Overview

Aburaihan campus of University of Tehran is located in an area which is well-known for its agricultural production since many years ago. Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences started its activity in 1983. Its primary goal is to prepare technicians and experts who are able to manage agriculture production in farm and greenhouses. Many of our students, after graduation, start their jobs in greenhouses in this area. At Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences you will learn in the classroom and apply that knowledge in the field. The department provides a range of research laboratories, as well as specialized devices for analyzing crops and agronomic products. There are chamber rooms for plant tissue culture with equipment and facilities to prepare explants. Also we have Genomics laboratory which has facilities for marker assisted selection and molecular plant breeding.  Fifteen faculty members and staff supports students. Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences prepares students in three levels of Bachelor, Master and PhD. Our students develop skills that translate to the real world.

 

Bachelor of Science

At this level, graduate students from high school are accepted via a national competition. The mission of this level is to prepare students to have basic skills to work in farms or greenhouses to produce different agricultural products. The courses a student should pass include general education, core courses and elective courses. In total a student is required to pass 138-142 credits. A fulltime average student could pass all of these credits in 4 years including 8 semesters. Fall semesters stars from 20 September and ends in 20th of February. The spring semester period is from 21st of February until 20th of July. During summer, students are allowed to pass a maximum of six credits.  At the final of this program students will receive the degree of Agricultural Engineering-Plant Genetics and Production. We have some students from Iraq and Afghanistan. All students from other countries are welcome to be accepted in our department. The Bachelor of Science in Plant Genetics and Production provides students with solid background in plant genetics, plant breeding, statistics, plant physiology, agronomy, plant pathology and the development of crop plants for food, feed and industrial uses. It also introduces students to the fundamentals and applications of the advanced biotechnologies currently being used in crop development industries and research.

 

Master of Science

The main goals of graduate curriculum are to train students for professional careers enabling them to manage research programs in the area of crop production, crop physiology and classical and molecular breeding. We have four degrees in this level. Students from levels of Bachelor are accepted in this level via a national competition in a nationwide exam. However, some students with excellent grades in Bachelor level can enter the MSc level without additional exam.

1. Plant Breeding

 Students in the major are trained for improving new varieties of crops. Different lessons of genetics, statistics and plant breeding are taught in this level. Traditional and molecular techniques of plant breeding are practiced in this level. Our department has good facilities of farm and greenhouses to fulfill the goals of this level.

 

2. Agricultural Biotechnology

This level was mainly programmed for the students to learn lab skills especially plant tissue culture and genetic engineering.

 

3. Agrotechnology – Crop Physiology

This level is programmed to teach modern techniques of plant production. The program emphasizes on the physiology of plants to increase the quantity and quality of the plant productions.

4. Agrotechnology – Crop Ecology

Students in this major learn plant production technique in concoction with the surrounding environment.   Sustainable agriculture is the mission of this major.

 

PhD degree

The main goals of graduate curriculum are to train students for professional careers enabling them to manage research programs in the area of crop production, crop physiology and classical and molecular breeding. We have three degrees in this level. Students from levels of MSc are accepted in this level via a national competition in a nationwide exam. However, some students with excellent grades in MSc level can enter the PhD level without additional exam.

A) Plant Breeding

During recent years a variety of molecular techniques have emerged which can enhance the process of plant breeding. Along with classical methods, the new techniques are taught to the students. Marker assisted selection, plant tissue culture and gene transformation are the main three techniques which are practices in our departments. There are several ongoing breeding programs in medicinal plants and vegetables in which students can incorporate and learn the classic and modern techniques of plant breeding.

B) Agrotechnology – Crop Physiology

This level is programmed to teach modern techniques of plant production. The program emphasizes on the physiology of plants to increase the quantity and quality of the plant productions.

C) Agrotechnology – Crop Ecology

Students in this major learn plant production technique in concoction with the surrounding environment.  Sustainable agriculture is the mission of this major.

 

There are 101 bachelors, 114 MSc and 39 Ph.D. students currently in our department.