Many of the teachers and researchers in Agricultural Sciences are active members of the following high-quality research organisations:
These organisations aim to enhance cutting-edge and internationally recognized research and teaching.
The research is presented on this page according to the programme's four study tracks: plant production sciences, animal science, agrotechnology, and environmental soil science.
Plant Production Sciences focuses on the sustainability of agriculture and food systems, adaptation to climate change, the identification of new crop plants, the efficiency of nutrient intake, protein self-sufficiency and new sources of plant protein, defence mechanisms against plant diseases, the environmental impacts of production, the preservation of diversity, and the exploitation of genomic information in plant breeding and biotechnology.
Our research is focused on the following six research areas in Plant Production Sciences:
Animal Science examines alternative sources of protein, such as microphytes, insects and new plant proteins, as well as the effect of nutrition on the welfare of animals. Research in animal breeding and biotechnology develops measures to make use of automatically collected large bodies of data and genomic information in the selection of animals with the aim of intensifying animal production in a sustainable manner.
Sustainable use of natural resources, mitigation of environmental impact and animal well-being are guiding our research, which focuses on:
Agrotechnology studies the sustainable intensification of production methods, the use of automation, measuring techniques and modelling in production and decision-making, the production and use of renewable energy, as well as the means provided by soil and environmental technology to enhance the recycling of nutrients and manage environmental loading as the climate changes.
Our research is focused on:
Environmental Soil Science focuses on physical, chemical and microbiological processes in the production of clean food and groundwater as well as other soil ecosystem services, the utilisation of waste and industrial by-products, the management of environmental loading and the remediation of polluted sites. Clean soil is a precondition for vital biota and material cycling in the ecosystem.
Teaching at the University of Helsinki is based on research and provided by researchers well-versed in their discipline, teaching the topics of their research.
In addition to relevant research-based knowledge, university education utilises diverse teaching and assessment methods promoting students’ learning, the development of scholarly thinking and the establishment of expertise.
From the beginning of their studies, students are part of the academic community. They get to familiarise themselves with the latest research. In many fields, students have the opportunity to complete their thesis in collaboration with research groups.