KNOWLEDGE: Upon the successful completion of the Programme of Studies, the graduate of the direction of Animal Production shall be knowledgeable about the following:
- Structure and operation of the zootechnical exploitations, depending on the species of the agricultural animals reared, the direction of production, and the required organization.
- Operation principles for stable facilities for animals reared, depending on the rearing system and the productive direction.
- Theories of the rearing systems.
- Principles and applied practices of the mechanisms for the accounting monitoring of zootechnical exploitations.
- Analysis of the productive capacities of animals (concerning milk, meat, eggs, etc.) along with the establishment of programmes for the genetic improvement of specific animal species.
- Theories for the genetic improvement of agricultural animals.
- Methods and practices for selecting animals that are suitable for breeding, along with the methods of artificial insemination.
- Theories and mechanisms for the applied nutrition of agricultural animals.
- Modern methods for preparing the rations.
- theories and mechanisms of the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as the Policy measures concerning the operation of markets and the marketing of agricultural inflows and products.
- Issues and mechanisms for marketing primary livestock, the market conditions for animals, the relevant legislation, and market research.
- Issues and mechanisms behind marketing feed, with knowledge about the seasonality of feed and of the market conditions.
- Modern methods for fighting animal diseases.
- Theories and methods for the operation of the control systems and for the certification of products of animal production.
- Mechanisms of action of pharmaceutical active substances.
- Theory for the technical selection and for its application to the programmes of genetic improvement, for the species of agricultural animals.
- Understanding of specifications of agricultural exploitations (conventional, organic rearing) in facilities and equipment.
- Principles and applied Practices for the Management of livestock waste.
- Application of the principles and theories for animal welfare and bioethics in modern livestock exploitations.
- Knowledge on the relevant legislation and regulations for the preparation of studies concerning the establishment, operation, and on improvement plans for zootechnical units (such as aviaries, dairy farms, sheep farms, piggeries, etc.).
- Principles for the environmental management of zootechnical exploitations.
- Basic principles and theories concerning the nutrition of agricultural animals. Specifically, knowledge about the physical and chemical properties of feed, of vitamins, macroelements, trace elements, and additives used in feed.
- Principles and practices for the assessment and evaluation of the value of livestock, of zootechnical facilities, and of equipment.
- Knowledge about the basic principles for the organization and operation of zootechnical exploitations.
- Theories and mechanisms of operation of the Common Agricultural Policy.
SKILLS: Upon the successful completion of the Programme of Studies, the student will have to have acquired the following skills:
- Handling of issues regarding the marketing of animal products at a business, regional, and country level (standardization, packaging, labelling, pricing, processing, storing, transport of agricultural products, provision of information and market research, and advertising).
- Analysis and application of suitable measures from the Common Agricultural Policy regarding the production and utilization of animal products.
- Use of suitable tools for managing agricultural supplies and inflows. Application of the principles of zootechnical management in zootechnical exploitations.
- Adjustment to modern methods of zootechnical monitoring and management of rearing.
- Application of a suitable rational regimen for the nutrition of livestock, based on the rearing conditions.
- Handling of issues related to the operation of feed preparation facilities.
- Application of programmes for the prevention or fighting of diseases in rearing.
- Application of suitable practices regarding spraying, in order to control animal diseases, and systematic disinfections of storage areas used for animal products.
- Ability to design and implement programmes for the genetic improvement of agricultural animals.
- Application of the genetic assessment and selection of candidate breeding animals for reproduction, within the context of a programme of genetic improvement.
- Application and use of biotechnological methods (e.g. Artificial insemination, Embryo transfer, Techniques of Molecular Genetics, etc.).
- Design of livestock facilities.
- Application of suitable practices for the management of livestock waste.
- Application of a rational treatment regime, with the purpose of dealing with animal diseases.
- Application of self-testing systems and of proper practical hygiene in slaughterhouses and in the cutting plants, with regard to the slaughtering and cutting of productive animals, the processing and the preservation methods for meat and its by-products.
- Understanding the major environmental problems that relate to the operation of zootechnical exploitations.
COMPETENCES: Upon the successful completion of the Programme of Studies, the student must be able to demonstrate the following competences:
Specialised:
- Apply and integrate the principles of the Applied Agricultural science and technology, in practice and in actual issues of the animal husbandry.
- Have the analytical competence to identify and resolve problems related to the zootechnical management of zootechnical exploitations.
- Able to assume responsibilities and take initiatives in critical sectors of the animal production, focusing on the excellent utilization of production factors.
- Have moral and professional integrity, understanding and apply the code of ethics on Animal Production, with emphasis on bioethics.
General:
- Able to work seamlessly both at individual and at team level, collaborating with other persons of relevant fields in agricultural and foods, but of different scientific background.
- Able to refer to the scientific and technical literature with the purpose of looking for information and solutions.