MSc Global Plant Health at University of East Anglia UEA

Plant diseases have shaped human history. Controlling plant diseases is therefore important in the effort to realize a sustainable future for everyone and everything on this planet.  

This MSc, delivered by The Sainsbury Laboratory, will equip you to tackle this pressing problem. Diseases of plants cause significant crop losses worldwide. This is made worse by the frequent emergence of new diseases. The impact goes well beyond the quantity and quality of food. We need to manage existing diseases as effectively as possible and respond rapidly to new outbreaks. 

Many of the most effective solutions require a thorough understanding of the science underlying the interactions between plants and microbes, together with effective leadership and management. You will gain the high-level knowledge, insight and skills that will be sought after by all organisations involved in global plant health. 

ABOUT

This one-year MSc in Global Plant Health provides the strongest possible grounding for a career devoted to minimising crop losses. By enrolling for this MSc, you will understand what makes plant pathogens virulent, the basis of plant immunity, how the next discoveries are made through experimental and computational approaches, what makes global response strategies successful and how to lead such a response. Rooted in scientific research excellence, this course develops the skills most sought after by employers. These include complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, coordination with others, and judgment and decision making. 

This course is run by The Sainsbury Laboratory. It is an independent research institute that leads the world in molecular plant-microbe interactions. Its research covers a wide range of global diseases of crops. Its celebrated Group Leaders will share their vast experience with you. This course is associated with The School of Biological Sciences at UEA, with contributions from across the Norwich Research Park, including the John Innes Centre. You will therefore study in one of the world’s leading campuses in plant and microbial science. 

A key and innovative element of the course is a 15-week research project. This involves work in small groups to address a global plant disease outbreak with each student specialising in their chosen team role. This will provide invaluable experience for the next stage in your career by gaining familiarity with how to handle the response to an emerging plant pathogen - from diagnosis, understanding virulence mechanisms and developing novel control strategies, through to project management.