Plant and Microbial Sciences – (M.Sc.)

It is estimated that the world population will peak at around 9 billion by the middle of the century. Already, 1 billion people do not have enough to eat. According to a recent report from the Royal Society, food production needs to increase by 50-100 % by 2050. At the same time, changes in climates and pollution are affecting the biota of aquatic systems and soils. Meanwhile, agriculture is being placed under pressure from different directions. Changing climates, caused by rising CO2, are leading to more extreme weather events, increasing crop failures. At the same time, plants and microbes are being looked to as a possible solution to climate change ¿ both higher plant crops and microbes are increasingly being grown to provide biofuels. In this context, plant sciences and microbiology are more important now than ever before. This is also an area with a recognised skills shortage.

The MSc in Plant and Microbial Sciences at The University of Manchester offers students the opportunity to contribute directly to the future. Students can choose to specialise in either plant biology or microbiology or can undertake research projects at the interface between the two areas. Key themes of Plant Science research in Manchester include increasing plant stress tolerance and developing novel ways to generate new crop varieties whilst exploring the wider roles of plants in our environment. Microbiology research encompasses studies on bacteria, algae, fungi and protists and includes studies related to disease, evolution and the roles of microbes in the environment. Research into soil processes and the use of algae in biofuel production transcend both plant science and microbiology.

During the 12 month course, students spend the majority of their time working on two original research projects, gaining the practical laboratory skills required for biology-related careers in industry or academia. The degree is not only directed at students with a specialist backgrounds but is particularly suited to life scientists who wish to gain experience in plant- or microbiology-based research, offering the possibility to work on a broad range of topics.