Sustainable Agriculture MSc

Program Overview

The MSc in Sustainable Agriculture at Aberystwyth University equips students with the skills to address challenges in the agricultural sector. The flexible, online program allows students to tailor their studies with optional modules in areas such as genetics, livestock nutrition, and grassland systems. Through its extensive research facilities and expert teaching, Aberystwyth University provides a comprehensive learning experience.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc in Sustainable Agriculture at Aberystwyth University is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the challenges facing the 21st-century agricultural sector, particularly within the extensive pasture-based production sector. The program focuses on increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact within this sector.

Key Objectives:

• Provide flexible and accessible postgraduate-level training for individuals working in the agri-food sector.
• Offer a highly vocational option taught by experts from Aberystwyth University (AU) and Bangor University (BU).
• Allow students to tailor their studies through a wide range of optional modules, catering to individual needs and interests.
• Leverage Aberystwyth University's extensive farmland and research facilities, including a 400-cow dairy unit, upland and lowland sheep and beef units, and a flock of layer hens.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• The program is delivered entirely online, allowing students to study at their own pace and convenience.
• Students can choose to take modules for their own professional development or to build towards a postgraduate qualification.
• A full MSc requires completion of five optional modules, the core "Research Methods" module, and a dissertation.
• The program can be completed in 2 to 5 years.

Course Schedule:

• Modules are offered in May, September, and January start dates.
• The program is structured around 14-week modules.

Individual Modules:

Core Modules:

• Research Methods (BDM0120): This 20-credit module prepares students for independent research.
• Dissertation (BDM3560): This 60-credit module requires students to conduct and write a research dissertation.

Optional Modules:

• Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs (BDM8320): 20 credits
• Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture (BDM5820): 20 credits
• Grassland Systems (BDM5120): 20 credits
• Livestock Health and Welfare (BDM5920): 20 credits
• Livestock Nutrition (BDM0320): 20 credits
• Livestock Production Science (BDM5420): 20 credits
• Nuffield Scholarship Project (New Awards) (BDM1740): 40 credits
• Nuffield Scholarship Project (Post-Completion) (BDM1840): 40 credits
• Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production (BDM7520): 20 credits
• Plant Breeding (BDM8420): 20 credits
• Assessment is based on coursework, including reports, essays, literature reviews, case studies, business plans, data analysis tasks, presentations, and forum discussions.

Teaching:

• The program is delivered entirely online.
• Learning materials include recorded lectures, presentations, podcasts, e-group projects, guided readings, interactive workbooks, discussion forums, assignments, and e-tutorials.
• Students have access to e-journals and library resources for the full five years of the program.

Other:

• The program is available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh.
• Aberystwyth University has a 1000 ha of farmland, a 400 cow dairy unit, upland and lowland sheep and beef units, and a flock of layer hens.
• Livestock-related research at Aberystwyth University was worth over £20 million in the last five years.
• A three-year version of the course (D413D3) is available for those in receipt of a student loan.