BSc in Plant Sciences with Placement Year

Course description

This course will give you an in-depth insight into fundamental plant biology. You’ll explore photosynthesis, the genetics of disease resistance and the conservation of plant diversity. As part of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement. This will enhance your understanding of how we can harness plant technology to solve global food and energy shortages, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and develop sustainable and green technologies.

Our students have found placements within industry with organisations such as GSK, Atkins Environmental Consulting and EMEC Ecology; with charities like the Wildlife Trusts, Newquay Zoo, and the Field Studies Council; or in government with the Environment Agency. You could even apply your scientific knowledge and transferable skills within or outside of the bioscience industry in areas such as market research, communications or business development. A placement is a great opportunity to test out a career path and many students are offered a graduate-level job at the end. You’ll pay reduced fees for the year you’re on placement and you’ll still have the support you need from your tutor and the University.

During your time at Sheffield you’ll cover two main themes: 

• plant physiology – how plants harvest light energy, acquire nutrients from the soil and convert this to sustain growth
• plant ecology – how plants interact with each other and their non-living environment, and disease resistance and biodiversity.

Our courses are designed for students who have a passion for understanding the role of plants in sustainability and the science and technology of food production. Sheffield is home to the Institute for Sustainable Food, which brings together our expertise in this area in order to find dynamic solutions to the challenges of food security and sustainability. It’s research like this that you’ll be able to get involved in throughout your studies.

Alongside your specialist plant science modules, you’ll have the freedom to study topics across the breadth of biology to complement your knowledge. Topics range from molecular genetics, developmental biology and biochemistry, to evolution, zoology and physiology. This flexibility allows you to study plant sciences in greater depth from a range of perspectives, broaden your interests or even switch to another biosciences degree.

No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.

We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals, out in the Peak District conducting your own research projects, visiting zoos, aquariums and other scientific spots around the country and embarking on a field course in the UK or abroad.

Whether you choose to focus solely on plant sciences, or study a range of topics across the biosciences, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.