Agriculture

Program Overview

Key Facts

Qualification

DAg

Course duration

5 years

Typical Entry Requirements

• 2:2 Bachelors (Honours) degree in agricultural/biological science or a closely related discipline, or equivalent, with at least two years relevant experience in a responsible position in the agri-food sector.
• IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent
• Applicants should submit a full research proposal at the point of application

Fees and Finance

• Duration: Five to seven years to complete. 14 weeks for one module by distance learning. Three intakes per year (January, May, September).
• Contact Time: Part I of the doctoral route comprises three taught modules (including Research Methods) followed by a 120 credit dissertation (20,000 words). This part will typically take 2-3 years. Part II is undertaken for a minimum of three years and comprises a longer thesis (up to 60,000 words). It will involve experimentation and must embody the methodology and results of original research. It should, ideally, build upon the Part I dissertation.
• Assessment: There are no exams within this programme. Taught modules are assessed via course work and forum discussion. Research is monitored and assessed. The viva is an integral part of the examination of the Part II thesis.
• Course Fees: See the Fees and Scholarships information page. Fees are required to be paid in full before training commences.

Course Overview

The Professional Doctorate of Agriculture is delivered in two parts:

• Part I is undertaken for a minimum of two years and comprises two taught modules from the MSc Sustainable and Efficient Food Production and ‘Research Methods taught module, plus a portfolio of work or a research thesis (approximately 20,000 words in length). Each taught module is worth 20 credits and takes 12 or 14 weeks to complete. The short Part I thesis should involve analysing existing data from the candidate’s workplace. For example: 'Reviewing historical mineral deficiency data by species and region: analysing and interpreting the findings'. Students may exit here with an MRes.
• Part II is undertaken for a minimum of three years and comprises a longer portfolio of work or a research thesis (up to 60,000 words). It will involve experimentation and must embody the methodology and results of original research. It should, ideally, be built upon the Part 1 thesis. Thus, from the example above, could be something like: 'Changing practices and introducing innovation to combat mineral deficiencies'.

Modules September start - 2025

Core

• Module Name: Research Methods
• Module Code: BDM0120
• Credit Value: 20

Options

• Module Name: Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs
• Module Code: BDM8320
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture
• Module Code: BDM5820
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Grassland Systems
• Module Code: BDM5120
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Livestock Health and Welfare
• Module Code: BDM5920
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Livestock Nutrition
• Module Code: BDM0320
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Livestock Production Science
• Module Code: BDM5420
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Plant Breeding
• Module Code: BDM8420
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Silage Science
• Module Code: BDM5620
• Credit Value: 20
• Module Name: Soil Science
• Module Code: BDM2320
• Credit Value: 20

Teaching & Learning

Modules

The menu of optional distance-learning modules available is:

• Silage Science: This module will develop the trainee’s knowledge of modern forage and grain ensilage systems; and their skill to integrate recent research into their work.
• Improving Ruminant Production: The focus of this module is ruminants: reproductive technology, genetic improvement, dairy cattle production systems, meat production systems, meat and milk quality, and disease prevention and management.
• Ruminant Nutrition: Trainees will develop understanding of: Digestion and metabolism of nutrients, ecology of the rumen and methods used to modify it; and methods used to modify characteristics of meat and milk.
• Grassland Systems: Trainees will develop in depth knowledge of pasture based systems and learn to develop management plans towards optimizing meat/milk quality and yields; and conservation requirements. The potential of new forage crops will be explored.
• Ruminant Health and Welfare: Focuses on diseases of most concern and looks adapting systems to reduce the disease risk. Students can specialise in: dairy, beef or sheep.
• Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture: This module focuses on the challenges facing land based production and the role of emerging technologies to meet these challenges sustainably.
• Low Input Ruminant Production: This module examines the concepts behind ruminant production in low input or organic systems and considers alternative production methods.
• Ruminant Gut Microbiology: The module investigates methods used to investigate rumen microbiology and reviews ways of manipulating rumen fermentation to improve productivity whilst decreasing the environmental footprint.

Core Modules

• Research Methods: The compulsory module- Research Methods - is available three times a year so that students can fit it around their optional modules. This module must be taken before you begin your research project.
• BDM6060 and BDM6160 - Work-based Thesis (120 Credits): The compulsory module– Work-Based Thesis – can be started in any semester. This module should only be taken when Research Methodology and Advances in Biosciences has been completed and will involve a work-plan developed with your ATP tutor, academic supervisor and employer (if relevant). The thesis should involve analysing existing data from your workplace.
• Research Thesis: The compulsory Research Thesis is undertaken for a minimum of three years and comprises a longer portfolio of work or a research thesis (up to 60,000 words). It will involve experimentation and must embody the methodology and results of original research. It should, ideally, be built upon the Work-Based Thesis. It will involve a work-plan developed with your ATP tutor, academic supervisor and employer (if relevant).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Professional Doctorate of Agriculture (DAg) is a 5-year program designed for individuals pursuing professional careers in the agri-food sector. It aims to provide a qualification equivalent to a PhD but with a stronger focus on practical application and industry relevance. The program combines taught modules with two work-based research projects, delivered through workshops, distance learning, and live/virtual supervisory meetings. The program emphasizes the integration of new knowledge into the workplace, ensuring research is directly applicable to industry needs. Employers are expected to be supportive of the student's research aims and the time commitment involved. Self-employed students should focus on research aligned with their business.

Outline:

The DAg program is structured in two parts:

Part I (Minimum 2 years):

• Taught Modules:
• Two modules from the MSc Sustainable and Efficient Food Production program.
• "Research Methods" taught module.
• Research Thesis:
• A 20,000-word thesis analyzing existing data from the candidate's workplace.
• Example: "Reviewing historical mineral deficiency data by species and region: analyzing and interpreting the findings."

Part II (Minimum 3 years):

• Research Thesis:
• A longer thesis (up to 60,000 words) involving experimentation and original research.
• Ideally, builds upon the Part I thesis.
• Example: "Changing practices and introducing innovation to combat mineral deficiencies."

Course Schedule:

• Duration: 5 to 7 years to complete.
• Intake: Three intakes per year (January, May, September).
• Contact Time: Part I typically takes 2-3 years, while Part II takes a minimum of 3 years.
• Flexibility: Designed for those in full-time employment.
• Distance Learning: Each taught module is a 12 or 14-week distance learning module worth 20 credits.
• Web-based Learning: Training is web-based, accessible with a broadband connection.
• Learning Materials: Podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks, discussion forums, assignments, and e-tutorials.

Modules:

May Start - 2024:

Core:

• Research Methods (BDM0120): 20 credits
• MRes Research Project (A) (BDM6060): 60 credits
• MRes Research Project (B) (BDM6160): 60 credits

Options:

• Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs (BDM8320): 20 credits
• Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture (BDM5820): 20 credits
• Grassland Systems (BDM5120): 20 credits
• Livestock Health and Welfare (BDM5920): 20 credits
• Livestock Nutrition (BDM0320): 20 credits
• Livestock Production Science (BDM5420): 20 credits
• Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production (BDM7520): 20 credits
• Plant Breeding (BDM8420): 20 credits
• Ruminant Gut Microbiology (BDM2820): 20 credits
• Silage Science (BDM5620): 20 credits

September Start - 2024, January Start - 2025, May Start - 2025:

The modules for these intakes are the same as the May Start - 2024 intake, with the exception of "Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production" being replaced by "Organic and Low Input Livestock Production" (BDM7520).

Assessment:

• No exams.
• Taught modules assessed through coursework and forum discussions.
• Research is monitored and assessed.
• Viva voce examination is an integral part of the Part II thesis assessment.

Teaching:

• Distance learning modules:
• Silage Science: Develops knowledge of modern forage and grain ensilage systems and skills to integrate recent research into work.
• Improving Ruminant Production: Focuses on ruminants, including reproductive technology, genetic improvement, dairy cattle production systems, meat production systems, meat and milk quality, and disease prevention and management.
• Ruminant Nutrition: Develops understanding of digestion and metabolism of nutrients, rumen ecology, methods to modify rumen characteristics, and methods to modify meat and milk characteristics.
• Grassland Systems: Provides in-depth knowledge of pasture-based systems, management plans for optimizing meat/milk quality and yields, and conservation requirements.
Explores the potential of new forage crops.
• Ruminant Health and Welfare: Focuses on diseases of concern and adapting systems to reduce disease risk.
Students can specialize in dairy, beef, or sheep.
• Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture: Focuses on challenges facing land-based production and the role of emerging technologies to meet these challenges sustainably.
• Low Input Ruminant Production: Examines concepts behind ruminant production in low input or organic systems and considers alternative production methods.
• Ruminant Gut Microbiology: Investigates methods used to investigate rumen microbiology and reviews ways to manipulate rumen fermentation to improve productivity while decreasing the environmental footprint.
• Core Modules:
• Research Methods (BDM0120): Compulsory module available three times a year.
Must be taken before starting the research project.
• Work-Based Thesis (BDM6060 and BDM6160): Compulsory module, can be started in any semester.
Requires completion of Research Methods and involves a work-plan developed with the ATP tutor, academic supervisor, and employer (if relevant). The thesis should analyze existing data from the workplace.
• Research Thesis: Compulsory module undertaken for a minimum of three years.
Involves experimentation and original research, building upon the Work-Based Thesis.

Other:

• The program is available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh.
• The program is designed to be accessible to those in full-time employment.
• Self-employed students should focus on research aligned with their business.