BSc Plant Sciences

Institution University of Sheffield
Method At the institution
Location Sheffield
Type Undergraduate
Course fee By request

+ Information by E-mail

BSc Plant Sciences

Objectives Plants are integral to life on earth. They influence the climate, provide our food and energy, and have shaped evolution. Plant Science covers all aspects of plant biology, and addresses questions such as: - How will we provide enough food to feed the world's population? - Can plants provide a renewable energy source to replace oil? - How will ecosystems respond to climate change? - What role can plant biotechnology play in solving these problems? We offer our Plant Science course as a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a four-year Masters in Biological Sciences (MBiolSci). This Plant Science BSc degree covers the full spectrum of topics in plant biology, from the molecular to the whole planet, providing an understanding of how plants function and how they influence our lives. Understanding the process of photosynthesis lies at the heart of plant biology, and from it you will develop insights into how plants evolved, their distribution and conservation, their role in world ecosystems, their interactions with other organisms and their potential to provide pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial products. You will participate in the exciting ongoing developments in plant sciences and learn an excellent range of modern biological skills and knowledge. The course is taught by experts on a wide range of plants and plant communities who study a range of topics including molecular biology, disease, global climate change, photosynthesis, and pollution impacts on plant communities. The Department of Animal & Plant Sciences is a leading and internationally recognised centre of excellence in teaching and research in plant sciences. Our state-of-the-art facilities include a major set of growth chambers capable of simulating any terrestrial climate, current or historical. Our teaching is linked to our research expertise, a key element being training in methods, techniques and core skills of observation, testing of ideas, data collection, analysis and critical interpretation that are central to scientific investigation. This training provides excellent preparation for level three project work where students apply these skills to their own research, under the guidance of an experienced researcher. During the first two years of the course, some unrestricted modules may be selected from those run by the other two biology departments (Molecular Biology & Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences; may require AS Chemistry), providing opportunities to gain access to an exceptional breadth of expertise in most of the major areas of modern biology, including genetics and biochemistry. The Times Good University Guide consistently ranks us in the top six for whole organism biology. In the 2006 National Students Satisfaction Survey, courses in bioscience at Sheffield are ranked joint fourth out of 58 UK universities for overall student satisfaction with teaching quality.
Entry requirements Entry requirements GCE/VCE A Levels - ABB BTEC National Diploma - 3 Distinctions + interview Two GCE A Levels plus two GCE AS Levels - BB+BB Scottish Highers - AAABB Irish Leaving Cert. - ABBBB International Baccalaureate - 33 points Core Requirements - Grade B in GCE A Level Biology plus another A Level science subject (can include Psychology or Geography). A Level and AS Level Chemistry are not essential.
Academic title BSc Plant Sciences
Course description Our students usually select from a range of compulsory and optional modules to add up to 120 credits.

Some departments offer courses that don't feature optional modules whereas other courses are fully flexible.

Important notice :
This is a list of modules that have been offered in the past. We expect similar modules to be offered for courses starting in 2009.

This information is provided for illustration only and you should check with the department directly when applying to confirm module options.

Typical First Year Modules

Module/Unit Credits
Biodiversity 10

Comparative Physiology 10

Ecosystems and Environmental Change 10

Evolution 10

Genes in Populations 10

Introduction to Cell Biology 10

Principles of Molecular Biology 10

Reproduction, Development and Growth 10

Information Technology Skills in Biology 5

Laboratory Skills in Biology 1 5

Laboratory Skills in Biology 2 5

Tutorials (Biology) 5

Typical Second Year Modules

Module/Unit Credits
Animal and Plant Science Tutorials 10

Data Analysis 10

Plant Habitat and Distribution 10

Plant Population and Community Ecology 10

Plant, Cell and Environment 10

Environmental Biology 5

Arctic Ecosystems Field Course 10

Biodiversity 10

Biotechnology and Food 10

Freshwater Ecology 10

Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics 10

Palaeobiology 10

Wetland Ecosystem Field Course 10

World Ecosystems 10

Biology Projects 5

Wildlife Forensics 5

Typical Third Year Modules

Module/Unit Credits
Project 20

Biology Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme 20

Dissertation 20

Animal Ecology and Behaviour Field Course 10

Behaviour Ecology Field Course 10

Biology and Ethics 10

Conservation and Management 10

Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology 10

Environmental Regulation in Plants 10

Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems 10

Global Change 10

History and Philosophy of Science 10

Issues in Conservation Biology 10

Life in Extreme Environments 10

Parasitism 10

Plant Biotechnology 10

Soil Plant Relationships 10

Trends in Biology 10

Tropical Rain Forest: Biology Field Course 10