Plant Sciences, MBiolSci

This course is designed to give you the best start for a career in industrial or academic research. You'll develop an in-depth understanding of fundamental plant biology, exploring photosynthesis, the genetics of disease resistance and the conservation of plant diversity. You’ll study these topics while considering how we can harness plant technology to solve global food and energy shortages, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and develop sustainable and green technologies.The first three years of your course have the same structure as the BSc, with the fourth year devoted to a major research project in the field or in the lab, where you’ll work alongside our world-leading academics.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

• plant ecology - how plants interact with each other and their non-living environment, and disease resistance and 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 great depth from a range of perspectives, broaden your interests or even switch to another biosciences degree.No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the 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 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.If you want to study this course but don't meet the entry requirements our Biosciences with a Foundation Year could be for you. After successfully completing the one year programme, you'll progress onto the first year of one of our bioscience degrees.