Agricultural Technology and Innovation (Taught)

With the unfolding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, connected sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), biotechnology and other technologies are being leveraged to keep agriculture sustainable. This programme will equip students with theoretical background combined with business management, to come up with disruptive, sustainable and ground-breaking innovations. Graduates are likely to start their own businesses, become consultants, work in the agriculture industry or, work for the government as advisors or policy makers.

Developments in sensors, robotics, automation, analytics and telematics are enabling new and sophisticated ways of managing agricultural practices. You will gain a comprehensive appreciation of the wide range of new and innovative technologies in the areas of crop production, livestock production, and management of the natural environment, whilse also learning about entrepreneurship and business management.

Mechanisation and data capture are becoming increasingly important in the production and management of animals, crops and the natural environment. For anyone wishing to start a career in this emerging industry, or for the entrepreneurial among you, this course will help you discover all that you need to know to succeed.

Students are given free access to the University's Farm491 facility, an agritech business incubator which provides support to agritech businesses for the promotion of technology and innovation within the sector.

A period of independent study provides an opportunity to engage with sector specialists in a professional capacity. Students also have the opportunity to complete a professional placement following the taught element of the course.

Course Modules

The course may be studied full-time over 12 months. You will study six modules over the autumn and spring terms, followed by a Research Project (dissertation), which is carried out over the summer to be submitted the following September. This may include a viva voce examination.

Modules are assessed primarily by coursework. Some modules have an examination as part of the assessment.

The modules available for this course are shown below. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Modules

• Integrated Agricultural Systems

• Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

• Research Skills

• Environmental Science and Technology in Agriculture

• Computing and Information Technology in Precision Agriculture

• Livestock Production Technology and Innovation

• Crop Production Technology and Innovation:

• Dissertation

PLUS a choice of TWO electives from:

• International Rural Development

• Organic and Regenerative Systems

• Managing Global Soils in a Changing Climate

• Climate Change and Sustainability

• Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply

• Leadership and Personal Development

• Facing the Global Challenges in Food and Agriculture

https://www.rau.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/msc-agritech-and-innovation-modules