Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement

The Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement MSc course from the University of East Anglia isa unique opportunity to study plant molecular genetics and its potential applications in the 21st century, within an environment of academic and research excellence.

At UEA, you’ll benefit from teaching by research staff at JIC, and a number of leading plant breeding and plant biotechnology companies within the UK. In your taught modules, you’ll cover subjects including plant molecular genetics and biotechnology, target traits for crop improvement, and plant breeding with statistics – as well as learning key transferable skills such as laboratory research and communication skills. An important element of the course is the substantial six-month laboratory-based research project that you’ll conduct under the supervision of a senior scientist. As part of this you’ll submit a dissertation and present a seminar on your research project.

This MSc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement enables you to explore the theoretical basis of plant breeding and statistics, plant genetics, genomics and bioinformatics, while at the same time gaining valuable practical experience. You'll also receive training in key transferable skills.

Career opportunities:

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.

Courses include:

• Genetics, genomics and bioinformatics

• Laboratory research project

• Plant breeding

• Plant genomics and biotechnology

• Practical skills in plant molecular genetics

• Research project plan

• Statistics for plant science