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

• Human Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Genetics, molecular evolution and diversity
• Academic Skills
• Environmental Science and Society
• Introduction to Plant Science
• Plant Science Research Tutorials
• Principles of Ecology

Year Two

• Environmental plant physiology
• Research and Professional Skills
• 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
• 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
• IB score: 30
• IELTS: 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)
• GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade C/4 or above required
• Excluded subjects: General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Leisure Studies, Science and Society

Alternative Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
• BTEC HND/HNC
• BTEC Extended Diploma

Tuition Fees

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

Additional Costs

• All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Personal laptops are not compulsory but recommended
• Additional costs for books, printer credits, and field trips may apply

Scholarships and Bursaries

• Home students: means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year
• International students: range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars

Careers

• Plant biologists can work in crop production, plant biotechnology, food industries, environmental management
• Other routes include publishing, commerce, and teaching
• Recent graduates' roles include plant propagators and tissue culturists, horticulturists, research scientists, plant quarantine/quality inspectors, plant breeders, and journalists

Campus

• University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings, and modern facilities
• One of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003