Biology & Environmental Science - Plant Biology & Biotechnology

MSc Plant Biology & Biotechnology
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

Government and private companies are working to develop new ways to improve existing food and animal feed crops, and to develop novel crops to meet future challenges. Graduates of this one-year MSc will be equipped with the knowledge and skills in these recent advances to rise to the future challenges in academia, industry and policy development. Innovation and entrepreneurship permeate the course as central themes and, in addition, a specific module on entrepreneurship in plant biology is delivered.

- Outstanding diversity of topics and approaches in plant biology research, covering developments in genetics, cell biology, biotechnology and plant environment interactions.

- High-profile, research-oriented faculty and lectures.

Vision and Values Statement
This programme is aimed at graduates who wish to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills in advanced plant biology and biotechnology, including crop science, genetics, genomics, cell biology, physiology, ecology, and studies on climate change, in order to pursue future careers in plant biology-based industries and PhD research. We aim to provide a learning environment that encourages our students to be active, motivated, and autonomous learners, and to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship. Lectures, tutorials, and small group discussions are key elements in the programme's design and are delivered by internationally recognised experts in the field. Our students are also given the opportunity to develop a business plan as part of our programme in innovation and entrepreneurship, and to also engage in a 3-month research project to gain advanced experimental skills.

Programme Outcomes
- A clear understanding that scientific research can be taken to the marketplace

- Advanced knowledge of the variety of disciplines encompassed within Plant Biology, with emphasis on specific areas of research, which will provide the basis for the development and application of original ideas

- The ability to apply their knowledge to formulate hypotheses and test them using appropriate tools

- The ability to communicate to a specialist and non-specialist audience, in a clear and unambiguous way, the results of their investigations and/or rationale underlying them. Strong focus is put on writing (popular articles, scientific papers), and presenting orally.

- The ability to interpret a variety of different datasets generated in Plant Biology research

- The knowledge and appreciation of how plants/crops, and plant/crop-derived products can be used in wider applications in the biomedical, food and agricultural sciences

- The maturity to continue studying and critically appraise the scientific literature in a largely autonomous manner

Related Programmes
MSc Environmental Sustainability (Negotiated Learning) JanPT
MSc Environmental Science FT
MSc Biotechnology FT
MSc Biotechnology & Business FT

Stage 1 - Core
Entrepreneurship & Plant Biotechnology BOTN40210
Research Project BOTN40220
Current Dev. Plant Bio. 2 BOTN40280
Current Dev. Plant Bio. 1 BOTN40290

Stage 1 Option
Plant Diseases: Biology and Control BIOL30010
Plant Pathology and Biotechnology BIOL40370
Biological Imaging BIOL40560
Diversity of Plant Form & Function BOTN30050
Experimental Plant Physiology BOTN30140
Plants and Stress BOTN40190
Plant Phenotyping: from Basics to Robotics BOTN40260
Biology and Ecology of Coastal Wetlands BOTN40270
Plant Cell Biology CELB30110
Developmental Plant Genetics CELB40020
Programmed Cell Death in Plants CELB40030
Cell Signalling in Plants CELB40040
Crop Breeding CPSC30090
Peatlands and Environmental Change ENVB40310
Insect-Plant Interactions ZOOL40030
Biological Invasions ZOOL40280

- This programme is intended for applicants with a degree in an appropriate life science discipline. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required.

- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

- Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MSc Plant Biology & Biotechnology FT (F080)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

90

1 year full-time.

MSc Plant Biology & Biotechnology (F080) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 7785
nonEU fee per year - € 25600

MSc Plant Biology & Biotechnology (F131) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 3880
nonEU fee per year - € 12800

***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Next Intake: 2020/2021 September

Careers & Employability
Graduates will have a distinct advantage when applying for PhD studentships or other more advanced graduate training in the area of plant biology and biotechnology.

This MSc is ideal for graduates interested in pursuing scientific careers in academia, agriculture and plant-science based or biotechnology industries. Graduates will have opportunities to pursue postgraduate education and research and work in areas such as plant biotechnology, scientific journalism/publishing and for government agencies involved in governmental and non-governmental policy.