Agricultural and Crop Science BSc

Course overview

How can we produce more crops more efficiently – and with fewer resources?

It’s a big and very topical question, when environmental constraints and growing demand for food and bioenergy are generating higher food prices and greater price instability.

You will learn about the science and production of crops, from the genetic and cellular level to the field and farm level. The course takes an applied approach, emphasising how scientific principles can be applied in practice on the farm. Some modules are based at the University Farm,including the Crop Challenge, where students grow,manage and market their own crop of wheat.

Opportunities for research and employment in cropsciences are growing. Current research at Nottinghamincludes work on control of cereal disease, increasing nitrogen and water-use efficiency and research of worldwide importance to increase production of staple crops such as wheat and rice.

Year one

You will learn about the science that underpins crop growth and development and have the opportunity to take specialist modules such as Grassland Management, Applied Entomology and Contemporary Agricultural Systems.

Year two

You will focus on more practical aspects such as Applied Crop Science, World Agroecosystems, Economic Analysis for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Crop Management Challenge (grow your own crop of wheat!). You will also start your research project in year two. This allows students who wish to study a field crop, such as wheat or oilseed rape, a full growing season for their research.

Year three

You will undertake your Research Project and also study from a wide selection of optional modules, such as Molecular Plant Pathology, Field Crops, Management Consultancy and Current Issues in Crop Science.

More information about this course - please visit our School pages

Entry requirements

A levels: ABB-BBC, at least two science subjects at A level (which can include maths and/or geography), and an additional A level or equivalent. 

 

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 87 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking)

Alernative qualifications 

For details please see alternative qualifications page

Foundation year - a foundation year is available for this course

Notes for applicants 

Our modular courses are flexible and offer the opportunity to combine your main studies with modules in other subject areas (please note that all modules are subject to change).

Scholarships - for details of scholarships, please see www.nottingham.ac.uk/biosciences

Read about our exciting new sponsorship by KWS UK worth £20,000 for a student on this course!

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Typical year-one modules

• Applications of Biology
• Genetics and Cell Biology
• Whole Organism Biology
• Contemporary Agricultural Systems

Typical year-two modules

• Applied Crop Science
• Soil Science
• Research Techniques in Agriculture, Plant and Animal Science
• Economic Analysis for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Crop Management Challenge

Typical year-three modules

• Research Project in Agriculture 2
• Field Crops Cereals
• Field Crops

Typical optional modules

• Principles of Ecology
• Global Environmental Processes
• Grassland Management
• Agricultural and Food Marketing
• Molecular Pharming: assessing the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Climate Change Science
• Plant Biotechnology
• Rural Business Management
• Current Issues in Crop Science
• Soil and Water Science 

Skills and careers

Graduates in Agricultural and Crop Science from Nottingham have excellent prospects for finding challenging and well-paid jobs. Our students are highly- and actively- sought after by a wide range of employers who value the strong academic foundation and transferable skills that students gain during their degree here.

Areas where our agricultural science graduates are working include:

• Agronomy

• Horticultural crop production

• Produce marketing

• Agrochemical sales

• Journalism

• Plant breeding

• Research posts in further education or private institutions

Average starting salary 

The average starting salary for 2009/10 full time graduates of the School of Biosciences was £19,256.09.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2009/10.