Plant Biology BSc (Hons)

Plants provide an essential foundation for life on earth and have a crucial role to play in solving some of the most serious problems facing the human race, such as food shortages and rising carbon emissions. Never before has there been such urgency to train a new generation of plant biologists who can develop future technologies and approaches to respond to these challenges. **Aberystwyth is a great place to be a Plant Biologist for the following reasons:** - Passionate teaching staff that are ... READ MORE

Plants provide an essential foundation for life on earth and have a crucial role to play in solving some of the most serious problems facing the human race, such as food shortages and rising carbon emissions. Never before has there been such urgency to train a new generation of plant biologists who can develop future technologies and approaches to respond to these challenges. **Aberystwyth is a great place to be a Plant Biologist for the following reasons:** - Passionate teaching staff that are also world-leading researchers;- World class facilities for plant biology teaching and research, including a botanical garden with tropical glasshouse, modern laboratories, a microscopy suite, historic botanical specimen collection, and the National Plant Phenomics Centre; - Local access to a wide range of flora, and sites that are of international importance;- Direct links to industry, with companies on campus, international company links, and a soon-to-be-built innovation campus that will house even more plant-focused companies.Your first year will provide a broad grounding in biology, and training in the skills needed to succeed in your studies. Subject areas covered will include Plant Physiology, Plant Genetics, Plant Cell Biology, The Biosphere, Understanding how Ecosystems work and Soil Biology.In your second year you will engage in Plant-based modules offering the following areas: Climate change impacts on Plants, Plant ID and Ecological Surveying (UK and Abroad), Agronomy and Crop Improvement, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics and Aquatic Plants.In your third year, subject areas offered include Applied Plant Science (Forage Grass Breeding, Energy Crops, Biotechnology), Plant Pathogens, Plant ID and Ecological Surveying (UK and abroad), Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Crop and Grassland Production and Agricultural and Environmental Systems. The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals. Employability is embedded in our teaching. Our students leave Aberystwyth University with the skills including: research and data analysis skills; enhanced mathematical and computational skills; effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills; a thorough grounding in information technology skills; the ability to work independently; time-management and organisational skills- including the ability to meet deadlines; the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form; self-motivation and self-reliance and team-working- with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.**Our graduates have engaged in careers in the following areas:**Horticultural / Agricultural production; Habitat surveying of habitats and Conservation; Education and public engagement; Plant Breeding; Plant Biotechnology; Consultancy; Plant research –graduate position, PhD research.**Following graduation our students are ideally positioned to target employment with the following organisations:**NIAB; The Environment Agency; Natural Resources Wales; National Trust; National Parks; Botanic Gardens (e.g. Kew, NBGW); The Forestry Commission; Plant breeding companies; Biotechnology companies and Agri-Food organisations.