Courses are usually held in English. The dissertation is written in English.
The PhD Programme in Agricultural Science (PAG) is designed to provide PhD candidates with specialised professional training in one of the following eight majors:
Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Agronomy, Animal Production, Management of Natural Resources, Agribusiness, Tropical and International Agriculture, Global Agri-Food Systems, and Animal Welfare.
The PhD programme emphasises independent research on the part of the participants. The graduate programme includes lectures, tutorials, seminars, and methods courses. In addition, PAG provides training in oral and written communication skills, including scientific writing and publishing, elective courses, and participation in international conferences or workshops. PAG also emphasises soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and moderation techniques. The study adviser provides any necessary assistance with regard to courses and logistic matters.
At the end of the PhD programme, a doctoral dissertation can be submitted either in a traditional format or as a collection of scientific publications: the latter must have been published in internationally recognised journals and must be supplemented with a general introduction and a discussion of the overall results.
The degree PhD or, alternatively, Dr sc agr, Dr rer nat, or Dr rer pol will be awarded after the successful defence of the doctoral dissertation and its subsequent publication.