Program Details

Agriculture in the 21^st century is facing enormous challenges. Not only are farmers expected to produce adequate agricultural products at affordable prices to guarantee enough food for a rising global population, but they are also expected to do so under conditions of increasingly scarce natural resources and climate change. The quantity, quality and sustainability of soil and water are jeopardized by urban land growth, improper use and management, and climate change threats.

The MSc in Soil and Water Sciences program aims to prepare students for coping with current and future agricultural challenges. The unique Israeli environment, characterized by limited water resources, state-of-the-art agriculture, and diverse climate and soils, offers students exciting research opportunities to tackle these global questions.

Study and research in the MSc Soil and Water Sciences program combines the chemical and physical aspects of the soil-water-atmosphere continuum to approach precision agriculture. Teaching focuses on theoretical aspects in the soil-water-atmosphere continuum, as well as their implementation in precision agricultural practice.

Students may enroll in the non-thesis track (40 credits) or the thesis track (24 credits), both of which extend over 2 years. Each student will carry out an individual research project, supervised by a faculty member, on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with his/her supervisor.

Career & Networking 

Graduates gain valuable hands-on experience allowing them to join research and development teams in soil and water-related agro-tech industries, or to pursue higher academic research and degrees.

Teaching Faculty

Faculty members include established leading scientists who employ a wide variety of interdisciplinary approaches to topics in the soil-water-atmosphere continuum, as well as environmental sciences.   

The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Ranked among the top 30 agricultural schools worldwide, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment is committed to the responsible preservation of the environment for future generations and to developing ways of increasing sustainable food and water resources. The long list of world-changing breakthroughs developed by the faculty’s researchers include modern drip irrigation methods, the cherry tomato, returning fragrance to flowers, environmentally safe pesticides, improving pollination by manipulating honeybee behavior, and a slew of other advanced environmentally responsible agricultural techniques, especially under conditions of scarce water.

Teaching and research activities at the institution consistently advance modern agriculture while training tomorrow's scientists and agriculturists. Faculty graduates hold key positions in the agricultural industry in Israel and around the world and apply their knowledge to compete in world markets.The faculty welcomes international students from all over the world including the International School, located in the Faculty of Agriculture. Faculty graduates hold key positions in the agricultural industry in Israel and around the world and use their knowledge to compete in world markets.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the program must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited university in a relevant field, such as agricultural sciences, geology, agricultural and/or environmental engineering, and more.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 80 (B-), and those from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate a high level of English proficiency by providing one of the following documents:

• proof of university-level exemption from English-language studies
• an official letter stating the applicant’s previous academic studies were conducted in English
• a TOEFL score of at least 80
• an IELTS score of at least 6

A thesis supervisor must be secured prior to applying. For advice on how to find a supervisor, you are welcome to visit our “How to Find a Supervisor” page.

For detailed information on admission requirements, based on the country where you completed your undergraduate studies, please click here.

Tuition and Scholarships

Hebrew University offers full tuition scholarships to MSc students in research tracks in Natural and Exact Sciences.
Additional merit-based and need-based scholarships and living stipends may be available.

Further Information

Academic Inquiries:

Prof. Ronny Wallach, Program Head:
ronny.wallach@mail.huji.ac.il

Administrative Inquiries: Ms. Michal Goldberg: michalgo@savion.huji.ac.il
Program Website

 

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