Postgraduate Taught Degrees

MSc Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement (Part time)

Duration:: 2 years
Attendance:: Part Time
Award:: Degree of Master of Science
School of Study:: Biological Sciences
Brochure:: Faculty of Science Postgraduate Brochure (PDF)

Overview
Why Choose Us
Course Profile
Requirements
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The MSc course in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement provides training for students wishing to undertake a further degree in plant molecular genetics, or alternatively, a career in plant breeding and crop improvement. The course focuses on plant molecular genetics and its potential applications to crop improvement in the 21st century.

The course is run jointly by the School of Biological Sciences (BIO) at UEA and the John Innes Centre (JIC), which also includes The Sainsbury Laboratory. The John Innes Centre is one of the world’s leading research institutes in plant genetics and crop improvement. The teaching staff includes members of the School of Biological Sciences together with scientists from the John Innes Centre and a number of leading plant breeding and plant biotechnology companies within the UK.

In recent years the career prospects for students with a postgraduate degree in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement have been very good, often leading to a PhD or employment in the plant breeding industry. The course will provide you with a unique opportunity to study plant genetics and crop improvement in an environment of academic and research excellence.

The taught modules cover subjects including plant molecular genetics and biotechnology, target traits for crop improvement, and plant breeding. Training in a number of key transferable skills is also included. You will also undertake a laboratory-based research project under the supervision of a member of BIO faculty or a senior scientist at the John Innes Centre. You will be required to submit a dissertation and present a seminar on your research project.

Research projects are offered in the following areas:

Plant genetics
Plant biotechnology and crop improvement
Plant genome organisation
Plant-microbe interactions
Cell and developmental biology
Plant gene function

"I found this course very beneficial but it was also tough for me as I did not have a molecular biology background in my first degree. However, there was always support from the lecturers, supervisors and staff of the course who are sympathetic to students and encouraging. The number of students is kept small, so the atmosphere of the class is friendlier than the other large courses. We are also privileged to have so much exposure to the latest Plant Science at John Innes Centre where renowned researchers gather from all over the world. Thanks to this course, I was offered the PhD studentship to research Crop Genetics at JIC and enjoy a life as a scientist there!"

Chie Hattori Former student

Course Organiser:Dr. Colwyn Thomas

90% of research activity classified as internationally leading, excellent, or recognised in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
Teaching of the highest quality; rated “Excellent” in the most recent Teaching Quality Assessment.
Consistently ranked in the top five for overall student satisfaction amongst mainstream English universities (UK National Student Survey).
Research and teaching supported by an impressive array of cutting edge in house facilities and a range of well equipped modern laboratories.
Part of the Norwich Research Park, a major international centre for plant, microbial, food and health science.
Close collaboration with scientists from the Sainsbury Laboratory.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

Year 1
Year 2

This is the first year of your taught Masters programme

Compulsory Study (100 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 100 credits:

Name	Code	Credits
GENETICS, GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS	BIO-M113	20
This module is a more in-depth version of BIO-M109, providing a Master's level introduction to the structure and function of DNA. The module covers mechanisms of inheritance in pro- and eukaryotic organisms and an introduction to the study of model organisms and their genomes. This will be followed by lectures and workshops that investigate the molecular mechanisms controlling transcription and translation together with contemporary 'omics' technologies used for the analysis of whole genomes, gene function and expression. Lectures and seminars that introduce the role of bioinformatics in genome biology and evolution will also be included together with an opportunity to gain practical experience in bioinformatics. These lectures and seminars will provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for more in-depth coverage of these topics later in the academic year, including within the laboratory-based research project.
PLANT BREEDING	BIO-M621	20
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the basic principles of plant breeding and genetics and to explore the principles and applications of the newer technologies in the manipulation of traits in crop improvement. On completion the students' understanding will include: The principles, analysis and application of Mendelian, population and quantitative genetics in plant breeding; the background to and application of molecular techniques such as the generation and use of doubled haploid populations and marker assisted breeding and selection; breeding strategies and selection procedures; principles and application of heterosis and hybrid breeding.
PLANT GENOMICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY	BIO-M112	20
Compulsory Module for MSc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement. Plant genetics and biotechnology have played a significant role in understanding fundamental aspects of plant biology, and they also have tremendous potential for crop plant improvement in the future. This module will provide an overview of the theory and practical applications of plant molecular genetics, genomics and transformation technologies in both model and crop plants.
POSTGRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME	BIO-M82Y	10
The aim of this module is to provide students with a number of useful transferable skills to assist their learning and career development including: scientific writing, the use of presentation software and the utilisation of IT-based resources.
STATISTICS FOR PLANT SCIENCE	BIO-M18Y	10
Restricted module for students on the MSc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement. This module will provide training in statistical methods appropriate for analyzing data from many experiments in plant science and crop plant improvement. No prior knowledge of statistics will be assumed. The preliminary lectures and practicals will cover Basic Statistics and Design Principles, the estimation of important parameters, confidence intervals and significance tests and will also introduce linear models and concepts of experimental design. The later lectures will cover Experimental Design and Analysis and will teach the use of general linear modelling as a widely-applicable method of analyzing data from most experiments. Further lectures will develop specific topics relevant to plant genetics. This module will provide students with essential skills required for analysis of experimental data from their own laboratory-based research projects and for a wide range of research in the future.
TARGET TRAITS FOR CROP IMPROVEMENT	BIO-M114	20
Compulsory module for MSc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement. Future crop plant improvement will depend upon new varieties expressing a number of key traits, either by conventional plant breeding, or by genetic modification. These traits include durable resistance to pathogenic microorganisms, and promoting interactions with other microorganisms that will result in mutually beneficial symbioses that could reduce inputs of nitrogen and phosphorous in agriculture. Other desirable traits include tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and extremes of temperature, as well as crops with enhanced nutritional quality. This module will investigate the genetic basis underlying these important traits in both model and crop plants, and the strategies for introducing these traits into specific crops.

This is the second year of your taught Masters programme

Compulsory Study (80 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 80 credits:

Name	Code	Credits
LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT	BIO-M70X	60
Compulsory and restricted module for MSC in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement A six month laboratory-based research project on some aspect of plant genetics, crop improvement, plant-microbe interactions or plant biology supervised by a member of scientific staff at the John Innes Centre or Sainsbury Laboratory, or by a member of faculty in the School of Biological Sciences at UEA. This provides a thorough training in experimentation, data collection, critical analysis, and presentation.
RESEARCH PROJECT PLAN	BIO-M116	20
This restricted and compulsory module for the MSc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement involves individual work carried out by the student under the supervision of the research project supervisor in BIO, or a member of staff at JIC. This module involves an extensive survey of current literature related to the research project (BIO-M70X), the formulation of hypotheses, and the design of experiments to test them. The module is intimately linked with the research project module BIO-M70X where students conduct these experiments, analyse their research project data, and critically assess their hypotheses.

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Entry Requirements

Degree Subject:: Biological Sciences or Plant Biology
Degree Classification:: Good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent)
Alternative Qualifications:: Candidates with other experience, such as employment within a plant breeding company or relevant research experience will also be considered.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 (minimum 18 in listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 reading)
PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees 2013/14

UK/EU £6,000
International £15,400

Funding

International applicants applying to this course can be considered for one full fees Commonwealth Scholarship, one Faculty of Science half fees scholarship, or up to four £1000 scholarships. The deadline for the Commonwealth Scholarship is 15th March 2013 and for all other scholarships the deadline is 1st April 2013.

Commonwealth Scholarship
Students applying for the Commonwealth Scholarship are not required to submit an essay. All eligible candidates to whom the school has made an offer are automatically considered for nomination. The successful candidate and a reserve will be notified by 31st March 2013. If you have not been contacted by this date then unfortunately you have been unsuccessful. The appropriate application forms will be sent to the successful student.

Faculty of Science Scholarships
Students wishing to apply should submit an essay. You may choose a Biologist of your choice and answer the following question in 1000 words: 'What are the major contributions of (your chosen Biologist) to biology'? Essays should be emailed to the Admissions Office. Please ensure you include your full name, the course you have applied to, and your applicant number in your email.

For more information please contact the Biology Postgraduate Admissions Office (bio.pgt.admiss@uea.ac.uk).

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

You can apply online, or by downloading the application form.

Further Information

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.