Course modules
Year 1
Agricultural Machinery Management
Students will discuss the principles of agricultural machinery systems and investigate of the strength and suitability of materials in relation to different roles within machinery. Safety systems within machinery will also be considered. You will also develop skills in the acquisition and analysis of primary and secondary data.
Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy, physiology and environmental assessment are introduced through this core module. With a focus for the agricultural students on livestock, you will explore the fundamentals of animal biology, an understanding of which will help foster successful livestock farmers. The module includes some lab practicals.
Academic and Professional Skills
Here we will explore the professional requirements for a successful career in the sector along with equipping students with the time management, academic writing and critical thinking skills needed to succeed in education and your chose profession. It is aimed that you have a strong start to the degree and you develop vital transferable skills useful in future project management, data analysis, reporting and presenting information to different audiences.
Essential Plant and Soil Science
Here students explore the underpinning knowledge and understanding of plant biology and soil science. For plants (crops) students discover how plant form and function relates to their basic needs in terms of light, water, nutrients and reproduction. Soils will enable you to recognise soil properties (in both soil samples and in the field) and their influence on plant growth and development.
Principles of Crop Production
Gives an introduction into the principles of growing a range of agricultural crops covering the establishment, nutrition, protection, harvesting and storage of crops. Constraints on crop production from pests, diseases and adverse environmental conditions are also introduced.
Principles of Livestock Production
Introduces the main production systems of a range of livestock produced in the UK. Health, disease and biosecurity, animal welfare standards, breeding, nutrition & costings will be included as students develop a full picture of the UK livestock industry.
Year 2
Business and Entrepreneurism
Here you will evaluate entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process to develop your business planning skills. This includes marketing and finance in order to aid the formulation of sustainable and enterprising business plans suited for a fast changing growth industry.
Crop Physiology and Production (Option)
A module exploring the science underpinning crop growth and production in arable crops and fresh produce. A critical appreciation of management practices that exploit and apply this knowledge will be developed
Forage Crop and Grassland Management
Central to farm profitability is the scientific basis of grassland & forage crop production as we seek sustainability in livestock production systems. In this module, emphasis will be placed on the fundamental principles with the application of science to allow students to make effective forage crop management decisions
Livestock Nutrition and Breeding (Option)
Essential for those destined for a career in livestock here you will develop a broad understanding of the biological and biochemical principles which underpin animal nutrition and breeding. Dietary requirements and modern breeding techniques along with the use of cutting edge science will explore how to maximise yield from our livestock.
Managing the Agricultural Environment
Students will evaluate some of the impacts of recent changes in farming practice (in the UK) on plants and animals living in agricultural habitats such as moorland, upland rough grazing, lowland pastures, silage, crops and field margins. Strategies for the conservation of farmland biodiversity are investigated, as is the concept of ecosystem services which is a way of attributing economic value to the environment.
Production of Non-combinable Crops
An opportunity to examine the developments and use of current and emerging crop technologies and evaluates their ethical, environmental and economic issues. The design of effective experiments and data interpretation to validate new technologies and crop products will also be covered.
Research Methods
Experimental design and data analysis are core themes in this module. It will introduce concepts of statistical testing and further develop skills in presenting and interpreting results of scientific investigations. The module will give students vital skills in formulating research questions and designing an effective experiment in preparation for the final year research project.
Year 3
Developments in Food and Farming Innovation
This module explores the productivity of UK agriculture. Students will examine case studies of innovation in the food and farming supply chain with the aim of creating and justifying innovative solutions to given food and farming situations in order to improve agriculture productivity.
Developments in Global Land Use (Option)
A module that critically evaluates the issues with current global land uses. In particular, it will focus on subjects such as climate change, energy use, water management and soil degradation and how current techniques could be altered to achieve lower impacts.
Policy Developments in the Rural Environment (Option)
Here students focus on the global political, economic and legislative developments and how these will affect the rural environment in the future. The module will establish the framework within which the rural policy operates and explore the direction in which legislation and policy are headed.
Research Project (Double module)
An opportunity for a student to pursue an in-depth study of the student's own choice which is related to their substantive areas of study. Students will work independently, under limited supervision, in order to develop and demonstrate their research and academic skills and abilities. The dissertation will normally be based on an academic topic using primary and/or secondary data collection techniques. In both cases academic theory is to be critically evaluated and applied to the research topic.
Sustainable Crop Science
Students will explore advances in the application of emerging sustainable technologies and practices in crop production, including water use efficiency, plant nutrition and crop protection.
Sustainable Livestock Science
Students will explore the advances in the application of scientific research to emerging sustainable extensive and intensive livestock production systems, including water and feed use efficiency, animal nutrition and breeding.
Entry requirements & additional information
- Entry requirements
- Learning and assessment
- Progression
- Careers
- Professional accreditations
- Special requirements
Entry requirements
5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent)
Plus 104 UCAS Tariff points from one or more of the following:
• 3 A-levels (A2) at C or above
• BTEC/C&G Level 3
• 4 Scottish Highers at C or above
• 4 Irish Highers at C or above
• International Baccalaureate at 24 points
AS levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.
Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.
All offers may be subject to successful interview
Learning and assessment
Students will face a variety of assessments including examinations, essays, debates, assignments, technical reports, group and individual presentations, individual study projects and industry based case studies.
Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops.
This course makes use of the extensive on-site research facilities and the College farms.
Students are expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations form an important part of the course. Students will have access to specialist IT hardware and software, an on-line learning environment and reference facility.
Additional Information:
Study trips may include visits to a variety of successful agricultural livestock and arable enterprises in the Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Wirral areas. These farm businesses have welcomed Myerscough student visits to supplement the learning in specific modules. Farm diversification and commercial energy generation projects may also be visited including wind farms, large scale anaerobic digestion units and biomass plants. Further to this, subject to interest, International Study Tours may also be offered to farms in Canada, USA and Ireland.
Guest speakers often visit and may include industry experts in areas such as crop protection and marketing, agricultural waste management, animal nutrition, livestock technology, AI and breeding. Attendance at national events and conferences including British Cattle Breeders annual conference.
There may also be opportunities for students to attend National Farming Seminars held by AHDB, NFU etc. for networking.
What work experience can I get?
There is no formal industry placement on this course, however, students are encouraged to undertake internships offered by local and international firms to help build an attractive C.V.
Progression
On successful completion of the BSc (Hons) programme students may wish to apply for our MSc Integrated Crop Management course.
Careers
Graduates will be in a position to apply for posts available in the agricultural industry (and other related industries) including:
Agriculture Quality Assurance Officer
Agricultural or crop or Livestock Research
Agricultural Consultant
Agricultural Finance and Insurance
Agricultural Journalism
Arable Specialist
Agronomist
AI Technician
Farm Animal Nutritionists
Crop Chemical Specialist
Crop Marketing
Farm Business Advisor
Farm Management
Feed Sales Management
Field Trials Officer
Food Supply Chain Manager
Food Purchase Manager
Livestock Breeding Specialist
Plant Breeding Specialist
Veterinary Drugs Representative
Professional accreditations
Students will be encouraged to form links with local and national agricultural organisations such Tenant Farmers Association, NFU, Dairy Co, EBLEX, Breed Societies, RASE, agricultural discussion groups and Young Farmers Associations.
Special requirements
Additional costs for items that are essential for the course:
- Approx £100 - Waterproofs, safety boots, wellingtons and overalls
Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:
- Approx £1200 – Study tour (previous visits: Ireland, USA and Canada)
- Approx £150 – conferences (some are free).
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