PLANT SCIENCE at Canterbury Christ Church University

Plant-based enterprises operate in a regulated environment and need well trained knowledgeable professionals with a knowledge of plant genetics and physiology, molecular genetics and biotechnology as well as plant pests and diseases.

You will gain knowledge of these areas and increase your practical skills, and you will be encouraged to broaden your experience by interacting with a range of employers, including biotech companies through the Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab, major local growers such as Thanet Earth, and advisory companies such as FAST Brogdale.

Our programme enables you to undertake further specialist training in order to meet your own individual career aspirations, including fruit-industry based training programmes.

You will explore areas including:

• plant physiology and development
• genetics of plant breeding
• plant pests and pathogens.

Why Plant Science?

Recent reports from the UK government and independent scientific bodies have highlighted a chronic national shortage of graduates with knowledge and skills in the area of plant science; especially soil science, plant pathology and plant physiology: all aspects covered in this course. The shortage of knowledgeable graduates and a resurgence in the horticultural industry and modern high-tech “sustainable” growing techniques provides a range of exciting employment opportunities for highly motivated individuals.

This course aims to develop students into highly employable knowledgeable professionals that possess a wide range of scientific and transferable skills. To produce professional Plant Scientists, the course aims to develop competencies in the areas of taxonomy and classification, plant genetics and evolution, plant physiology and how this is influenced by the environment, and plant responses to external stimuli. These competencies are built on a firm foundation of an understanding on cell biology and the development of critical analysis skills.

What will i study?

At level 4 study subjects including biochemistry, classification, evolution, genetics, soils and plant nutrition and microbiology that provide a firm grounding in scientific knowledge and laboratory skills. In addition, you develop analytical skills and a knowledge of statistics.

At level 5, you deepen your knowledge of statistics, experimental analysis, and your knowledge of molecular biology. Students study plant genetics, physiology, and plant diseases, and have the option to study aspects of chemistry or plant ecology. The optional plant ecology module contains a 5-day field trip.

At level 6, you demonstrate your scientific competence and independence by devising and undertaking a piece of novel research which you present as a professional fully referenced scientific paper and in the form of an oral presentation of a poster. You also develop skills in bioinformatics, and further your development of plant physiology and plant interactions with microbes. Options permit you to develop a deeper understanding of bioinformatics or plant genetics.

What can i do next?

The programme allows graduates not only to enter a wide variety of career pathways, but also for those who wish to enter postgraduate study at masters or PhD level. The programme also forms a solid platform of knowledge permitting graduates to undertake subject specific training in areas such as plant breeding, plant production and advisory roles.