Plant Sciences MSc

Overview

It is estimated that the world population will peak at around 9 billion by the middle of the century. Already, 1 billion people do not have enough to eat. According to a recent report from the Royal Society, food production needs to increase by 50-100% by 2050. food production needs to increase by 50-100 % by 2050. At the same time, agriculture is being placed under pressure from different directions. Changing climates, caused by rising CO2, are leading to more extreme weather events, increasing crop failures. Plants are also being looked to as a possible solution to climate change they are increasingly being grown to provide biofuels. In this context, plant sciences are more important now than ever before. This is also an area with a recognised skills shortage.

The MSc in Plant Sciences at The University of Manchester offers students the opportunity to contribute directly to the future. Key themes of Plant Science research in Manchester include increasing plant stress tolerance and developing novel ways to generate new crop varieties whilst exploring the wider roles of plants in our environment.

During the 12 month course, students spend the majority of their time working on two original research projects, gaining the practical laboratory skills required for biology-related careers in industry or academia. The degree is not only directed at students with a specialist backgrounds but is particularly suited to life scientists who wish to gain experience in plant based research, offering the possibility to work on a broad range of topics.

This is a research focused Masters course, you will spend the majority of your time working on two original research projects. We do not teach Plant Sciences using a traditional lecture-based format; instead we use an interactive approach where you learn through seminars, workshops, small group tutorials and during your research placements.

Careers

The MSc course in Plant Sciences at Manchester will provide core training in a combination of experimental approaches including the application of molecular biology and biochemical techniques to plant biology, and access to state of the art equipment. This will allow students to initially graduate with an intermediate postgraduate qualification with 'added value'. A proportion of students will proceed for a further three years of PhD work. The scientific knowledge gained by undertaking the MSc course will be at a level ideal for a subsequent research career or required by the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. We anticipate core knowledge gained through the MSc programme will be suitable for any further expansion of career opportunities resulting from any potential increases in plant biotechnology realised by employers, research companies and governments. Other potential career opportunities include joining Research Council funded institutes, the Food industry and Agrochemical companies.