Program Overview

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Key Facts

UCAS Tariff

120 - 104

Course duration

4 years

Course Overview

The taught component of the Plant Biology with integrated year in industry degree (C202) is identical to the standard three-year BSc Plant Biology (C200). The year in industry is taken in your third year in the UK or overseas, is supervised and assessed, and will count towards your degree grade. During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee.

Why study Plant Biology at Aberystwyth University?

BSc Plant Biology will provide you with real-life opportunities to challenge your knowledge and think creatively. You will benefit from many fieldwork opportunities looking at both environmental and agricultural scenarios.

Careers

Career opportunities for Plant Scientists are truly excellent, with many jobs and few trained scientists in this area, and we are perfectly placed to help you exploit UK and international links. Our graduates are working in conservation management, industrial and government-funded plant research institutes and the scientific civil service.

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?

In the first year you'll explore the amazing diversity of life on Earth, and gain a thorough grounding in the biology essential to understand biota, including physiology, genetics, cell biology and microbes. You'll look at the fundamental principles of ecology and the relationships between species, covering energy transfer, intra- and inter-species interactions and resource utilisation. You'll learn about soil composition and key soil processes, and will be introduced to the evolution, biodiversity, physiology and human exploitation of the land flora. You'll study the development and management of British habitats, and consider future challenges such as responding to global climate and conserving biodiversity. You'll also develop the necessary practical skills required for research in biology through a series of linked experiments.

In the second year you'll study plant physiology, the horticultural production of plants and crop production. You'll consider habitats, landscapes and the communities of species that reside within them, and gain essential practical skills. You'll acquire species identification and surveying skills and apply them first-hand in a residential field course during the Easter vacation. You'll investigate the impact of climate change as one of the major future challenges to global biodiversity, and apply your learning to problems and solutions through field excursions and practical classes.

In the third year you'll undertake your industrial placement. You may undertake some or all of your industrial year abroad.

In the final year you'll gain an appreciation of plant science research and learn about microbial pathogenesis. You can choose to study topics like crop and grassland science or genomics, or take part in field courses, which offer you the chance to visit some of the world’s key biodiversity hotspots and tropical rainforests. A research project will allow you to perform in-depth research under the guidance of a supervisor. Your project may be based on laboratory experiments or fieldwork exercises, comprise a computer modelling exercise or involve data analysis.

How will I be taught?

The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars, field courses and practicals.

Assessment

You will be assessed through essays, practical exercises, oral presentations, worksheets, experiments reports, statistical exercises, posters, wikis, literature reviews, field notebooks and exams.

Modules

Year 1

• Cell Biology *
• Communication Skills
• Crop, grassland, soil and agricultural land management *
• Genetics, Evolution and Diversity
• Microbial and Plant Diversity *
• Molecules and Cells
• Organisms and the Environment
• Practical Skills for Biologists
• Skills for Biologists *

Year 2

• Agronomy and Crop Improvement *
• Climate Change: Plants, Animals and Ecosystems
• Controlled Environment Crop Production and Horticulture
• Research Methods *
• Wildlife Surveying

Year 3

• Integrated Year in Industry

Year 4

• Frontiers in Plant Science
• Microbial Pathogenesis
• Research Project *

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

120 - 104

A Levels

BBB-BCC with B in Biology

GCSE requirements

(minimum grade C/4): English or Welsh, Science and Mathematics

BTEC National Diploma

DDD-DDM in a specified subject

International Baccalaureate

30-28 with 5 points in Biology at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate

75%-65% overall with 7 in Biology

English Language Requirements

See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements

International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.