Course Overview

One of the principal challenges that our society faces is the need for increased agricultural productivity via improved crop protection and plant biotechnology. The number of novel crop protection and biotech products registered in the EU has been decreasing over the last 10 years. This is, in part, due to a sector covered by a reduced number of companies, a difficult legislative environment, and the lack of professionals with skills and specific knowledge. Given the quality of the UK Plant-science research and education system, the socio-economical context, and the increase in global warming-associated natural catastrophes, there has never been a more important time to train new scientists in plant biotechnology, to underpin economic growth. Most of the Biosciences graduates finish their degree with limited practical and experimental skills and the practical knowledge required for translating their ideas into commercial products. Furthermore, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the biosciences field, employers seek graduates with transferable skills beyond those established in their first degree. In order to fulfill the curriculum gap and to improve the employability and business development know-how of home and overseas bioscientists, academics at the DU Bioscience department have designed a postgraduate taught course in Plant Biotechnology & Enterprise.

General Eligibility

Applicants need the equivalent of a UK honours degree to at least a 2:1 in a Biosciences equivalent degree (i.e. Biology, Natural Sciences, Agriculture). It is not necessary to have prior laboratory experience in plant sciences techniques

Part Time Work Details

Language Requirement

• IELTS: 6.5 (no component under 6.0)_x000D_ _x000D_ TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 92 (no component under 23)