Plant Biotechnology

As the human population increases, the challenges of meeting global requirements for food security become increasingly difficult. Students on this two year programme will have the space to explore how we might modify our approaches to plant cultivation to meet rapidly changing climates, and what genetic and molecular tools we can use to generate nutritional, resistant, and diverse food crops for the future. Students will also acquire an understanding of the need for sustainable biotechnological solutions. This, coupled with state of the art laboratories, affords enterprising students the space to accelerate the development of new products and compete globally in this sector.

• Integrated crop management, multi-cropping, precision agriculture and organic farming; vertical agriculture
• Soil management and enhancement for sustainable fertility
• Novel domestication to broaden crop use
• Molecular biology and modern techniques of breeding for enhanced crop performance; enhancing orphan crops
• Genetically engineered plants for improved performance, disease and pest-resistance; associated regulatory and IP issues
• Engineering photosynthesis
• Engineering plants and other photosynthetic organisms for the production of valuable compounds
• Principles of a circular economy and sustainable product design
• OMICS and bioinformatics

• There will be an opportunity for student placements at the University of Edinburgh during the programme

Students graduating from the programme will find employment opportunities within a variety of industries both national and international. They will also possess the skills to develop their own business ideas or continue into further university-based research settings.

Applicants of all nationalities can visit the admission page to learn more about the admission process. More Details