Climate change degrees launched at SRUC

Scotland's Rural College is launching three new degrees next year to give students the skills to tackle climate change.

John Sleigh

20 September 2019

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is now offering new degrees for students to gain the skills to hit climate change goals.Sustainable Land Use: Food and Bioresources, Agricultural Technology and Wildlife and Conservation Management are three new degrees being added to the courses offered at SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway from September next year.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is now offering new degrees for students to gain the skills to hit climate change goals.

Sustainable Land Use: Food and Bioresources, Agricultural Technology and Wildlife and Conservation Management are three new degrees being added to the courses offered at SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway from September next year.

Sustainable Land Use will examine how land use practices can help tackle today’s critical challenges of climate change, biodiversity and food security.

Sustainable agriculture

Students will learn about sustainable agricultural systems that can provide a growing population with food, bioproducts and bioenergy, while helping to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and minimise pollution.

The first year of the degree will be taught together with an HNC in Bioscience, providing an access route for students with CC at Higher level, or equivalent.

Technology

The Agricultural Technology degree will cover a range of subjects including engineering and mechanisation; electronics, computing and control systems; soils and crops; livestock husbandry and management.

Wildlife and Conservation Management will look at current techniques in the management of wildlife, habitats and recreation. Students will take a range of modules which cover the theory and practical application of subjects such as wildlife conservation, ecology, field skills, outdoor access and land management.

The three new degrees will replace existing courses being taught at SRUC and are subject to revalidation in December.

Degree courses

Students will also be able to enrol in degree courses in Applied Animal Science and Rural Business Management; HND courses in Agriculture, Applied Bioscience and Rural Business Management; an HNC in Rural Business Management; and a National Certificate in Horse Care.

More information about the courses offered at Barony will be available at open days on Tuesday 8 October, from 4-7pm, and Saturday 16 November, from 10am to 1pm.

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