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BSc (Hons) Plant Sciences

University of Sheffield

Our three-year BSc Plant Sciences course will give you in-depth insight into fundamental plant biology, exploring photosynthesis, the genetics of disease resistance and the conservation of plant diversity. You’ll study these topics whilst considering the role of plants in solving global food and energy shortages, mitigating the effects of the climate crisis, and developing sustainable and green technologies.You'll cover two main themes at Sheffield: plant physiology - how plants harvest light energy, acquire nutrients from the soil and convert this to sustain growth, and plant ecology - how plants interact with each other and their non-living environment, from disease resistance to biodiversity.Our courses are designed for students who have a passion for understanding the role of plants in sustainability and the science and technology of food production. Sheffield is home to the Institute for Sustainable Food which brings together our expertise in this area in order to find dynamic solutions to the challenges of food security and sustainability. It’s research like this that you’ll be able to get involved in throughout your studies.Alongside your specialist plant science modules, from your first year you’ll have the freedom to study topics across the breadth of biology to complement your knowledge. Topics range from molecular genetics, developmental biology and biochemistry, to evolution, zoology and physiology. This flexibility allows you to study plant sciences in greater depth from a range of perspectives, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the biosciences. No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals, out in the Peak District conducting your own research projects, visiting zoos, aquariums and other scientific spots around the country and embarking on a once in a lifetime field course in the UK or abroad.Whether you choose to focus solely on plant sciences, or study a range of topics across the biosciences, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.Whether you want to pursue a career in science, apply your skills in industry, or continue your studies, Sheffield biosciences graduates are highly sought after due to their specialist laboratory and field skills, ability to solve problems, handle and analyse data, and effectively communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences.Our students secure roles with leading scientific organisations like GSK, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, and the Natural History Museum. Transferable skills are embedded and developed throughout our degrees, which means year on year many of our graduates join top 100 employers like the BBC, Deloitte, the Civil Service, and the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. You can also apply your degree to other varied careers including bioinformatics, marketing and science communication, teaching and science policy. Some students go on to further study.If you want to gain work experience as a recognised part of your degree, we have a Plant Sciences with Placement Year degree at both BSc and MBiolSci levels. You can test out a career path that you're considering between your second and third year - whether that's in the lab, the field, or applying your scientific knowledge and transferable skills in industry, and earn a salary while you're doing it.

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Requirements

Listed below are the documents required to apply for this course.