The first master year consists of 60 credits compulsory courses of which the first semester are basic nematology courses to bring all students to the same level. The second semester is more specialised and applied.

During the first master year and the summer holidays, students follow the Summer Course: Networking & Seminars. It includes participation to international symposia, workshops on generic skills and competences, visits to companies and institutes in the EU working on nematodes or in a related field.

In the second master year, students choose between three tracks:

1. UGent Track: 3 compulsory courses and choice of 17 credits elective courses: students can decide in this track to further specialise or broaden their knowledge to other fields than nematology. A professional Internship is possible within this track.
2. Kenya Track: all compulsory courses give students better experience to work in a (sub)tropical region. Three compulsory courses are taught at UGent. Then students stay in Kenya during November and December for a Professional Internship and to follow two courses at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) and International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Tropical Crop Pests and Diseases & Extension Service Practice in which they attend several seminars and visit farmers. In the frame of the course Nematology Didactics & Capacity Building, students facilitate a one week training at icipe/IITA, the Basic Crash Course Nematology (BCCN), where they are expected to transfer their knowledge on nematology to participants of the BCCN.
3. International Mobility Track: for students who wish to experience Erasmus Exchange at another partner university.

During the fourth semester, students conduct the Master Dissertation at UGent or at one of our many European and international partner institutions.

From 2022 onwards, every IMaNema student can apply for a financial contribution to undertake a relevant study mobility to VLIR-UOS countries for example as part of the master thesis, a professional internship, Kenya Track.

Details about the curriculum and each course unit can be found in the UGent study guide.

To have an idea of the time schedule of the 1st master year – 1st semester: https://imanema.ugent.be/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TimeEdit_International_Msc_in_Agro-_and_Environmental_Nematology_2023_SEM1.pdf. Presence in the lectures is recommended and all practical sessions are compulsory!