UNL Launches Online Plant Breeding & Genetics Certificate Program

LINCOLN, Neb., June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently launched a new online educational program designed to meet the growing demand for plant breeding and genetics professionals.

"In 30 years, the world's population will reach 9 billion. The pressure is on to develop smarter, better ways to grow the food needed to feed all those people," says Deana Namuth-Covert, Distance Education Director for UNL's Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. "Currently, there are tremendous career opportunities for plant breeders and geneticists. It's one of those rare fields where both large and small employers, such as local seed industries clear to the world's largest food production companies, cannot find enough talent to fill open positions," says Namuth-Covert.

UNL's online Plant Breeding & Genetics Certificate Program instills a superior understanding of the cutting-edge technologies and methods used today. It can be taken by professionals for continuing education units, or anyone currently working in, or interested in working in agribusiness, seed production, plant biology or related fields. The program provides highly practical knowledge through courses such as:

Basic Genetics Principles
Advanced Plant Breeding Topics such as Double Haploids and G x E Concepts
Plant Resistance to Abiotic and Biotic Stressors
Production of Specialty Grain Crops
Animal, Food & Industry Uses of Grain
Crop Genetic Engineering

Students can learn more about the program and register for classes at: http://agronomy.unl.edu/plantgenetics.

About the Program

Developed by UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the online Plant Breeding & Genetics professional certificate program is taught by the university's world-renowned plant breeders and best teaching faculty. An interdisciplinary approach is used to address production constraints and environmental issues related to agronomic and horticultural cropping systems.

Media Contact:

Deana Namuth-Covert, Apollidon, 402-909-0194, plbreedcert@unl.edu

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Search: