Plant Biology & Biotechnology

Rapid developments in our understanding of plants and their significance to our wellbeing has been achieved through advances in a range of disciplines including genetics, genomics, cell biology, physiology, ecology and studies on climate change. Graduates of this one-year MSc will be equipped with the knowledge and skills in these recent advances to rise to the future challenges in academia, industry and policy development. Innovation and entrepreneurship permeate the course as central themes and, in addition, a specific module on entrepreneurship in plant biology is delivered. This MSc covers a wide diversity of both topics and approaches, and is taught by a high-profile research-oriented group of academics.



Researchers from the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science represent the single largest grouping of plant scientists in Ireland, with research interests ranging from genetics and molecular biology of the cell to plant physiology and ecology.



- Outstanding diversity of topics and approaches in plant biology research, covering developments in genetics, cell biology, biotechnology and plant environment interactions.



- High-profile, research-oriented faculty and lectures.



What Will I Learn?

1 - Advanced knowledge of the variety of disciplines encompassed within Plant Biology, with emphasis on specific areas of research, which will provide the basis for the development and application of original ideas

2 - The knowledge and appreciation of how plants/crops, and plant/crop-derived products can be used in wider applications in the biomedical, food and agricultural sciences

3 - The ability to apply their knowledge to formulate hypotheses and test them using appropriate tools

4 - The ability to interpret a variety of different datasets generated in Plant Biology research

5 - A clear understanding that scientific research can be taken to the marketplace

6 - The ability to communicate to a specialist and non-specialist audience, in a clear and unambiguous way, the results of their investigations and/or rationale underlying them. Strong focus is put on writing (popular articles, scientific papers), and presenting orally.

7 - The maturity to continue studying and critically appraise the scientific literature in a largely autonomous manner

Stage 1 Core Modules

BOTN40290 Current Dev. Plant Bio. 1 Autumn 5

BOTN30130 Plant Biotechnology & Entrepreneurship Spring 5

BOTN40280 Current Dev. Plant Bio. 2 Spring 5

BOTN40220 Research Project Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A) 9 of:

You can only select up to a maximum of four modules which have a stage 3 code.

BIOL30010 Plant Diseases: Biology and Control Autumn 5

BIOL40370 Plant Pathology and Biotechnology Autumn 5

BIOL40560 Biological Imaging Autumn 5

BIOL40840 Applied Bioinformatics Autumn 5

BOTN40270 Biology and Ecology of Coastal Wetlands Autumn 5

BOTN40300 Plant Biology Field Course Autumn 5

CELB30110 Plant Cell Biology Autumn 5

CELB40040 Cell Signalling in Plants Autumn 5

ENVB40040 Environmental Impact Assessment Autumn 5

ENVB40360 Peatlands & Global Change (On-line) Autumn 5

BSEN40720 Carbon & Sustainability Autumn and Spring (separate) 5

BOTN30050 Diversity of Plant Form & Function Spring 5

BOTN30140 Experimental Plant Physiology Spring 5

BOTN40260 Plant Phenotyping: from Basics to Robotics Spring 5

CELB40030 Programmed Cell Death in Plants Spring 5

GENE30020 Genome Structure and Evolution Spring 5

ZOOL40280 Biological Invasions Spring 5

- This programme is intended for applicants with a degree in an appropriate life science discipline. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required.



- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



- Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

90

1 year full-time. Delivery: On Campus.

MSc Plant Biology & Biotechnology (F080) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 7785

nonEU fee per year - € 25600


MSc Plant Biology & Biotechnology (F131) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 3880

nonEU fee per year - € 12800


***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Next Intake: September 2025.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Graduates will have a distinct advantage when applying for PhD studentships or other more advanced graduate training in the area of plant biology and biotechnology. This MSc is ideal for graduates interested in pursuing scientific careers in academia, agriculture and plant science-based or biotechnology industries. Graduates will have opportunities to pursue postgraduate education and research and work in areas such as plant biotechnology, scientific journalism/publishing and for government agencies involved in governmental and non-governmental policy.