Program Overview

Plant Biology BSc

Overview

All the food we eat stems from plants and crops. As the human population grows and our climate changes, we need to improve crop productivity. Plant and crop scientists have a vital role in the future of food. Our plant biology degree teaches you how to experiment with and investigate plant growth. You'll understand how plants develop, reproduce and how they evolve to respond to their environment.

Why Choose This Course?

• Benefit from our international reputation for research in plant biology. You'll be taught by experts across different aspects of plant science.
• Explore many exciting aspects of modern plant science, including:
  • Cell and molecular biology
  • Gene editing
  • Plant-pathogen interactions
  • Environmental physiology
  • Ecology
• You'll apply plant biology to uses in the agricultural, horticultural, biotechnology and food industries.
• Access resources such as the Hounsfield Facility where the Hidden Half of Plants is revealed by CT-Scanners.

Course Structure

Year One

• Academic Skills
• Environmental Science and Society
• Genes, Molecules and Cells
• Introduction to Plant Science
• Plant Science Research Tutorials
• Principles of Ecology

Year Two

• Environmental plant physiology
• Research and Professional Skills
• Optional modules:
  • Applied crop science
  • Biological Photography and Imaging I
  • Computer Modelling in Science: Introduction
  • Ecological Surveying
  • Economic Analysis for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  • Ecosystem Processes
  • Enterprise Management Challenge
  • Forest Ecology and Management
  • Insect Biology
  • Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • Molecular Pharming and Biotechnology
  • Plant pests and pathogens
  • Soils
  • The Green Planet

Year Three

• Undergraduate Research Project
• Optional modules:
  • Omics: At the Forefront of Biotechnology
  • Current Issues in Crop Science
  • Field Crops Cereals
  • Genetic Improvement of Crop Plants
  • Palaeobiology
  • Plant biotic interactions: from conflict to cooperation
  • Plant Cell Signalling
  • Plant Pathology
  • Plants and the Light Environment
  • Plant Ecophysiology
  • Sex, Flowers and Biotechnology
  • Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Entry Requirements

• ABB
• 30 points overall or 655 in 3 HL certificates (IB)
• 5 in HL Biology
• IELTS: 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

Fees

• £9,535 (UK undergraduate students)
• £30,750 (International students)

Careers

• Plant biologists can work in crop production, plant biotechnology, food industries, environmental management.
• Other routes include publishing, commerce and teaching.
• You can also continue study to PhD level, or work in government research institutes such as Rothamsted Research and John Innes Centre.

Recent Graduates' Roles

• Plant propagators and tissue culturists
• Horticulturists at Kew Gardens, other botanic gardens and in industry
• Research scientists in the plant science industry and institutes
• Plant quarantine/quality inspectors
• Plant breeders
• Journalists

Average Starting Salary and Career Progression

• 86.40% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Science secured employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
• The average annual salary for these graduates was £27,834.