The European Master in Animal Breeding and Genetics (EM-ABG) offers high quality training, both in terms of scientific knowledge and didactic skills, provided by six excellent university groups within the EU. The EM-ABG is a response to the need for highly qualified graduates in the internationally operating area of animal breeding and genetics.

Objective:
The integrated European Master of Science Course in Animal Breeding and Genetics (EM-ABG) aims to offer high quality international training, both in terms of scientific knowledge as well as in didactic skills, provided by a limited number of excellent university groups within EU.

Integrating education in a joint course offers the students a better opportunity to specialize in a certain aspect, as well as to have access to a broad range of subjects, bringing about a holistic view on the sustainable use of animal genetic resources. The course will be highly relevant for both EU and non-EU students who wish to be employed in organizations working in the field of sustainable animal breeding.

The EM-ABG aims to provide a European dimension in the knowledge-intensive area of animal breeding which is operating internationally. European animal breeding organisations are world leaders, with global market shares of up to 90%. There is an increased need for people with a MSc degree in animal breeding, but the number of graduates is currently decreasing. The EM-ABG provides a response to the need for highly qualified graduates as well as to the need to adapt education systems to the demands of the knowledge society, to enhance the attractiveness and visibility of European higher education world-wide, and to stimulate the process of convergence of degree structures across Europe. The EM-ABG aims at training students who wish to contribute to the development of sustainable farm animal breeding. Graduates will be able to find positions in and outside Europe, either in their country or in a national branch of an international breeding organisation.

The EM-ABG overall aim is:

1. to offer quality higher education with a distinct European added value, attractive both within the European uni0n and beyond its borders;
2. to encourage and enable highly qualified graduates and scholars from all over the world to obtain qualifications and/or experience in the European uni0n;
3. to improve accessibility and enhance the profile and visibility of higher education in the European uni0n.

The subscription fees are the same, irrespective of the chosen study track
EU students : € 2,000 per academic year / € 4,000 for the whole master course
Non-EU students : € 8,000 per academic year / € 16,000 for the whole master course

The subscription fees include the following costs:

1. Registration in two universities
2. Costs of the orientation period
3. Allocation of a research grant to every student for direct costs related to thesis research and internship
4. Participation in the summer activity at the end of the first year

The subscription fees do not include the living expenses or the travel costs to and within Europe.

Scholarships
The EM-ABG course is supported by the Erasmus Mundus Programme of the European Uni0n:

1. Ten scholarships for third-country (non-EU, Category A) selected students are offered. The amount for academic year 2010/2011 is € 24,000 per year which should cover the living costs, insurance, travel costs and subscription fees.
2. Two scholarships for students from the Western Balkans and Turkey are offered. The amount for academic year 2010/2011 is € 24,000 per year which should cover the living costs, insurance, travel costs and subscription fees.
3. Eight scholarships for EU students (Category B) selected students are also offered starting September 2010. The amount offered for academic year 2010/2011 is €10,000 per year which should cover the living costs, insurance, travel costs and subscription fees.
4. Scholarships for third-country (non-EU) selected scholars (academic staff) are offered as well. Duration of the stay at one of the partner universities can vary from two weeks minimum (€ 2400) up to a 3-month stay (€ 14,800).
5. The scholarship application is included in the application form (application deadline 15th of January 2010 for Category A scholarships and third-country scholars and April 15th for Category B scholarships).

Application deadline EM-ABG program for third-country (non-EU) students and for non-EU scholars (academic staff) with Erasmus Mundus scholarship: 15th of January, 2010.

Application deadline self-paying (EU and non-EU) students: 15th of April, 2010.

For more information and application:
EM-ABG Secretary
Animal Breeding and Genomics Center
Wageningen University
PO Box 338
NL 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
t: +31 (0) 317 482 335
emabg[at]wur.nl - www.emabg.eu

Coordinator:
Prof. Johan A.M. van Arendonk
Animal Breeding and Genomics Center
Wageningen University

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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.