Stage 1 is common to all animal science students, during which you will develop knowledge and skills in the areas of animal health, behaviour, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology. There are optional modules to choose from in agriculture, evolution and biodiversity, as well as modules in information technology and practical techniques. You can also choose a European language or business/marketing modules to complement the science modules that form the core of this degree.

Stage 3: Core modules develop key areas relating to animal production science such as animal breeding and growth; farm animal nutrition; and forage utilisation. Optional modules enable you to obtain expertise in related areas such as product quality and marketing; animal welfare and environment; or tropical animal production. You are encouraged to compare and contrast different livestock enterprises and to integrate scientific knowledge into sound production systems, considering the demands of both the market and the population. There are visits to look at livestock systems on farms and at research centres.
Agriculture – All Degrees

Our degree programmes provide an in-depth understanding of agriculture at both farm and industrial levels, based on agricultural sciences, production studies and business management. You are introduced to a range of farming practices on the University’s and other farms.

Each of our agricultural degrees carries a specialist theme (or Honours Option) which allows you to study a particular area of agriculture in detail. These Honours Options reflect different career paths available after graduation.

Whichever Honours Option you apply for, modules in Stages 1 and 2 are common. This means that if you are unsure which Honours Option is right for you, you can defer your decision until the end of Stage 2.

Stage 1: This covers all the basic scientific and quantitative aspects of the subject such as soil, crop and animal science, and economics. You are also introduced to laboratory work and develop skills in microcomputing. A series of visits to the University farms covers some of the more practical aspects of agriculture.

Stage 2: You apply the principles established in Stage 1 to both animal and crop production and to farm management.

Stage 3: Following one of the four Honours Options allows you to study, in depth, an area of agriculture that particularly interests you. Each Honours Option balances compulsory core modules with a wide range of additional choices making up a third of the modules taken in the final year. You also write a dissertation on a subject of your choice

Our modular programme structure provides a broad range of skills in your first year that ensure a solid foundation on which to build for your specialisation in the final year. Transfer between this and other programmes in the biological sciences is usually possible at this stage.

Your second year combines further studies in fundamental sciences with some specialised animal science modules. The optional professional training year, after your second year, will complement your academic knowledge and enhance your employment prospects upon completion of your degree. Your final year consists of core modules in specialised aspects of animal science, combined with a choice of a wide range of optional modules, together with a research project conducted in one of our own research laboratories or, subject to arrangement, neighbouring research institutes.