Course overview
This course offers a unique opportunity to develop your understanding of agriculture: the production of crops and animals, the interactions between agriculture and the wider environment, and the business and marketing skills needed to manage agricultural systems in a sustainable and profitable way. The flexibility of the degree allows you to select from a range of applied subjects in years two and three, including agricultural economics and policy, management, soil science, applied animal science and applied crop science. Your research project may be undertaken on the University Farm.
Year one
In the first year, you will cover the principles of agricultural science, including genetics, plant and animal biology, reproductive physiology, metabolism, milk production, animal nutrition and the wider commercial applications of biology to agriculture and food production.
Years two and three
The flexibility of the degree allows you to select from a range of applied subjects, including agricultural economics and policy, management, soil science, applied animal science and applied crop science. You will learn about research techniques in preparation for your research project, which in turn allows you to participate in the research work of the School, often based around the University Farm.
In the second half of your degree programme, you can specialise in one of three streams:
A Animal production
B Business management
C Crop production
Alternatively, you can select subjects from across the A, B and C streams, or other subjects within the School of Biosciences. Animal production teaching covers small and large ruminants, non-ruminants and companion animals, and animal production. Business management incorporates rural business management, agricultural and food marketing and management consultancy. In crop production, you can study cereal and non-cereal field crops, genetic improvement of crops, world agro-ecosystems and current issues in crop science. Extensive use is made of data and resources from the University farm and other rural businesses.
More information about this course - please view our School pages
Entry requirements
A levels: ABB-BBC, including at least two science subjects at A level (which can include maths and/ or geography, economics, business studies), 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
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
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Applications of Biology
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Foundation Science
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Genetics and Cell Biology
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Whole Organism Biology
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Contemporary Agricultural Systems
Typical year-two modules
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Applied Crop Science
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Soil Science
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Economic Analysis for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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Resource Capture by Plants: from Cell to Community
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Research Techniques in Agriculture, Plant and Animal Science
Typical year-three modules
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Field Crops
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Cereals
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Current Issues in Crop Science
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Rural Business management
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Management Consultancy
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Animal Production Science 2
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Non-Ruminants and Companion Animals
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Animal Production Science 3: Cattle Production
Typical optional modules
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Principles of Ecology
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Food and Health
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Genetics, Ecology and Evolution
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Introduction to Nutrition
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Grassland Management
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Plant Science
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Climate Change Science
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Plant Biotechnology
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Practical Animal Physiology
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Communicating Biosciences
Skills and careers
Your understanding of the scientific principles of crop and animal production, together with your business management knowledge, will place you in a good position for your future career. You will have strong research skills and know how to communicate effectively and present your knowledge to a wider audience.
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.