Primary tabs
Going into the programme, I did not expect it to be as multidisciplinary as it is. The taught material ranged from content on crop improvement and sustainable agriculture to statistics and programming. Exposure to such a curriculum has not only broadened my skillset, but also my idea of what a crop scientist is, or can be. Moreover, I was surprised by the diverse range of research projects available to choose from. I found a project that suited my interests while also aligning with where I hope to take my career.
Although the workload has been challenging at times, there have been many avenues of support available to keep it manageable. I have thoroughly enjoyed the combination of working both in the lab and the greenhouse, and feel adequately prepared for the next stage of my career.
Claire Matsika (2024-25 cohort) (April 16, 2025)
My experience in the Crop Science program has far exceeded my expectations. When I joined in October 2024, my understanding of the course was solely based on information from the department website. Since then, it has been an exciting and fast-paced journey, full of learning and growth. Michaelmas Term was particularly engaging, with a blends of seminars, tutorials, and intensive R statistical analysis training sessions. I enjoyed the practical components across the Department of Plant Sciences, the Botanic Garden, NIAB, Sainsbury lab and during a field visit to Hawk Mill Farm.
I was given the opportunity to select and rank my preferred research projects from a set list, I I am delighted to have been allocated my top choice: “Optimising pollination of Vicia faba for enhanced crop yield” in Professor Beverley Glover’s lab. Although my initial engagement in the lab suffered a slow start due to the demanding taught schedule, I was able to fully settle in at the start of Lent Term. The lab team has been incredibly supportive, and I am grateful for the guidance I have received during my research and data collection. The program’s transferable skills courses have significantly enhanced my abilities in literature review and scientific writing. These were particularly beneficial during the writing of the extended essay. The Course Coordinator has been consistently supportive, providing timely reminders and clear guidelines, which helped ensure smooth progress and timely submission. The extended essay accounts for 25% of the final grade, and the guidance provided was instrumental in navigating this task. While the R training was extremely valuable, the sit-in examination—which contributes 5% to the final mark—was admittedly a bit stressful. Nonetheless, it was a rewarding challenge.
As I move into the final phase of the program, I look forward to completing my data collection, conducting analysis, and writing my dissertation I am excited about the journey ahead and remain confident in the skills and support provided by this exceptional program. I am grateful to all support provided by the Pathway Directors, my supervisor, my academic assessor for the extended essay, the Programme Coordinator, friends and colleagues in the department, and my colleagues at the Crop Science programme. I have been privileged to serve as the cohort representative for the Crop Science cohort and this experience has helped hone my leadership and coordination skills. The wholesome experience and skills gained so far will be extremely helpful in my next chapter of my career.
Eric Muia (2024-25 cohort) (April 16, 2025)