Why study Plant Biology with integrated year in industry at Aberystwyth?

• A syllabus that includes an integrated year in industry in addition to identical content from the three-year sister course BSc Plant Biology (C200).

• The option to take on paid or voluntary work.

• You will be provided with guidance and advice from our Director for Employability on how you will find relevant work for a period of up to twelve months.

• The option of transferring to three year BSc Plant Biology C200 course if you do not find an opportunity that suits you.

• During your year in work experience, you will pay a discounted tuition fee of which the information can be found here 

• Receive expert training in field and laboratory skills taught by world-leading experts in the field.

• Flourish and develop your skills in our modern teaching and research facilities.

• All students have access to the Biological Service Unit, Mass Spectrometry, Analytical Unit, Modelling laboratory, the Computational Biological laboratory, Advanced Microscopy and Bio-imaging Laboratory.

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry.  The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Students can engage in careers in the following areas:

• Horticultural / Agricultural production

• Habitat surveying and Conservation

• Education and public engagement

• Plant Breeding

• Plant Biotechnology

• Consultancy

• Plant research –graduate positions

• Ph.D. research 

Your year in industry:

Make no mistake, you will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject.

 Completing a year in industry will allow you to:

• Apply the learning from your course to the work environment;
• Make industry contacts;
• Develop practical skills related to your area of study;
• Apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study;
• Enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.

Students on this scheme should note that the department institute does not have automatic placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for finding securing the work experience, however, you will have the assistance of our institute Work Experience Coordinator and our dedicated careers advisor (James Cuffe, jpc11@aber.ac.uk). If you fail to find work experience you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of your subject.

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

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

• 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

• Aquatic Plants

In your third year you will undertake your work experience in an industry that relates to your degree in Plant Biology. If you are unable to obtain work experience, then you will simply transfer to the sister course BSc Plant Biology C200.

In your final 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

• Agricultural and Environmental Systems

How will I be taught?

The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals. Assessment will through:

• Practical exercises

• Essays

• Oral presentations

• Online quizzes

• Worksheets

• Reports

• Statistical exercises

• Dossiers

• Posters

• Portfolios

• Wikis

• Reflective diaries

• Literature reviews

• Magazine articles

• Field notebooks

• Exams