Agriculture

Program Overview

The Professional Doctorate of Agriculture (DAg) is a 5-7 year program designed for individuals pursuing careers in the agri-food sector. It combines taught modules with two work-based research projects, aiming to develop practical skills and industry-relevant knowledge. The program is flexible and accessible to those in full-time employment, with three intakes per year. Students can complete the program partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Professional Doctorate of Agriculture (DAg) is a 5-year program designed for individuals pursuing professional careers in the agri-food sector. It aims to provide a qualification equivalent to a PhD but with a stronger focus on practical application and industry relevance. The program combines taught modules with two work-based research projects, delivered through workshops, distance learning, and live/virtual supervisory meetings. The program emphasizes the integration of new knowledge into the workplace, ensuring research is directly applicable to industry needs. Employers are expected to be supportive of the student's research aims and the time commitment involved. Self-employed students should focus on research aligned with their business.

Outline:

The DAg program is structured in two parts:

Part I (Minimum 2 years):

• Taught Modules:
• Two modules from the MSc Sustainable and Efficient Food Production program.
• "Research Methods" taught module.
• Research Thesis:
• A 20,000-word thesis analyzing existing data from the candidate's workplace.
• Example: "Reviewing historical mineral deficiency data by species and region: analyzing and interpreting the findings."

Part II (Minimum 3 years):

• Research Thesis:
• A longer thesis (up to 60,000 words) involving experimentation and original research.
• Ideally, builds upon the Part I thesis.
• Example: "Changing practices and introducing innovation to combat mineral deficiencies."

Course Schedule:

• Duration: 5 to 7 years to complete.
• Intake: Three intakes per year (January, May, September).
• Contact Time: Part I typically takes 2-3 years, while Part II takes a minimum of 3 years.
• Flexibility: Designed for those in full-time employment.
• Distance Learning: Each taught module is a 12 or 14-week distance learning module worth 20 credits.
• Web-based Learning: Training is web-based, accessible with a broadband connection.
• Learning Materials: Podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks, discussion forums, assignments, and e-tutorials.

Modules:

May Start - 2024:

Core:

• Research Methods (BDM0120): 20 credits
• MRes Research Project (A) (BDM6060): 60 credits
• MRes Research Project (B) (BDM6160): 60 credits

Options:

• 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
• Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production (BDM7520): 20 credits
• Plant Breeding (BDM8420): 20 credits
• Ruminant Gut Microbiology (BDM2820): 20 credits
• Silage Science (BDM5620): 20 credits

September Start - 2024, January Start - 2025, May Start - 2025:

The modules for these intakes are the same as the May Start - 2024 intake, with the exception of "Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production" being replaced by "Organic and Low Input Livestock Production" (BDM7520).

Assessment:

• No exams.
• Taught modules assessed through coursework and forum discussions.
• Research is monitored and assessed.
• Viva voce examination is an integral part of the Part II thesis assessment.

Teaching:

• Distance learning modules:
• Silage Science: Develops knowledge of modern forage and grain ensilage systems and skills to integrate recent research into work.
• Improving Ruminant Production: Focuses on ruminants, including reproductive technology, genetic improvement, dairy cattle production systems, meat production systems, meat and milk quality, and disease prevention and management.
• Ruminant Nutrition: Develops understanding of digestion and metabolism of nutrients, rumen ecology, methods to modify rumen characteristics, and methods to modify meat and milk characteristics.
• Grassland Systems: Provides in-depth knowledge of pasture-based systems, management plans for optimizing meat/milk quality and yields, and conservation requirements.
Explores the potential of new forage crops.
• Ruminant Health and Welfare: Focuses on diseases of concern and adapting systems to reduce disease risk.
Students can specialize in dairy, beef, or sheep.
• Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture: Focuses on challenges facing land-based production and the role of emerging technologies to meet these challenges sustainably.
• Low Input Ruminant Production: Examines concepts behind ruminant production in low input or organic systems and considers alternative production methods.
• Ruminant Gut Microbiology: Investigates methods used to investigate rumen microbiology and reviews ways to manipulate rumen fermentation to improve productivity while decreasing the environmental footprint.
• Core Modules:
• Research Methods (BDM0120): Compulsory module available three times a year.
Must be taken before starting the research project.
• Work-Based Thesis (BDM6060 and BDM6160): Compulsory module, can be started in any semester.
Requires completion of Research Methods and involves a work-plan developed with the ATP tutor, academic supervisor, and employer (if relevant). The thesis should analyze existing data from the workplace.
• Research Thesis: Compulsory module undertaken for a minimum of three years.
Involves experimentation and original research, building upon the Work-Based Thesis.

Other:

• The program is available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh.
• The program is designed to be accessible to those in full-time employment.
• Self-employed students should focus on research aligned with their business.