Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in Food Animal Metabolism and Management in the Circular Economy

ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS EXPERT

Function in a professional context:

Animal production systems experts:
- manage the production and organisational aspects of animal production systems according to a circular approach;
- deal with the functional and economic aspects linked to the introduction and management of technical and organisational innovations in animal production systems;
- organise the business functions, including the commercial aspects of organisations working in the animal production sector;
- perform planning and management functions for business development initiatives in the field of animal production;
- manage big data for the economic, social and environmental optimization of breeding system performance;
- develop metabolic efficiency models for the optimization of nutrient use, also with a view to disease prevention, the promotion of animal well-being and the quality of foods of animal origin;
- organise and manage aspects linked to animal feed, genetic improvement, monitoring of well-being and the promotion of health in farm animals.

Competencies associated to the function:

The theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the course units in the programme aim to develop the following competencies:
- the ability to manage data and information for the purpose of production process optimization;
- the ability to use modelling approaches to manage company resources and processes in a sustainable way;
- the ability to apply economic viability assessment methods, organised according to a circular model and applied to business choices;
- the ability to identify and manage factors that, independently or in combination, affect the environmental sustainability and economic viability of animal production;
- the ability to organise monitoring and control activities to production, reproduction, the state of health and environmental conditions of animal production;
- the ability to calibrate business functions according to the monitoring and control indicators adopted in animal production systems;
- the ability to apply scientific method and draft simple and complex technical and scientific reports;
- the ability to analyse the specific conditions of the context affecting the performance of animal production systems.

Career opportunities:
- Agricultural, zootechnical and aquaculture companies.
- Manufacturers of technical equipment and management systems for animal productions.
- Professional and consulting firms providing animal production services and environmental services to agriculture and animal husbandry.
- Technical assistance and training services for the agrifood sector;
- Certification and control institutions working in the food production sector.
- National and international public bodies and institutions working in the animal production sector.
- Public and private research institutions and universities;
- Governmental and non-governmental bodies working in agricultural development cooperation.
- Producers' associations.

After sitting the related state exam, graduates may register with the Association of Agronomists and Forestry Experts, for freelance activities.
Graduates with a sufficient number of credits in appropriate sectors may, as provided for by the legislation in force, sit the entrance exams for secondary education courses.