Masters faculteit Wetenschappen - DMBR - Universiteit Gent

Master of Nematology
Major NEMATOLOGY APPLIED TO AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS – NEMATOLOGY APPLIED TO NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS – NEMATODE SYSTEMATICS
course content
Nematodes or roundworms are everywhere.
They are among the most harmful
organisms of crops, especially in the
tropics, but on the other hand they are
very promising as natural antagonists that
can be used in bio-control programmes
against pest insects. Because of their ubiquitous
presence, overwhelming densities
and diversity (sometimes compared to
insects) the free-living nematodes are an
ideal tool for biodiversity studies. They are
used as bio-indicators of pollution in both
terrestrial and aquatic environments.
The programme of Master of Nematology
is unique in the world and attracts students
from all over the world. It deals with
fundamental as well as applied aspects of
Nematology and concerns all groups of
nematodes in all possible environments:
natural soils, agricultural soils, aquatic
sediments of freshwater, brackish or
marine habitats. It fulfils the international
needs for training highly qualified nematologists
with a multidisciplinary knowledge
in the diverse fields of nematology.
This English course programme is multidisciplinary
in its approach both within the
field of biology and agro-engineering.
course structure
Basically, the programme consists of 40
credits for eleven compulsory general
courses, 30 credits for the master thesis, 27
credits for the major of the student’s
choice and 23 credits for elective courses.
The first year starts with a series of eight
compulsory general courses which provide
the basic theoretical and practical information
as well as a more in-depth and
broader multidisciplinary knowledge of
nematology. These courses level the
know ledge and skills of the students with
diverse background. In the second semester,
the student follows the courses of the
major of his/her choice. Each of the majors
deals with fundamental and applied
aspects of nematology.
The Major Nematology applied to Agroecosystems
enables the student to understand
how fundamental knowledge can
be translated into solutions for agronematological
problems and how to identify
and use some parasitic taxa in biocontrol.
The Major Nematology applied to
Natural ecosystems provides a balance
between ecology and systematics of freeliving
nematode taxa from three main
habitats (marine/estuarine, freshwater and
terrestrial). With the knowledge and skills
acquired in this major, the student is able
to use e.g. nematode community composition
data in the assessment of fundamental
and applied ecological issues. The Major
Nematode Systematics provides the requisite
knowledge and skills for identification,
classification and phylogeny of free-living
and parasitic nematode taxa. The second
year of the master programme contains
three compulsory courses, the master thesis
and the elective courses.
career perspectives
The Master of Nematology programme
prepares the student for a career in very
diverse environments. Their work can vary
between teaching, research in universities
and laboratories and providing advice
services to the general public, farmers or
governmental policies. The multidisciplinary
approach allows nematologists to be
active both in the field of biology and
agro-engineering, work in sophisticated
laboratories (molecular research) as well
as in conditions where there is hardly any
basic equipment as in some developing
countries.
Main trumps are: in-depth and broad scientific
knowledge, capacity to analyse and
solve problems, write research proposals,
good communication skills and contacts
with national and international nematologists
and centres of nematological research
and applications.
CONTACT
Ghent University - Faculty of Science
Department of Biology
Postgraduate International Nematology Course
(PINC)
Mrs N. Smol – Promotor: Prof. M. Moens
Phone: +32 (0)9 264 52 16
Fax: +32 (0)9 264 53 44
E-mail: nic.smol@UGent.be
www.pinc.ugent.be
MEER INFO
Adviescentrum voor Studenten
Sint-Pietersplein 7, 9000 Gent,
tel 09 264 70 00, acs@UGent.be
www.UGent.be > toekomstige studenten
> Adviescentrum voor Studenten
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