Dairy Science

Dairy Science at Kiel University focuses on the challenges and developments facing farms and companies in the milk value chain. Graduates should use the scientifically sound and practical knowledge they have acquired to help shape the future development of milk production by providing sound advice to farms and companies, developing innovative products, making animal husbandry and land use fit for the future, passing on their own knowledge and skills and also contributing to scientific knowledge themselves. The Master's degree programme builds on the academic and practical knowledge in the field of dairy cow farming that students have acquired during their undergraduate studies, and imparts in-depth scientific knowledge on topics such as dairy breeding, animal nutrition, eco-efficiency of livestock systems, animal health and welfare, machine milking, processing of dairy products, and dairy economics. In addition, it conveys methodological skills for scientific and systematic work. Students will strengthen their competences in the field of dairy science and acquire skills in the analytical understanding of the entire dairy production process chain. The standard period of study for the Master's degree programme in Dairy Science is four semesters, of which one semester is set aside for the final Master's thesis. The study programme comprises nine compulsory and six elective modules. Modules encompass lectures, seminars, practical exercises, and field exercises. The following compulsory modules must be attended, preferably in the first year of studies: dsAEF002 Eco-Efficiency of Dairy Systems dsAEF003 Health Management in Dairy Herds dsAEF004 Dairy Processing and Quality dsAEF005 Dairy Cattle Breeding dsAEF006 Forage Quality and Conservation dsAEF007 Machine Milking dsAEF008 Animal Behaviour and Welfare dsAEF009 Ruminant Nutrition dsAEF010 Biometrical Planning and Inference Elective modules can be chosen during the first and second years of studies. Students have the possibility to choose elective modules from several Master's degree programmes of the Faculty of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences or to join the Erasmus+ programme and take elective courses at our partner universities in Europe (up to 30 ECTS credits). Alternatively, up to two elective courses (corresponding to 12 ECTS credits) can be chosen from other faculties of Kiel University. PDF Download