Bachelor's Degree Programme in Agricultural and Rural Industries
- Degree
- Bachelor of Natural Resources
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Natural Resources
- Credits
- 240 ects
Key learning outcomes
After completing the Bachelor of Natural Resources degree, you are a specialist in the sustainable and profitable use of bioeconomy, i.e. renewable natural resources. You know how to produce high-quality food, other biomasses and energy, or grow and use forests in a pluralistic manner. You understand the principles of the natural sciences that bioeconomy is based on. You know how to consider the environmental impacts of agriculture and forestry and take care of soil, forest and water systems as part of climate change mitigation and efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. You are familiar with the Finnish and international operating environments of the field. You know how to search for solutions for sustainable and profitable bioeconomy business and utilise the latest research data and technology. You can develop customer-oriented and innovative products and services.
Education content and professional growth and know-how
The cross-cutting themes of the degree programme in Agricultural and Rural Industries are AgriBusiness and smart bioeconomy. During the degree programme, you study sustainable and profitable bioeconomy business, the utilisation of the latest research data and technology in the field, and the development of customer-oriented and innovative products and services Your competence is based on shared transferable skills, professional core competence and complementary competence. Depending on your interests, you can select alternative vocational studies worth 15 ETCS from either advanced studies in primary bioeconomy production or the development of smart bioeconomy. The degree also includes 10 credits of elective studies. The competence areas of the Bachelor of Natural Resources degree are agriculture and forestry, technology and energy in bioeconomy, and management and business.
During the first year of studies, you strengthen your working life competence and gain a basic understanding of the basics, operating conditions and development trends of the bioeconomy. During the second year of your studies, you study the basics of agricultural and forestry production, and in the following years, you focus on sustainable business in different bioeconomy sectors and the development of production processes, and you can supplement your competence with elective studies. During your studies, you develop your entrepreneurial capabilities by producing a feasible business plan. You can test your business idea in practice during project studies and find solutions to issues related to your idea in your thesis.
Flexible studies
In the part-time implementation, on average 2 days per month take place on the Saarijärvi Bioeconomy Campus during the academic year. Participation in these days is recommended. Part-time studies require self-management and independent time management and study planning. Part-time studies are also suitable for full-time students. Some of the courses can be completed online.
You can choose your alternative or elective studies from EduJyväskylä partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies from European EUDRES higher education institutions. You can also choose from Finnish and foreign partner universities, such as other universities of applied sciences and universities. You can apply for accreditation of higher education studies that you have completed elsewhere.
Working life oriented learning
Participation in the extensive research and development activities of the Bioeconomy Institute offers you opportunities to develop project competence and expertise. The Jamk Future Factory® operating model brings together students, working life actors and Jamk specialists. The teaching facility of the Bioeconomy Campus is utilised in the teaching. Your studies include two 10-week periods of practical training at your chosen placements in Finland or abroad. At the end of the studies, a thesis worth 15 ETCS is completed as a commission for a company in the field.
Career opportunities and employment
The wide-ranging competence of the Bachelor of Natural Resources enables you to apply for a wide range of bioeconomy work tasks. With the choices you make during your studies, you can influence the deepening of your competence in accordance with the requirements of your work tasks. Employment opportunities after studies have been good. The societal transition to bioeconomy will increase the need for bioeconomy specialists. A significant proportion of graduates work as entrepreneurs. Other significant employers include consultation firms and organisations, rural administration, project organisations, educational institutions, agricultural trade, and bioeconomy companies.
Qualifications
There are no specific degree-related or statutory qualification requirements in the field.
Further studies
You may, after graduating and gaining at least two years of work experience, apply for a master's degree level education. You can continue your studies by applying for e.g. Master's degree programmes in universities, vocational teacher education or Master's degree programmes abroad. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in various institutes, such as the open university of applied sciences, specialisation training and work-oriented continuing education.
Education planning
Information collected on the future competence needs of working life has been utilised in the preparation of the curriculum. The feedback received from students has also been taken into account. The Teacher Team has worked on the curriculum together with the Institute's Project Specialists. An advisory board consisting of representatives of the key stakeholder of the Institute of Bioeconomy has participated in defining the objectives of the curriculum and provided feedback on the study modules.
Contact Information
Riihinen Arto
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Bioeconomy
+358407694793
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi