Dairy Science Kiel University

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.

A Bachelor's degree (BSc) with a grade "good" (German grading at least 2.5) or higher in agriculture with focus on animal science or equivalent academic and examination achievements in related disciplines with particular relevance to dairy science. The Bachelor's degree will be the basis for your application to this Master's degree programme.

Students with a Bachelor's degree in related disciplines such as agriculture with focus on engineering, plant and environmental sciences, economics, agribusiness, food science or dairy technology must hand in a proof of either academic achievements in livestock science (equivalent to 30 ECTS credit points) and/or equivalent practical or academic achievements in this area (such as internships, work experience, research projects related to dairy cow farming) in the past five years.

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibgebühr") of 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University. A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to 403 EUR must be paid each semester. This covers administration fees ("Verwaltungskostenbeitrag"), free public transport ("bundesweites Semesterticket") for trains and buses, reduced lunch prices, a culture ticket and other benefits for students.

The monthly costs of living in Germany are currently at least 992 EUR per month. Please note that when applying for a visa (from countries requiring a visa) and also later in Germany when extending a residence permit, financial means in the amount of the living costs for one year (11,904 EUR) must be proven.

More information can be found here: www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/visa.

Career advisory services and programmes for future professionals are offered by Kiel University's Key Skills Centre. Please visit the websites below to find out more.

"FIT – Promotion of International Talents for Integration into Studies and the Labour Market": https://www.zfs.uni-kiel.de/en/studies-with-plus/what-international-courses-can-i-take/fit-promotion-of-international-talents-for-integration-into-studies-and-the-labor-market

https://www.zfs-daf.uni-kiel.de/en/study-support-german-during-the-study/fit-course-programme-2024-2028

Please find information on accommodation in Kiel on the following website: https://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/accomodation.

Kiel University (also referred to as the CAU) was founded in 1665. It is Schleswig-Holstein's oldest, largest and best-known university, with 27,000 students and 3,700 staff members. It is also the only full-fledged university in the state. Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked here. The CAU has been successfully taking part in the Excellence Initiative since 2006.

We use research, teaching and the transfer of science to address the great challenges of our time in health, environmental and cultural change, nutrition and energy. In doing so, we ensure peace and preserve livelihoods for future generations. We use responsible actions to make sure that scientific discoveries are transferred into all sectors of our society by interdisciplinary thought – regardless of short-lived trends – where they are incorporated into political, economic and social decisions aimed at securing peace and prosperity.

When it was founded back in 1665, the CAU had the motto “Pax Optima Rerum: peace is the most valuable asset.” This maxim is as applicable today as it was over 350 years ago. We want to follow this key idea and contribute towards creating a peaceful, fair world in which everyone lives freely and comfortably. We aim to create a world in which treating the environment with respect also enables future generations to enjoy the same benefits.

CAU’s mission:
Our mission is to deliver research and teaching that contribute to peace, prosperity and maintaining a pluralistic, free society as well as address the challenges we are facing. Our strong disciplines carry out this mission. The fulfilment of this mission requires interdisciplinary collaboration and involves transdisciplinary issues. We find solutions to today’s pressing problems and implement these solutions together with stakeholders from society, industry and politics.

Teaching profile:
We are dedicated to research-based teaching and learning. Therefore, the development of new teaching approaches is evolving constantly at the interfaces between research from the different scientific disciplines. Students from all over the world benefit from this: research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and our academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods.

Research profile:
The CAU is Schleswig-Holstein’s only full-fledged university with a major focus on research. Over time, four dynamic priority research areas have systematically developed. These are based on strong disciplines interacting together – Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface and Interface Science. Each individual research area makes a substantial contribution towards dealing with at least one of the grand challenges of our time.

Transfer profile:
A university is not an island. It is an entity that impacts on, with and for society in a number of ways, by offering space for new ideas, passing on knowledge and values, and enabling debates about controversial subjects. Universities train specialists, produce innovative products and start-ups, help companies to develop further and assist politics by giving advice and warnings. The CAU encompasses top quality, innovative science, a sense of responsibility and the transfer of knowledge. We advocate for the university’s active role in society and aim to work closely together with the community to be the driving force behind regional, national and international development by looking for and finding pioneering solutions for our most pressing issues. This is the reason why we maintain a variety of active connections with our partners in science, industry, politics and society.

Read more about our profiles.

The city of Kiel is located directly on the Baltic Sea coast and is the capital of the northernmost German federal state, Schleswig-Holstein. Famous for its sailing tradition, Kiel has hosted two Olympic sailing competitions. The city's annual "Kiel Week" is the world's largest sailing event and one of the biggest cultural festivals in northern Europe. Kiel's international flair is enhanced by its port, where Scandinavian ferries dock next to cruise liners and historic ships. Those who enjoy going out will benefit from the city's lively cultural life as well as the many clubs and bars to be found between the campus and the city centre. Kiel is a strong centre of science and research. Our students benefit from studying by the sea in a city that offers short distances and a wide range of leisure facilities by the waterside. It takes less than 20 minutes to get from the lecture hall to the beach. A fresh breeze on your face and the right books on hand create a great atmosphere for learning. The social conditions for studying in Kiel are excellent. Freshmen receive a welcome payment of 100 EUR when they come to Kiel to commence their undergraduate studies. They have the opportunity to live in one of the many halls of residence, which are reasonably priced and situated close to the universities. In our bicycle-friendly city, not only the universities but also other inner-city locations can be reached conveniently by bike. The new scientific generation represents the most important resource for making Kiel, the state capital, fit for the future.

www.kiel.de