MSc (research) (Full Time)
Year:13/14
UCAS Code:
Minimum Length:24 Month(s)
Maximum Length:24 Month(s)
Credit Points:300
Director of Studies:Professor WJ Davies
Educational Aims: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topThe range of transferable skills that students are expected to gain includes:
IT literacy in mainstream word-processing, analysis and presentation software
Presenting information in verbal, electronic and hardcopy media
Numerical skills, including statistical analysis
Practical laboratory and field skills
The ability to critically analyse and interpret data.
The taught element of the course, which accounts for 30% of the final assessment, provides students with a basic understanding of the principles of sustainable agriculture, with particular emphasis on optimising crop resource use efficiency based on an analysis of crop resource inputs and economic outputs. Linking crop production outcomes (both economic production, and environmental risks associated with these) to national / international policy objectives of food security is developed as a key theme within the course. Social and political considerations of food security are developed via modules run in association with the Management School and Institute of Advanced Studies.
A range of transferable skills modules are available to students through the joint science faculty Graduate Training Programme. Transferable skills (scientific writing, statistical methods, computing, presentation skills, project management etc.) are also developed throughout the taught modules and the extended research project. On completion of the taught component of the course, the students undertake an extended research project which comprises the remaining 70% of the degree. The projects are tailored to allow the students to develop particular areas of speciality relating to agricultural sciences and technology. The framework of the project enables students to enhance problem solving methodologies through the focussed application of appropriate scientific methodologies.
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topStudents completing the MSc programme will be expected to have gained transferable skills, subject specific knowledge and scientific methodology to Masters level. In addition to these outcomes, which are considered in more detail below, the course nurtures working relationships between students and active researchers/practitioners both internally and externally.
Transferable skills outcomes
Transferable skills achieved through varied methods of delivery and assessment of the subject specific modules which include group presentations, reports and essays, and associated practical and analytical work. The individual research projects consolidate and extend transferable skills both through the execution of the research work and the writing of the associated thesis. The range of transferable skills that students are expected to gain includes:
IT literacy in industry standard word processing, analysis and presentation software.
Presenting information in verbal, electronic and hardcopy media.
Numeracy, including mathematical and statistical modelling.
Project management.
Interpersonal skills in group settings.
Self management and motivation.
Subject specific knowledge outcomes
Subject specific knowledge is developed through research informed teaching and associated reading. Initially this is achieved through the subject specific modules that employ a range of delivery and assessment styles including lectures, practical workshops (including paper based, computer based, laboratory based and site based studies), and seminars. Students are expected to self learn using reference material to further develop their perceptual models, and to field visits are provided illustrate the associated practicalities. More depth to subject specific knowledge is added through the specialisation of students in their chosen research projects. The range of subject specific knowledge that students are expected to gain is reflected in the breadth of modules available in the taught programme. These cover a broad range of science and technology modules.
Scientific methodology outcomes
Students' scientific methodology is developed at all stages of the programme and in particular through their chosen research projects. Initially, scientific method is nurtured through the written and verbal feedback of staff to students during the taught elements of the programme, along with the exposure of students to the scientific literature. The research project affords the opportunity for closer staff student interactions where a critique of scientific method occurs within a research active environment. The range of scientific disciplines that students are expected to gain include:
Developing a robust scientific argument.
Formulating and testing hypotheses.
Assessing contrasting scientific theories.
Identifying, abstracting and synthesising scientific information.
Problem solving and decision making.
Identifying, abstracting and synthesising scientific information
The use of experimentation within a scientific problem solving exercise.
Handling complexity and uncertainty.
