Masters degrees in Agricultural Botany provide advanced study of topics in crop cultivation, through analysis of a plant’s physiological properties and ecology, sustainability, and wider economic importance.
Specialisms include topics such as Plant Breeding, Plant Science and Horticulture. Entry requirements will normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Science.
Students studying at Writtle University College will have access to the Postharvest Unit which undertakes research and trials in conjunction with commercial companies.
This provides the opportunity to study a range of crops and investigate at an advanced level the techniques used for postharvest handling and the underlying mechanisms which determine and limit these techniques.
Students will also examine crop growing using resources at the University and through visits to growers, so they develop an understanding of the supply chain from the field through to sale. Together with visiting speakers from industry, this develops students' awareness of the latest trends and research in industry. The teaching staff have developed close links with industry on a worldwide basis and research and consultancy work is used to underpin the curriculum.
On successful completion of the course graduates possess the knowledge and skills to gain employment with major wholesale, retail and import/export organisations where produce quality is paramount, and where supply objectives are on a global scale.
There are also opportunities to undertake further research.
Students studying at Writtle University College will have access to the Research glasshouse, farms and the postharvest unit which undertakes research and trials in conjunction with commercial companies.
This provides the opportunity to study a range of crops relevant to the chosen area of horticulture or agriculture.
Students will examine crop growing using resources at the University and through visits to growers and post harvest facilities; they will develop an understanding of the supply chain from the field through to sale. Together with visiting speakers from industry, this develops students’ awareness of the latest trends and research in industry.
The teaching staff have developed close links with industry on a worldwide basis and the research and consultancy work is used to underpin the curriculum.
On successful completion of the course graduates possess the knowledge to gain employment with crop producers and in management positions with major import/export organisations.
There are also opportunities to undertake further research.
Students studying at Writtle University College will have access to the Research glasshouse, farms and the postharvest unit which undertakes research and trials in conjunction with commercial companies.
Students will examine crop growing using resources at the University and through visits to growers and post harvest facilities; they will develop an understanding of the supply chain from the field through to sale. Together with visiting speakers from industry, this develops students' awareness of the latest trends and research in industry.
The teaching staff have developed close links with industry on a worldwide basis and the research and consultancy work is used to underpin the curriculum.
On successful completion of the course graduates will posses the knowledge and skills to gain employment in management positions with major import/export organisations, with crop producers and horticultural enterprises.
There are also opportunities to undertake further research.
Harper Adams is the UK’s only provider of a postgraduate course in plant pathology. There is currently a shortage of expertise in this important topic, which is a key element in the effort to ensure global food security and mitigating the effects of climate change. By successfully completing this course you will develop a range of abilities that will prepare for an interesting and fulfilling career in an area with considerable opportunities.
Although food production has tripled in the last 40 years, approximately 1 billion people still go hungry, with an average of 30 per cent of all available food being wasted during production, processing and distribution. Crop losses through plant disease either pre- or post-harvest are an important component of these losses.
The aim of the course is to provide students with specialized training in plant pathology.
The course will:
The course is intended to provide a detailed understanding of basic and applied plant pathology and the issues associated with current production systems and control strategies. The course is underpinned by an extensive programme of agri-environment research at Harper Adams and longstanding collaborations with research institutes and other organisations in the UK and overseas.
Having completed the taught part of MSc you will be able to identify pathogens using both traditional methods and molecular techniques. The course will focus on producing integrated management solutions that meet the requirements of sustainable crop production. Students also learn how to disseminate issues and ideas relating to plant disease control to a range of audiences using various methods of communication.
The research project for the MSc will allow you to test hypotheses relevant to pure and applied plant pathology research by designing, carrying out, analysing and interpreting experiments. You will also learn to evaluate and interpret data and draw relevant conclusions from existing plant pathology studies.
The MSc covers a broad range of topics in plant pathology and all students receive training in fundamental skills which will enable them to enter a plant pathology work environment within either a commercial company, research institute or academia.
The full-time and two year part-time courses are eligible for a postgraduate loan.
British Society of Plant Pathology
Plant Breeding plays an important role in the development of plant varieties for food, feed and industrial uses. New varieties have to meet current demands regarding yield, disease resistance, quality characteristics, salt or drought tolerance and suitability for sustainable plant production systems. Plant Breeding involves a variety of aspects, ranging from the molecular level to the population level and requires knowledge on the physiology, ecology and genetics of cultivated plants.
The use of various molecular techniques contributes enormously to the rapid identification of genes for natural resistance and is essential for accelerating the selection process by marker-assisted breeding.
This online master's specialisation is designed as a part-time study. The approximate workload is 20 hours per week and gives the student the flexibility to combine work and study. The programme is therefore also suitable for employees who want to continue their education in the sense of life-long-learning.
The general structure is a 2 year part time course-programme followed by a tailor-made internship and master's thesis agreement of 1 or 2 years. Read more about the programme.
Graduates from the master's Plant Sciences have excellent career prospects and most of them receive job offers before graduation. They are university trained professionals who are able to contribute to the sustainable development of plant production at various integration levels based on their knowledge of fundamental and applied plant sciences and their interdisciplinary approach.
Graduates with a research focus are employed at universities, research institutes and plant breeding or agribusiness companies. Other job opportunities are in management, policy, consultancy and communication in agribusiness and (non-) governmental organisations. Read more stories of Wageningen University & Research graduates.
Related on-campus programmes:
MSc Forest and Nature Conservation
This Master's offers a broad, research-led syllabus that will benefit life and plant science undergraduates, and professionals in commercial horticulture and agriculture from the UK and overseas looking to develop their career.
Taught content will equip the graduate with the expertise needed to work independently in a range of areas of current commercial plant science, at supervisory or management level, or in applied research. As well as ensuring a thorough grounding in basic science and horticultural technology, the modern molecular biology content is particularly relevant, since new technologies are rapidly entering the commercial arena. The independent research project will be set in a research institution or appropriate local industry, and will be designed around the student's interests and expertise.
The MSc focuses on methods used in the evaluation and improvement of conventional crops that feed the growing world population, but also alternative protected crops and ornamentals along with postharvest management, business and environmental concerns, and plant stress and disease in a changing climate.
The programme team is a combination of scientists working within the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), a unique multidisciplinary centre of excellence focused on global food security, sustainable development and poverty reduction, and the Department of Life and Sports Sciences, both part of the university's Faculty of Engineering and Science. Both have reputations founded on excellence in teaching, training and research. You will also benefit from our links with businesses in the South East and other centres of expertise including Hadlow College and East Malling Research.
Experts in this increasingly important area are needed in businesses nationally and internationally, in research and innovation, and at government and agency level where the ability to understand and follow current developments is required to guide and direct global sustainable solutions to population change.
Courses can be studied individually as CPD and credits acquired this way can be accumulated towards the MSc over 24 or 36 months towards the full MSc if required. Please contact the programme leaders for information.
The aims of the programme are to:
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 45 credits from this list of options.
Students are required to choose 15 credits from this list of options.
Year 1
Students are required to choose 90 credits from this list of options.
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
Assessment methods include:
Production managers - management of plant/crop production (protected and non-protected crops) and postharvest facilities.
Development specialists - selection, development and evaluation of existing and novel plants and crops.
Retailing produce - food and crop technologists, retailing food and non-food derived crops and products, including fresh produce and postharvest technologists.
Institutes, NGOs and governmental bodies - governance and policy linked to application of horticultural/agricultural technologies.
Applied research scientist - application of plant science into practice.
Molecular biology laboratories, horticultural and agricultural facilities
Commodities produced in forested landscapes such as timber, palm-oil, shea-butter, cocoa, and coffee go through a complex series of stakeholders and channels before making their way to domestic and international markets. Stakeholders within these forest commodity chains have to work with ever changing consumer demands, market and certification regulations, technological advancements, and an increasing number of national and international laws and regulations.
Forest Chain Management specialists are equipped with the competences needed to examine each actor in the chain (including producers, smallholders, suppliers, processors, traders, retailers and consumers) and analyse the different stages from harvest to processing and consumption [from forest to floor] from various perspectives, including sustainability. They will thus enhance their ability to manage, facilitate and innovate these forest value chains.
Upon graduating, you will be able to:
• analyse rural livelihoods and food and nutrition security
• analyse the livelihoods of farmers who produce for local and regional markets and understand their coping strategies
• define the economic, commercial and marketing needs, constraints and opportunities for small-scale producers in rural communities
• develop appropriate strategies and interventions for local food security
• develop support programmes for farmers, producers and other stakeholders
Rural Development and Food Security specialists explore effective responses to mal- and undernourishment, by defining needs, constraints, coping strategies and opportunities for small-scale producers in rural communities. In selecting appropriate context-specific interventions, which reflect understanding of the local context in its wider context, they consider stakeholder relationships and how collaboration could be organised to each stakeholder’s benefit while helping farmers to safeguard their ability to ensure local food security. In the face of globalisation, slow economic growth and political instability, specialists may design and implement responses for (non-)governmental organisations or partners in the private sector, in the form of projects, programmes, market structures or policies.
Our Master programmes are eligible for the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP), formerly the Netherlands Fellowship Programme. The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) is targeted at professionals from selected developing countries who, after their studies in the Netherlands, will be able to further develop and strengthen the organisations at which they work.
The Rome Business School’s Master in Agribusiness Management is the ideal academic course for professionals seeking a world-class degree programme in these disciplines, leading to a successful global career in the agro network field (production, seed and crop, harvest and stock in agriculture, market of commodities, food supply chain, food and wine business).
With the Rome Business School’s international perspective, the programme offers a unique learning experience and a global professional exposure, enabling participants to study in one of the best cities of the world or online. The programme’s quality teaching and networking services all contribute to make it the perfect fit for anyone who is looking to rise to the top in the world of farming, food production, or in the start-up agribusiness system.
In particular, on completing the programme, participants will be able to:
- Understand the characteristics and trends of the agri-food market and the role played by the farmers, industrialists, and their representatives in the organizations.
- Recognize the intersection of agribusiness with other areas of economic and social concern, such as economic development and new ways of production and business diversification (organic farming, biofuel, biogas, circular economy, etc…).
- Identify and manage the characteristics of the main food businesses and develop effective managerial strategies.
- Develop a comprehensive business plan for agri-food corporations.
- Utilize the most advanced marketing techniques to promote businesses and organizations.
- Manage the financial dimensions related to agricultural activities.
- Understand and utilize project management techniques for agricultural businesses.
- Manage the agri-food supply chain.
- Learn about the start-up ecosystem related to agribusiness.
- Master the use of new technologies within farmer or industrialist organizations and the most advanced production tools and channel.
- Learn about the international organizations operating in the agribusiness sector and the international policies and support linked to this economic sector.
- Meet farmers or food producers that changed their companies by taking new and radical approaches.
The Rome Business School’s Master’s Degree in Agribusiness Management is structured in:
- 6 months of Lectures + Additional Activities
- 6 months of project work
- Company visits
Students studying at Writtle University College will have access to the Research glasshouse, farms and the postharvest unit which undertakes research and trials in conjunction with commercial companies.
This provides the opportunity to study a range of crops relevant to the chosen area of horticulture or agriculture.
Students will examine crop growing using resources at the University and through visits to growers and post harvest facilities; they will develop an understanding of the supply chain from the field through to sale. Together with visiting speakers from industry, this develops students’ awareness of the latest trends and research in industry.
The teaching staff have developed close links with industry on a worldwide basis and the research and consultancy work is used to underpin the curriculum.
On successful completion of the course graduates possess the knowledge to gain employment with crop producers and in management positions with major import/export organisations.
There are also opportunities to undertake further research.
Get paid to do a Masters with the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation at Lancaster University, The Sunday Times University of the Year 2018, and Agronomy Research Group.
One year enterprise-led funded Masters by Research: Ref.No. 87
· Get paid £15,000 tax-free
· Have your tuition fees reduced. Your partner company pays £2,000 towards your fees, meaning UK/EU students pay £2,260, and International students pay £15,945.
· Be part of the multi award winning Centre for Global Eco-Innovation with a cohort of 50 talented graduates working on exciting business-led R&D.
· The Centre is based at Lancaster University, so you will gain your Masters from a Top Ten University, recognised as The Sunday Times University of the Year 2018.
· Finish in a strong position to enter a competitive job market in the UK and overseas.
The lack of available irrigation water for the maintenance of turf grass and ornamental areas is a major limiting factor in both temperate and arid world regions. This project aims to work out the principal modes of action of water conservation treatments for amenity situations. The successful applicant will work with the company to develop a formulation capable of generating positive effects on crop growth in water-limited environments.
The project will be of interest to a researcher interested in developing innovative water conservation treatments and applying solutions to the practical situation and will involve both laboratory and field based testing.
Applicants should have a degree in plant science or soil science or a related discipline. Driving licence is an advantage.
This Masters by Research is a collaborative research project between Lancaster University with supervision by Dr Carly Stevens and Dr Shane Rothwell and Agronomy Research Group.
Agronomy Research Group offers advisory and consultancy services to the agricultural, horticultural and amenity industries. Our key objective is to develop innovative methods of water conservation for the horticulture and amenity industries. We also aim to use smartphone technology to facilitate the effective use of water conservation treatments on site in remote locations where traditional agronomy services are unavailable.
Apply Here
To apply for this opportunity please email [email protected] with:
· A CV (2 pages maximum)
· Application Criteria Document
This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is subject to confirmation of funding. For further information about the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, please see our website.
Deadline: Sunday 17th June 2018
