Smart Agriculture MRes / MSc

Program Overview

The program offers modules on vertical farming systems, intelligent technologies, crop sciences, and research methods, culminating in a research project. Graduates are equipped to contribute to the development of sustainable food systems and pursue careers in vertical farm management, crop development, and related fields.

Program Outline

The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the evolving field of smart farming.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of the application of AI and IoT in vertical agriculture.
• Analyze the challenges facing traditional agriculture and its impact on future food security.
• Develop solutions for overcoming these challenges through sustainable practices in vertical farming.
• Equip students with the skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of sustainable food systems.

Outline:

The program is offered as two Masters degrees: MSc and MRes.

MSc:

• Comprises a taught program of five modules and a research project.

MRes:

• Offers three taught modules and an extended research project.

Modules:

Common Modules:

• Vertical Farming Systems (40 credit points): This module establishes the global context of the controlled environment crop industry and explores the vertical farming sector, its potential evolution, and its role in global food security.
It examines various vertical farming systems, including hydroponic, aeroponic, aquaponic, green wall, and rooftop, assessing their suitability for different crops, environments, and local demands.
• Intelligent Technologies (20 credit points): This module focuses on the application of AI technologies, including machine learning and the IoT, in combination with existing agricultural technologies, to manage vertical farming systems.
• Sustainability in the Food Supply Chain (20 credit points): This module explores the complex interactions between food systems, sustainability, and supply chain management.
It examines the economic, environmental, and social aspects of a sustainable food supply chain and the role of controlled environment cropping and vertical farming.
• Applied Crop Sciences (20 credit points): This module provides the foundational crop science knowledge required for developing sustainable crop production systems in a controlled environment.
It investigates plant physiology, genomics, genetic modification, and the role of crop phenotype in yield, flavor, and functional foods. Students work on a real crop production issue provided by vertical farming sector employers, utilizing NTU's vertical farming research facility.
• Research Methods and Data Analysis (20 credit points): This module develops advanced skills in interpreting quantitative and qualitative research data and fosters a critical understanding of ethical considerations in data collection.
Students present their findings and research in various formats, critically evaluate and interpret knowledge from secondary sources, and communicate their findings to peers.

Research Project (MRes 120 credit points, MSc 60 credit points):

Students conduct in-depth research on a chosen topic related to controlled environment cropping and vertical farming. They design and implement a research project with a strong emphasis on originality and communicate their findings to an informed audience in a comprehensive scientific report.

Teaching:

• The program utilizes a blend of lectures, seminars, online learning, and practical sessions.
• Independent learning is encouraged, and students undertake high-quality research for their Masters awards.
• Teaching is supported by the Brackenhurst campus, a 200-hectare country estate and working farm, which is part of the DEFRA Environmental Stewardship scheme.
• Students have access to specialized teaching and laboratory facilities, including the vertical farming research facility.

Careers:

• Graduates can pursue various highly-skilled roles in the agriculture and allied sectors.
• Potential career paths include:
• Vertical farm management
• Crop husbandry
• Crop product development
• Vertical farming system design
• Development of light recipes for optimal cropping
• The program emphasizes the sustainability of products, focusing on the short food supply chain, which offers a range of high-skilled professional roles.
• Graduates can also pursue further academic research pathways through PhDs and as Research Assistants/Fellows.

Other:

• The program includes built-in work-like experience, with students collaborating with real-world industry partners on authentic crop production projects.

• UK

Mode of study

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Full-time

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Part-time

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• please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study.

Mode of study

| The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.