MSc

Livestock Science

You are viewing this course for September start 2023

Key Facts

Course Code D320

Qualification

MSc
Course duration

1 year

Available for

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The Masters Degree in Livestock Science offers biological, scientific and professional training that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to pursue leading careers in the livestock industries, in scientific research, in consultancy services, and in education.

Food security is vital to the success and stability of any country and its population. Meeting the world’s increasing demand for food is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. Livestock Science is, and will remain, central to meeting this challenge. Not only is food quantity important, but so too is quality, with consumers continuing to demand a high quality product at an affordable price. These demands can only be met by the development and implementation of innovative concepts and ideas by suitably qualified postgraduates, who will also then drive forward these exciting developments in livestock science and production.

Typical Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 2:2 Bachelors (Honours) degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent. Non-graduates will be considered individually based on relevant work experience.

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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Course Overview

Why study MSc Livestock Science at Aberystwyth University?

The Institute of Biological, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Aberystwyth University has 1000 ha of farmland, a 400 cow dairy unit, upland and lowland sheep and beef units and a flock of layer hens
IBERS livestock-related research was worth in excess of £20 million in the last 5 years
Our joint submission with Bangor University to the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) displayed that 78% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, and 97% of our research is internationally recognised
76% of our joint submission to the most recent Research Excellence Framework was judged as world-leading in terms of research impact
Our submission in conjunction with Bangor University was the 5th strongest submission in the Agriculture and Environment area in the UK - REF 2014
IBERS has previously been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education
IBERS received the ''Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology'' award at the 2013 Times Higher Education Awards
Aberystwyth University is a top 50 university for research power and intensity – REF 2014.

About this course

Duration:

Both full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 year) routes available.

Assessment:

Assessment will be by course work such as essays, seminar presentations, case studies, poster presentations and final examinations in January and May.

Course Fees:

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

Modules September start - 2023

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
Dissertation	BRM3560	60
Animal Breeding and Genetics	BRM5820	20
Grassland Science	BRM5120	20
Infection and Immunity	BRM1620	20
Livestock Nutrition	BRM0320	20
Livestock Production Science	BRM5420	20
Research Methods in the Biosciences	BRM6420	20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Careers

Our graduates often progress to careers in:

Scientific research
Scientific publishing
Laboratory work
Animal Nutrition
Animal Welfare
Teaching
Animal breeding
Technical Sales.

Many of our previous graduates have also progressed to PhDs or Veterinary Medicine.

Skills

This course will empower you to:

Develop an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the key contemporary topics affecting the Livestock Sciences
Enhance your problem-solving and data handling skills
Develop and sustain a self-initiated programme of study
Develop study and research skills
Develop your skills of original thought, analysis, evaluation, interpretation and reasoning
Enhance your communication skills
Work effectively independently and as part of a team.

Teaching & Learning

How will I learn?

This course can be studied one year full-time or up to 24 months part-time. When studied full-time, the course is divided into three semesters. During the first two semesters, students complete 120 taught credits (usually six 20 credit modules), which are delivered primarily through lectures, practicals, field trips, workshops, and seminars.

During the final semester (June to September), you will complete your master’s dissertation and will arrange your level of contact with your assigned dissertation supervisor.

What will I learn?

In the first two semesters, students will study a number of core modules, covering topics such as animal breeding and genetics, infection and immunity, grassland science, livestock nutrition, and livestock production.

Students will also undertake a research training module (Research Methods in the Biosciences), which will give them a strong grounding in statistical techniques and analytical approaches to biological/environmental investigations, and will enhance their research skills and techniques.

Throughout the course, a strong emphasis is placed on student centred study. This culminates in the master’s dissertation, a key part of the course which allows you to pursue specific areas of interest.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is via a mix of written assignments (case studies, research proposals, research critiques, essays, and reports), written examinations, seminar presentations and online assignments.

Successful submission of the dissertation in the final semester leads to the award of an MSc.