also publish a diploma project topic. By developing a thesis topic, the students demonstrate they are able to apply the acquired knowledge independently. The diploma thesis includes its own study, assessment, analysis, proposal and design. The student may choose from the proposed topics or may initiate the development of a topic of their interest in the relevant department.
Condition to attend final exam:

  • obtained pre-degree certificate (absolutorium);
  • submission of thesis and its acceptance by reviewers;
  • the student shall not be in debt to the University.

Parts of final exam:

  • comprehensive complex exam,
  • thesis defense.

Field of knowledge and subjects of final exam 
From 2021ext. 22 academic year:


Buda Campus – Plant Biotechnology Specialization
A total of 26 credits from the subjects of the program:

  • on the genetic and physiological basis of biotechnology: Classical, Population and Evolution Genetics (4 credits), Molecular Genetics (4 credits), Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology (3 credits), Gene Technology, Transgenic Farm Animals (3 credits), Cell Biology (2 credits);
  • on methods and results of plant biotechnology: Methodology of Cell and Tissue Reproduction (4 credits), Principles of Genetic Engineering (3 credits), Achievements and targets in breeding of horticultural plants (4 credits).

Students draw 1 question from each of the two subject groups in the complex comprehensive exam. 


Szent István Campus

  • Plant Biotechnology Specialization: The gene, genetics, "reverse" and "forward" genetics, genome, genomics, functional genomics, the structure of protein-coding genes in eukaryotes. Levels of eukaryotic genetic regulation, components of the plant genome. Key methods of gene isolation and plant functional genomics. Tasks and resources of plant breeding, traditional and new ways of increasing genetic variability. The importance of gene conservation for plant breeding, traditional and new methods. The importance of distant crosses, mutation, polyploidy, changes in chromosome number and structure, their potential uses. Traditional and in vitro techniques for haploid plant production. Transgenesis, methods, results, advantages and disadvantages of producing originally developed GM varieties, their practical application. Precision plant breeding, genome editing (ZFN, TALEN, CRISP/CAS). Biotechnologies for sexual and asexual reproduction in plants. Applications and results of PCR in plant genomics and molecular breeding, DNA marker systems. Conditions and methods for applying marker-assisted selection (MAS), characterization of mapping populations. Comparison of first- and next-generation sequencing methods. Characteristics of SNP markers and SNP-chip methods.
  • Animal biotechnology specialization: the role of assisted reproduction in human and veterinary medicine. The benefits of embryo transfer in domestic animals and the working stages of embryo production. Advantages of oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. Freezing methods used in research and practice. The importance of chimeras, research in animal biology and biomedical research. Advantages and disadvantages of transgenic animal production using stem cells of embryonic origin compared to conventional transgenic technologies. Potential methods of genetic reprogramming and their relevance in the field of animal and medical sciences. The main technical steps of cell nuclear transfer cloning, the known technological limitations and their biological causes, the essence of 'reproductive' and 'therapeutic' cloning. Methods of androgenesis and gynogenesis in fish production. Differences and evolutionary characteristics of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in fish. The main methods of producing transgenic animals. New gene-targeting (ZFN, TALEN, CRISP/CAS) methods in animals. Microsatellite characteristics, mutation mechanism, evolutionary model, detection technique and isolation method. Characteristic genetic architecture of quantitative traits. Mapping populations suitable for QTL analysis. Comparison of first- and next-generation sequencing methods. Characteristics of SNP markers and SNP-chip methods.

The student draws 1 question from the given topics.


Georgikon Campus – Plant Biotechnology Specialization
The plant cell and the structure and function of the genome. Major enzymes of the genetic apparatus and their function. The process of inheritance in classical genetic, cytogenetic and molecular genetic approaches. Transcription, translation and RNA types. Regulation of gene expression. Molecular genetic techniques. Markers, mapping. Genetic modification, genetic engineering methods. Gene editing. Plant cell and tissue culture, micropropagation.
 

Evaluation of final exam and qualification of degree from 2020/21 academic year

Accordingly, to chapter 4.3.16 Final exam and chapter 4.3.17. Degree certificate.

Model curriculum of the program