MRes

Agriculture

You are viewing this course for May start 2024

The MRes in Agriculture at Aberystwyth University is a Masters programme with a greater focus on research than taught elements. This course is a distance learning course.

The MRes in Agriculture requires you to successfully complete any two modules from the MSc Sustainable and Efficient Food Production and the Research Methods module. You will then work with designated supervisors on a 120 credit work-based dissertation (approximately 20,000 words in length).

This programme aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and industry. While the primary academic focus is on the completion of an advanced piece of research, the collaborative route provided by a work-based research project provides an ideal opportunity to embed new knowledge in the workplace and ensure that research is relevant to industry. As such, it is crucial that a student’s employer is supportive of both their research aims and the time commitment that the proposed research will involve. Self-employed students should aim to undertake research which will be closely aligned to their business.

Typical Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 2:2 Bachelors (Honours) degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent. Subject to agreement with project supervisor. Non-graduates must have at least 24 months of relevant full-time work experience in an agri-food industry.

English Language Requirements IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent

Other Requirements Applicants are encouraged to submit an up-to-date CV as part of their application.

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Fees and Finance

See our Postgraduate Funding and Scholarships Calculator for possible funding opportunities.


Course Overview

Course Details
This scheme aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and industry. Students must complete three taught modules and a 120 credit work-based dissertation / research thesis (approximately 20,000 words in length). While the primary academic focus is on the completion of an advanced piece of research, the collaborative route provided by a work-based research project provides an ideal opportunity to embed new knowledge in the work place and ensure that research is relevant to industry. As such, it is crucial that a student’s employer is supportive of both their research aims and the time commitment that the proposed research will involve. Self-employed students should aim to undertake research which will be closely aligned to their business.

Students may build on the MRes to work towards a Professional Doctorate.

About this course

Duration:

An MRes can be completed in 2-5 years but we would expect most students to spend 1 year on their taught modules and 2 years on their work-based dissertation.

12 or 14 weeks per module by distance learning.

There are three intakes per year (January, May, September).

Contact Time:

The MRes comprises three taught modules (including Research Methods) followed by a 120 credit work-based dissertation (20,000 words).

International scholarships:

International scholarships of up to 80% are available: Find out more and apply at ibersdl.org.uk/registration/international-scholarships

Modules May start - 2024

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Research Methods BDM0120 20
MRes Research Project (A) BDM6060 60
MRes Research Project (B) BDM6160 60

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs BDM8320 20
Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture BDM5820 20
Grassland Systems BDM5120 20
Livestock Health and Welfare BDM5920 20
Livestock Nutrition BDM0320 20
Livestock Production Science BDM5420 20
Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production BDM7520 20
Plant Breeding BDM8420 20
Ruminant Gut Microbiology BDM2820 20
Silage Science BDM5620 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Modules September start - 2024

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Research Methods BDM0120 20
MRes Dissertation DL (A) BDM0060 60
MRes Dissertation DL (B) BDM0260 60
MRes Research Project (A) BDM6060 60
MRes Research Project (B) BDM6160 60

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs BDM8320 20
Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture BDM5820 20
Grassland Systems BDM5120 20
Livestock Health and Welfare BDM5920 20
Livestock Nutrition BDM0320 20
Livestock Production Science BDM5420 20
Organic and Low Input Livestock Production BDM7520 20
Plant Breeding BDM8420 20
Ruminant Gut Microbiology BDM2820 20
Silage Science BDM5620 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Modules January start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Research Methods BDM0120 20
MRes Research Project (A) BDM6060 60
MRes Research Project (B) BDM6160 60

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs BDM8320 20
Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture BDM5820 20
Grassland Systems BDM5120 20
Livestock Health and Welfare BDM5920 20
Livestock Nutrition BDM0320 20
Livestock Production Science BDM5420 20
Organic and Low Input Livestock Production BDM7520 20
Plant Breeding BDM8420 20
Ruminant Gut Microbiology BDM2820 20
Silage Science BDM5620 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Modules May start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Research Methods BDM0120 20
MRes Research Project (A) BDM6060 60
MRes Research Project (B) BDM6160 60

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Business Management for Rural Entrepreneurs BDM8320 20
Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture BDM5820 20
Grassland Systems BDM5120 20
Livestock Health and Welfare BDM5920 20
Livestock Nutrition BDM0320 20
Livestock Production Science BDM5420 20
Organic and Low Input Livestock Production BDM7520 20
Plant Breeding BDM8420 20
Ruminant Gut Microbiology BDM2820 20
Silage Science BDM5620 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Teaching & Learning

We have designed our training to be as accessible as possible, particularly for those in full-time employment. Each taught module comprises a 12 or 14 week distance learning module worth 20 credits which can be taken for your own continuing professional development or interest or built towards a postgraduate qualification. The research elements of our qualifications are carried out in your workplace with regular academic supervision. The training is web-based, which means that as long as you have access to a reasonable broadband connection (i.e. are able to stream videos such as on YouTube), you can study where and when best suits you. Learning material includes podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks and discussion forums, as well as assignments and e-tutorials. By signing an online re-registration form each year you will have access to e-journals and library resources for the duration of your registration.

Assessment:

There are no exams within this programme. Taught modules are assessed via course work and forum discussion. Research is monitored and assessed.

Modules

The menu of optional distance-learning modules available is:

Silage Science This module will develop the trainee’s knowledge of modern forage and grain ensilage systems; and their skill to integrate recent research into their work.

Ruminant Production The focus of this module is ruminants: reproductive technology, genetic improvement, dairy cattle production systems, meat production systems, meat and milk quality, and disease prevention and management.

Ruminant Nutrition Trainees will develop understanding of: Digestion and metabolism of nutrients, ecology of the rumen and methods used to modify it; and methods used to modify characteristics of meat and milk.

Grassland Systems Trainees will develop in depth knowledge of pasture based systems and learn to develop management plans towards optimizing meat/milk quality and yields; and conservation requirements. The potential of new forage crops will be explored.

Ruminant Health and Welfare Focuses on diseases of most concern and looks at adapting systems to reduce the disease risk. Students can specialise in: dairy, beef or sheep.

Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture This module focuses on the challenges facing land based production and the role of emerging technologies to meet these challenges sustainably.

Low Input Ruminant Production This module examines the concepts behind ruminant production in low input or organic systems and considers alternative production methods.

Ruminant Gut Microbiology The module looks at methods used to investigate rumen microbiology and review of ways of manipulating rumen fermentation to improve productivity whilst decreasing the environmental footprint.

Core Modules

BDM5520 Research Methods

The compulsory module - Research Methods - is available twice a year so that students can fit it around their optional modules. This module must be taken before you begin your research project.

BDM6060 and BDM6160 Work-based Thesis (120 Credits):

The compulsory module – Work-Based Thesis – can be started in any semester. This module should only be taken when Research Methodology and Advances in Biosciences has been completed and will involve a work-plan developed with your ATP tutor, academic supervisor and employer (if relevant). The thesis should involve analysing existing data from your workplace.