BSc Plant Sciences

Comments about BSc Plant Sciences - At the institution - Sheffield - South Yorkshire

• 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

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