Agriculture - Integrated Masters

Program Overview

The four-year Integrated Masters in Agriculture at Aberystwyth University combines a BSc with an extra year of study, resulting in a Masters-level qualification. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of agriculture, agricultural production systems, and related topics like sustainability, environmental management, and technology. Graduates are equipped with the subject specialist skills and practical experience to pursue careers in agricultural consultancy, farm management, livestock health and nutrition, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The four-year Integrated Masters degree in Agriculture at Aberystwyth University offers the opportunity to combine a BSc with an extra year of study, graduating with a Masters-level qualification. The course develops the breadth and depth of agricultural knowledge and prepares students to be subject specialists, able to effectively utilize state-of-the-art innovations within the agricultural industry. It provides detailed coverage of agriculture and agricultural production systems, alongside vital subjects like sustainability, environmental management, and technology. The program equips students with the practical and theoretical understanding needed to manage a sustainable business, adopt best practices informed by current research, and tackle the challenges of livestock and crop management.

Outline:

The first three years of the course follow the same syllabus as BSc Agriculture (H21Y), followed by an additional year of study leading to a Masters-level qualification.

Year 1:

• Agricultural Technology and Farm Safety: (BR18420, 20 credits)
• Business, Economics and Land Use: (BR10420, 20 credits)
• Crop, grassland, soil and agricultural land management: (BR18040, 40 credits)
• Introduction to Livestock Production and Science: (BR17020, 20 credits)
• Skills for the Agricultural Industry: (BR18820, 20 credits)

Year 2:

• Agronomy and Crop Improvement: (BR27620, 20 credits)
• Farm Business Management and Appraisal: (BR21020, 20 credits)
• Food, Farming and the Environment: (BR21920, 20 credits)
• Livestock Production Systems: (BR20420, 20 credits)
• Research Methods: (BR27520, 20 credits)
• Options:
• Applied Nutrition of Livestock, Horses and Companion Animals:
(BR20720, 20 credits)
• Controlled Environment Crop Production and Horticulture:
(BR23520, 20 credits)

Year 3:

• Advances in Agriculture: (BR34820, 20 credits)
• Farm Planning and Advanced Farm Management: (BR31620, 20 credits)
• Critical Review: (BR36320, 20 credits)
• Research Project: (BR36440, 40 credits)
• Options:
• Crop and Grassland Production Science:
(BR37220, 20 credits)
• Livestock Production Science:
(BR30820, 20 credits)
• Marketing and Small Business Management:
(BR34720, 20 credits)
• Sustainable Land Management:
(BR30420, 20 credits)

Year 4:

• MBiol Research Project: (BRM2860, 60 credits)
• Research Methods in the Biosciences: (BRM6420, 20 credits)
• Options:
• Animal Breeding and Genetics:
(BRM5820, 20 credits)
• Grassland Science:
(BRM5120, 20 credits)
• Infection and Immunity:
(BRM1620, 20 credits)
• Livestock Nutrition:
(BRM0320, 20 credits)
• Livestock Production Science:
(BRM5420, 20 credits)

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including essays, practical exercises, oral presentations, worksheets, reports, statistical exercises, business plans, literature reviews, field notebooks, and exams. Research projects in the third and fourth years involve in-depth research under the guidance of a supervisor.

Teaching:

The course is delivered through a program of lectures, seminars, workshops, and field visits. Students have numerous opportunities to apply their academic learning in practical activities and workshops.

Careers:

The Integrated Masters degree in Agriculture is designed to meet the demand for qualified personnel in the agricultural and allied industries. The subject specialist skills developed on this course allow graduates to target careers in agricultural consultancy, agronomy, farm management, livestock health and nutrition, and other related roles. The MAg is also a recognized alternative to MSc for progression to a PhD studentship, as well as an excellent foundation for a career as a professional scientist.

Other:

• The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active.
Vocational courses also have staff with industry backgrounds.
• The Department has a large number of research-only staff with whom students may have contact.
• Aberystwyth is surrounded by a great diversity of farmland and agricultural terrain.
The 800-hectare commercially managed university farms provide the setting for practical learning.
• Field visits to farms and agricultural and food businesses throughout the UK that are industry leaders in innovation and technical expertise reinforce academic learning.
• The Farm Business Survey is used for comparative analysis and benchmarking, allowing students to compare their farm's performance and profitability to other farms in the UK and EU.
• The Careers Service offers various work experience opportunities.
• GO Wales and the Year in Employment Scheme enhance employability prospects.