Plant and Soil Science, BSc at University of Aberdeen

Doing a Plant and Soil Science degree at the University of Aberdeen will provide you with both core and advanced understanding of this exciting subject area. The knowledge and skills that you gain could open up a world of career opportunities for you, for instance in playing a vital role in informing the debate on climate change and global food security.

The Plant and Soil Science degree provides many opportunities:

• Fundamental understanding of biology, how organisms work
• Specialist training in plant science, soil science and its applications
• Examining the interactions and interface
• Multi-disciplinary working
• Role of plants in the ecosystem
• Applications of plant biology
• Manipulating plant genomes relates to tolerance and pollutants
• Studying soils across agricultural systems

How You'll Study

Combine practice and theory

Typically, one third of your class time is practical and many courses include full-day practical classes and field visits. Most students take at least one residential field trip during their degree; these trips bring the subjects to life and provide the opportunity to make great friendships and get to know staff members.

Research experience

You are actively involved in scientific research throughout your degree. In Year 4, you conduct independent research which can be pivotal to your career choice whether it be in dolphins, water voles, rare plants, tropical forest ecology, climate change in the Arctic, or any one of a diverse range of other exciting topics!

Engaging and inspiring teaching

Our teaching methods are diverse, innovative and based on research on how students learn. For example, we use problem-based learning approaches, creative presentations, peer and self-assessment, presenting posters in public meetings, writing and editing wikis, writing grant proposals, science writing for publication, and the creation of portfolios using multi-media.

Opportunities for Study Abroad and work-related learning

You can take advantage of an optional year-out on a work placement in any of our degree programmes. Study Abroad is encouraged for students in their second year; we have established partnerships with institutions in the USA, Canada, Australia, China and numerous countries in Europe.

Learning Methods

• FIELD TRIPS
• FIELD WORK
• GROUP PROJECTS
• LAB WORK
• LECTURES
• RESEARCH
• TUTORIALS

Careers

Our Plant and Soil degree provides you with academic training and transferable skills relevant to both specialist employment and the wider biology graduate job market.

The University of Aberdeen can equip you with a broad range of skills to offer employers. We train students in scientific methodology in the laboratory and in the field. We also incorporate what we call 'graduate attributes' into the whole curriculum, including communication, critical thinking, teamwork, use of specialist IT and time management. Employers now expect a substantial list of skills, knowledge and experience in their graduate recruits and we aim to help you acquire these.