c211 - Applied Plant Science BSc
Applied Plant Science BSc Honours
UCAS Code: C211 (full time: 3 Years)
Course Overview
As well as giving a sound background in biology, this programme focuses on how plant species interact, both physiologically and ecologically, with each other, as well as with animal species and their environment.
At a Glance
UCAS Code
C211
UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21
Degree Awarded
BSc Honours
Course Duration
3 Years
Entry Requirements
A Level: AAB-ABB
IB: 32-35 points
Opportunities
Political and environmental influences are impacting the types and uses of plants in food production and eco-systems management. Limitations on the use of synthetic herbicides and growth pattern regulators are changing the management strategies available.
Graduates of this applied agri-biological degree will be well placed for a wide range of careers in this vital and developing sector; including plant genetics, bio-chemical research, and agronomy.
On this degree you can select options with a cellular and molecular emphasis underpinning fundamental understanding of plant physiology. You may take optional modules dealing with a range of applied or associated topics to provide you with the knowledge and insights needed for example to manage crops;
- in agricultural systems
- conservation grassland
- woodlands, or
- to develop new approaches and products to control pests and diseases.
You will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement to develop your work based skills, usually taken in research or in the plant science sector.
Practical skills development
You’ll develop skills applicable to the development of crop technology, novel plant protection strategies and breeding new varieties of crop.
Projects, field work and laboratory investigation are a significant part of this degree.
You will also undertake a dissertation. This involves an in-depth investigation of an aspect of plant science of your choice.
Cutting edge studies
You have the chance to gain real-world research experience through project work with prominent plant biology research groups at Newcastle University. Subject areas of study include:
- Agronomy & Crop Improvement
- Field Identification Skills
- Molecular biology and development
- Applied Crop Protection
- Plant Pathology
- Precision Agriculture
Boost your employability with a work placement
Apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability.
Find out more about Work Placements.
Study abroad
You may choose to study abroad for a year between Stages 2 and 3 of your degree. Alternatively you can study at an international university for one or two semesters.
Industry visits
Your involvement with industry will begin through a variety of study visits, starting in your first year. The University has excellent links with biological and agricultural businesses throughout the region, including two university farms, glasshouses, growth rooms and many commercial producers.
The companies you will visit represent each part of the plant breeding and production chain, giving you a vital overview of the whole sector.
Support
To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. This enables you to download the online learning resources you'll need for your course and helps us to make our campus more sustainable.
Modules for 2019 entry
Please note
The module and/or programme information below is for 2019 entry. Our teaching is informed by research and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers of students interested (in an optional module). To find out more read our terms and conditions.
Module/programme information for 2020 entry will be published here as soon as it is available (end of May 2020).
Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Further information, including the credit value of the module, is available in each of the module descriptions below.
Stage 1
Compulsory modules
- ACE1008 Environment and Land Resources
- ACE1022 Crop Pests
- ACE1040 Academic and Professional Skills
- ACE1041 Investigating Agri-food Systems From Farm to Folk
- BIO1020 Genetics and Evolution
- BIO1022 Ecology and Conservation
You shall select optional modules to the value of 20 credits from the following list:
- ACE1046 Plants, Environment and Agriculture
- ACE1055 Introduction to Agricultural Mechanisation
- BIO1021 Diversity of Life: Function and form
- BIO1023 Cells and Biomolecules
Stage 2
Compulsory modules
- ACE2024 Principles of Agronomy and Crop Improvement
- ACE2063 Managing Soils in Agricultural Systems
- ACE2066 Academic and Professional Skills 2
- BIO2004 Plant Biology 2
- BIO2022 Molecular Biology and Development
- BIO2030 Methods in Biotechnology, Principles, Theory and Practice
* BIO2003 takes place in the period between the end of the Stage 1 examinations and the start of Stage 2.
Optional modules
You take 30 credits from the following list:
- ACE2018 Arable Crops
- BIO2006 Entomology
- BIO2017 Microbiology 2
- BIO2018 Pollution of Air, Water and Soil 1
- BIO2023 Cellular Biochemistry
- BIO2028 Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation
Work Placement (optional)
You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional work placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply to spend your placement year with any organisation and will receive University support to do so. It will extend your degree by a year and is subject to availability. Find out more about Work Placements.
If you choose this option you will take the following compulsory module:
Stage 3
Compulsory modules
- ACE3034 Applied Crop Protection
- ACE3037 Crop Pests Field Course*
- ACE3905 Research Project and Dissertation
- BIO3043 Plant Biology 3
* ACE3037 will take place at the end of the Semester 2 assessment period in Stage 2.
Optional modules
You choose 50 credits from the following modules:
All candidates are considered on an individual basis.
If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.
The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
What our graduates go on to do: employment and further study choices
See what our recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation. Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates.
The destination data is available in varying levels, beginning with the University and moving through Faculty and School down to individual course reports. This final level may give you some useful ideas about possible options after your course or a course you are considering.
Careers and employability at Newcastle
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.
96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.
85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment or further study within six months of graduating.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+. This enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Applying to Newcastle University through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS codes for Newcastle University
- institution name - NEWC
- institution code - N21
UCAS buzzword
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All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU and international establishments are registered with UCAS.
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Making your application
On the UCAS website you can also find out more about:
- application deadlines and other important dates
- offers and tracking your application
Application decisions and enquiries
Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.