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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Accessibility & LanguageUndergraduate Courses
BSc Plant & AgriBiosciences (PAB)
The PAB degree pathway has been introduced to the undenominated BSc program (GY301) in the University of Galway to provide an agri-oriented degree pathway option to students seeking to build on or develop their skills in relation to the vibrant agriculture and agri-food sector.
Plant and agricultural biosciences innovations have a critical role to play in ensuring future food security and sustainable development through discoveries in Ireland and internationally. The PAB degree pathway has a major focus on preparing students for careers in the vibrant plant and agribiosciences sector.
In Year 1, PAB pathway students take modules in Plant & AgriBiosciences, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology and Biochemistry within BO101.
In Year 2, PAB pathway students take the following four 5 ECTS core modules:
- AgriBiosciences (PAB2101)
- Molecular and Cell Biology (BO201)
- Evolution & Tree of Life (BO202)
- Microbes & the Environment (MI204)
The remaining 40 ECTS can be chosen from a range of elective 5 ECTS modules.
The PAB2101 - Agribioscience module, explores key topics such as sustainability, climate change, plant and crop sciences, animal breeding, genetics, and more through engaging lectures and hands-on learning. Beyond traditional lectures, the module includes tutorials, four interactive practical sessions and additional resources to help maximise the learning experience.
In Year 3, PAB pathway students take PAB core modules (20 ECTS) and are also recommended to take recommended electives to a total of 60 ECTS. The 4 PAB core modules are:
- Soil Sciences (PAB3101)
- AgriBiosciences for Sustainable Global Development (PAB3102)
- Plant and Agricultural Genetics (PAB3103)
- Systems Biology of Plant-Environment Interactions (PAB3104).
There are three possible streams to take in combination with PAB in Year 3:
PAB and Microbiology
The PAB and Microbiology pathways form an ideal third-year stream, as both highlight the importance of microbes and their impact on the environment from different perspectives. For instance, in PAB, you will explore how plant-microbe interactions contribute to significant economic losses each year, while also learning how plants benefit from mutualistic relationships with microbes. Additionally, you will gain key insights into the role of soil and its microbial communities in agriculture and how particular microbes have been at the core of plant biotechnology breakthroughs.
PAB and Biochemistry
Cellular and molecular biology are at the core of both the PAB and Biochemistry pathways, making them a perfect combination in this third-year stream. Through PAB modules, you will explore plant genetics and how genetic processes regulate key internal and external responses. You will also gain in-depth knowledge of cell biology fundamentals and the role of state-of-the-art genetic and molecular tools. Furthermore, plant biotechnology is one of the most dynamic industries worldwide, and we will show case how novel biotechnology tools are revolutionising this field for food security, nutrition and one health.
PAB and Botany & Plant Science (BPS)
If you are passionate about plants, this is a unique opportunity to combine these two pathways and create a specialised stream with plants as the main focus. The PAB and BPS pathways complement each other perfectly—while BPS covers key topics such as evolution, ecosystems, species, and paleobotany, PAB emphasises sustainability and agriculture, including plants, food security, climate change, and biotechnology. This stream will deepen your appreciation for the green side of nature, highlighting the essential role of plants as a cornerstone of our past, present, and future
In Year 4, PAB pathway students take all 6 taught PAB core modules (30 ECTS). The six core PAB taught modules consist of:
- Plant Genetics & Systems Biology (PAB4102)
- Climate Change, Plants & Agriculture (PAB4103)
- Plant and Agri-Biotechnologies (PAB4104)
- Current Topics in Plant & AgriBiosciences (PAB4106)
- Food systems & Climate Change (PAB4108)
- Microbiomes underpinning Agriculture (MI4107)
Uniquely fourth year PAB students can do their 4th Year PAB Research Project (20 ECTS) either as the PAB Research Project (PAB4101), or as the AgriBiosciences Research Internship Project (PAB4105) in partnership with Teagasc. Additional elective modules can be taken to give a total of 60 ECTS. Students who are keen to try a placement option can chose to take (PAB4109) Research Training Placement as one of their electives. We recommend that students take their remaining module electives from Microbiology, Biochemistry and Botany & Plant Science.
Why Choose PAB in Year 4
- Numbers! Our student numbers allow us to have a very close supervision of our students providing support throughout the academic year.
- We offer the opportunity to do a fully lab-based project from semester 1 which means that students get plenty of practical experience.
- There is a wide diversity of project topics through this pathway that allows students to find the ideal one (microbiology, genetics, biotechnology, food security, nutrition, sustainability, etc.) or there is also the possibility to identify a project to develop in another institution during the summer and PAB will supervise the thesis writing during the academic year.
- PAB is recognised as being highly multidisciplinary – reflecting plant and agri-sciences (biotechnology, food security, environment, sustainability, soil, plants, etc).
- Students gain a balanced blend of specific and crosscutting skills.
- PAB positions career opportunities in the plant and agri-sector.
- We provide guidance for future career choice through our PAB LinkedIn, career day, reference letters.
Career Opportunities
The BSc PAB degree pathway will strategically position a career for emerging 'green economy' job opportunities across agri‐biosciences, biotechnology, breeding, genetics, bio‐chemistry, food, nutrition, bioenergy, agriculture, pharmaceutics, education, biobusiness, sustainable development, clean‐tech, regulatory affairs & government policy sectors.
For students planning to continue with postgraduate studies, the pathway provides students with the requisite knowledge and skills to enter our award winning Masters degree programs MSc in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security or Msc in AgriFood Sustainability & Technology or our Structured PhD in Plant & AgriBiosciences.
For students who seek employment directly after completion of their BSc PAB degree, training will be provided in identification of career opportunities in the exciting agri‐biosciences and agri‐food sector in Ireland and internationally. . The AgriBiosciences Research Internship Project (in partnership with Teagasc) provides a platform to facilitate the integration of a student's career into the agri‐biosciences sector. In addition the Research Training placement gives excellent opportunities to extend the students cross-cutting skills.
