MSc Agriculture Syllabus & Subjects 2025 comprises various subjects related to cutting-edge agricultural science, sustainable farming methods, and food production technologies. Moreover, you will study key concepts like Soil fertility and nutrient management, Entomology, Plant breeding and genetics, Environmental dissertation and many others.
MSc Agriculture or Masters of Science is a two-year program that incorporates the study of cutting-edge agricultural science, sustainable farming methods, and food production technologies. You will be learning about agribusiness, developed farming practices, scientific analyses of farming, and husbandry. More to that, the syllabus will also cover various topics such as water and nutrient management, agricultural statistics, plant biochemistry, seed technology, and horticulture, among others.
The syllabus for an MSc in Agriculture typically includes the following subjects:
Other subjects include: Health management, Human population, Environment dissertation, Seminar, and Survey-based projects.
With the help of the MSc Agriculture program, you get an opportunity to gain proficiency in agronomy, horticulture, forestry, genetics, plant breeding and more. By means of practical and theoretical learning, you will be equipped to perform research, understand product techniques, and advanced plant sciences. Having the right knowledge and skills through an MSc in Agriculture, you will be able to contribute to the effects on the environment.
Each of the MSc Agriculture stream subjects has its own course syllabus by following which students will develop particular skills. The MSc Agriculture syllabus fosters the development of generic competencies. Aside from that, students learn to identify problems, develop research-based questions, choose experimental methods, and so on.
Read further and acquire more details before pursuing the course program.
During the course duration of two years, you will be studying both elective as well as core subjects. In the third year, you will be asked to choose a specialisation. You can select the specialisation on the grounds of your interests and goals. In the last two semesters of the MSc Agriculture syllabus, you will be offered to partake in internship programmes. Through the medium of these programs, you will get an opportunity to work in industry-like platforms that will help you cultivate industry knowledge and foster professional development.
The MSc Agriculture subjects and syllabus are designed to meet the following course objectives:
In the next section, the MSc Agriculture syllabus format is given below:
First-Year Syllabus for Agriculture Science
Tabulated below are the topics and subjects that you will be studying in the first year of your course program:
MSc Agriculture Science- Semester 1 | |
---|---|
Principles and Practices of Water Management | Micro Economic Theory and Application |
Principles of Nematology | Plant Biochemistry |
Basic Plant Breeding | Agrometeorology and Crop Weather Forecasting |
Principles and Practices of Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | _ |
MSc Agriculture Science- Semester 2 | |
Plant Genetic Resources and Seed Technology | Modern Concepts in Crop Production |
Dryland Farming and Watershed Management | Agricultural Statistics |
Cropping Systems and Sustainable Agriculture | Principles of Cytogenetics |
Principles of Quantitative Genetics | _ |
Second-Year Syllabus for Agriculture Science
Tabulated below are the topics and subjects that you will be studying in the second year of your course program:
MSc Agriculture Science- Semester 3 | |
---|---|
Agronomy of Major Cereals and Pulses | Cropping System And Sustainable Agriculture |
Irrigation Management | Basic Horticulture |
Toxicology of Insecticides | Integrated Livestock Farming System |
Agronomy of Fodder And Forage Crops | Econometrics |
Specialization-1 | Specialization-2 |
MSc Agriculture Science- Semester 4 | |
Agri Marketing Basics | Advances in Crop Production |
Agrostology | Practical Training |
Research Project | Internship |
Also Read: Top MSc Agriculture Colleges in India 2025
There are a variety of streams in the MSc Agriculture course including Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Forestry, Genetics, etc. Each of them is information-centric and helps you gain profound knowledge of the subject. You have the opportunity to choose it as per your preferred career and interests. While selecting a career in the Agriculture field, it is essential for you to check out the streamwise subjects and syllabus of the related streams. It will ensure that you have a popper clue about what you will be studying through the course program. Captures below is a streamwise syllabus for MSc Agriculture:
MSc Agronomy Course Syllabus
MSc Agronomy deals with the knowledge of sustainable methods of agriculture. The subjects of the MSc Agronomy syllabus include the following:
Concepts in Crop Production | Agroforestry & Agrostology |
---|---|
Principles of Seed Production | Principles of Cropping System and Sustainability |
Principles of Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | Research Methodology |
Principles of Weed Management | Seed Quality Testing |
Agronomy of Tuber and Fiber Crops | Master's Seminar |
Experimental Design | Master’s Research |
Principles of Organic Farming | - |
Seed Processing and Storage | - |
Dry Land Farming and Watershed Management | - |
MSc Horticulture Course Syllabus
Plant cultivation, Plant Management Techniques, Marketing, etc. are the key learning areas of MSc Horticulture. The subjects included in its course curriculum are as follows:
Systematic Horticulture | Medicinal and Aromatic Plants |
---|---|
Plant Propagation and Nursery Husbandry | Minor Fruits |
Statistical Method | Temperate Fruits |
Vegetable Crop | Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops |
Tropical and Subtropical Fruits | Quality Control of Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers |
Orchard Management | Floriculture and Landscaping |
Design of Experiments | Breeding of Horticultural Crops |
Spices Plantation | Field Study and Thesis |
MSc Forestry Course Syllabus
In the MSc Forestry course, the key focus area is Forests And Forest Ecology. Wood Harvesting, Wood Science, and Technology, Wildlife Management is also taught in the course. Some important subjects included in the MSc Forestry syllabus are mentioned below:
Advances in Silviculture | Management of Insect-Pest and Diseases |
---|---|
Forest Ecology | Nursery and Plantation Technology |
Forest Mensuration and Biostatistics | Elective |
Agroforestry Principles and Systems | Forest Products and Industries |
Forest Resources and Economics | Tree Seed Technology |
Advanced in Forest Management | Environment Science |
Forest Biodiversity and Conservation | Dissertation / Project Work |
Forest Legislation and Policies | Elective |
MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding Course Syllabus
As a course, MSc Genetics focuses on the application methods of Genetics, different methods used for the quality improvement of crops, etc. The subjects that are taught in the MSc Genetics are as follows:
Mendelian Genetics | Genetic Engineering |
---|---|
Molecular Genetics | Environmental Genetics |
Cytogenetics | Population Genetics |
Cytology | Modern Methods in Crop Breeding |
Techniques in Cell Biology | Plant Biotechnology |
Plant Biochemistry | Developmental Genetics |
Plant Breeding | Biosystematics |
Elective | - |
The course subjects of MSc Agriculture consist of both core and optional subjects. When it comes to conceptual learning, it will be provided by means of core or mandatory papers. The elective subjects add up to the learning you receive from compulsory subjects. At the beginning of the course program, you will be taught the fundamentals of various concepts and then the critical concepts will be implemented progressively. You will be educated through internships, practical training, papers and research projects. All of these provide you with an in-depth understanding of the MSc Agriculture curriculum.
Here are the diverse MSc Agriculture course subjects that you will be studying in your course program:
Agronomy | Agricultural Entomology |
---|---|
Agricultural Economics | Plant Pathology |
Agricultural Botany | Agriculture Chemistry |
Extension Education | Soil Science |
Animal Husbandry | Food Sustainability |
Dairy Science | Gene Modification and Technology |
Crop Production | Horticulture |
Agricultural Meteorology | Seed Technology |
Harvest Technology | Marketing Management |
The core subjects of MSc Agriculture are curated in a manner that provides profound insights into agriculture and plant science. In general, you will be taught the core subjects through classroom teaching. In addition to this, you will study many subjects as compulsory papers. Let us get into the details of the core subjects of MSc Agriculture:
Subject | Details |
---|---|
Agronomy | This branch of agriculture acquaints you with the ethics and practices of crop production and administration and you get to study miscellaneous topics, such as field management, crop physiology, and organic farming. |
Soil Science | In this subject, you will be learning the science of soils, their effects, and their position in agriculture including topics like soil formation, category, and physical and chemical properties. |
Plant Breeding | With the help of this subject, you will understand the procedure used to enhance crop varieties by influencing their genetic makeup to improve traits like disease resistance, yield, and adaptability. |
Genetics | This specialisation discusses breeding methods, plant genetics, biotechnology, and crop advancement techniques. |
Agricultural Chemistry | With this subject, you will receive a deep understanding of the chemical concept behind plant nutrition, agricultural practices, and soil science. |
Forestry | This subject talks about scientific oversight and preservation of forest resources along with key notions like forest management, silviculture, forest ecology, and forest outcomes. |
Plant Physiology | In this subject, you will be taught about the physiological and molecular tools of plant growth and progress, from seed to seed. |
Entomology | With this subject, you will be studying insects and their connection to agriculture, covering topics such as pest control procedures, biological management agents, insect identification, and endurable farming methods. |
Also Read: Top MSc Agriculture Colleges in Jaipur
Therefore, you will be studying agronomy-related subjects in all the semesters. It will help you get a comprehensive overview of the field and will prepare you to utilise various techniques carried out in the field.
While studying the course subjects of MSc Agriculture, you will be able to develop a passion for research and extensive knowledge of Agricultural Science. You will be studying the science of farming along with different strategies that help with the aggregate production of plants and food. In Agronomy, you will be studying Water Science and specific principles of water management. Other than that, you will also learn about soil and fertility management. As a result, the common subjects of MSC Agriculture will provide you with a wide-ranging knowledge.
By virtue of optional subjects, you will get to master yourself in terms of a specific field related to the MSc in Agriculture. Apparently, you will be required to study the optional subjects near the end of the course as you will already have a detailed understanding of the basic concepts. Agriculture is relevant to economics and statistics, so you will need to study these subjects in order to have a clear insight into the operation of the agricultural field. As a consequence, you will see these two subjects on the list as well. Apart from them, there are a few more elective subjects, however, it might vary from college to college.
Let us have a look at some of the common optional subjects of MSc Agriculture:
While pursuing the MSc in Agriculture, you will be also engaging in lab classes where you will be provided practical learning on MSc Agriculture. With the help of these subjects, you will be able to get hands-on experience and master lab-based activities related to different MSc Agriculture subjects. Some of the popular lab subjects are mentioned below:
Also Read: College of Agriculture(CoA), Pune- Admission 2025, Fees, Courses, Placement, Ranking
The distance learning mode is quite popular as it provides you with an opportunity to complete the course according to your convenience. In order to be eligible for this course program, you must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or Horticulture from an authorised board. If you don't have the resources or time to pursue regular classroom teaching, you can opt for this method.
During the distance education program of MSc Agriculture, you will be taught through seminars, theoretical training, and research-based training. The syllabus of the distance learning method is curated in a way that acknowledges you with cultivation, farming, and its present scenarios. Other than that, it also possesses MSc Agriculture specializations just like the regular course.
Mentioned below is the syllabus that you will be studying in the first year of MSc Agriculture Science through distance mode:
Semester 1 | |
---|---|
Principles and Practices of Water Management | Agrometeorology and Crop Weather Forecasting |
Principles and Practices of Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management | - |
Semester 2 | |
Plant Genetic Resources and Weed Technology | Modern Concepts in Crop Production |
Dryland Farming and Watershed Management | Cropping Systems and Sustainable Agriculture |
Mentioned below is the syllabus that you will be studying in the second year of MSc Agriculture Science through distance mode:
Semester 3 | |
---|---|
Agronomy of Major Cereals and Pulses | Agronomy of Oilseeds, Commercial, Fibre Crops |
Semester 4 | |
Research Project | Comprehensive |
Seminar |
If you are eager to pursue a course program in MSc Agriculture, you will need to participate in the entrance exams. There are various organisations that conduct entrance exams at both the national and institute levels to provide you admission in MSc Agriculture. If you pass the exams you will get admission into the college or universities according to the scores. You can consider partaking in some of the most sought-after entrance exams like CUET, MCAER PG CET, ICAR AIEEA, etc.
Here we have provided a syllabus for some of the popular entrance exams. Go through them and prepare for the exams accordingly.
Exam Name | About | Entrance Exam Syllabus |
---|---|---|
MCAER PG CET | Maharashtra Council of Agriculture Education and Research Post Graduate Common Entrance Test is conducted by MAUEB (Maharashtra Agriculture Universities Examination Board). This is a state-level PG exam conducted online. | MCAER PG CET entrance exam syllabus |
ICAR AIEEA | This exam is conducted to offer various Agricultural courses to PG and UG levels for different universities and colleges across India. National Testing Agency is the conducting body of this exam. | ICAR AIEEA Entrance Exam Syllabus |
CUET PG | Common University Entrance Test is held to offer various PG courses offered by the Central Universities of India. | CUET PG Entrance Exam Syllabus |
Also Read: College of Agriculture(CoA), Kasaragod- Admission 2025, Fees, Courses, Placement, Ranking
Books are the major source of wisdom and in order to perform well in all semesters, you will need to get different books. That being the case, you should try to get your hands on the most advantageous for the MSc Agriculture course. Once you start searching, you will find a plethora of books related to this course program. Despite that, make sure to indulge in those books that comprise beneficial subject-oriented content. Here we have provided you with a listicle of influential books that you can consider buying while pursuing an MSc in Agriculture.
Book | Author |
---|---|
Biotechnological Applications of Biodiversity | Joydeep Mukherjee |
Cropping System: Research Approach | Benukar Biswas |
Crop Production In Stress Environments: Genetic And Management Options | DP Singh |
Decision Support Systems in Potato Production: Bringing Models to Practice | A J Haverkort and D K L Mackerron |
Principles of Crop Production | SR Reddy |
The course of MSc Agriculture retains various subjects of Agriculture and Plant Services. Most universities follow a constructive course structure to provide you with comprehensive learning. You will be taught the course program through classroom teaching, internship, seminars and workshops helping to build your expertise. Through the medium of age-appropriate and course-oriented teaching methods including course books, assignments and case studies among others. Provided below is a course structure for MSc Agriculture:
In most institutes, the course knowledge is shared through the above-mentioned course components. Though there may be slight differences in the structure. With the help of this course structure, you will be able to gain the mandatory aptitude and become knowledgeable about Agriculture and its interconnected sectors.