Course details

Summary

Lincoln's Master of Science provides graduates with advanced training in scholarship and research in a range of science disciplines. This 240-credit research master’s requires 120 credits of course work and a 120 credit research thesis. Graduates receive specialist training and are ready for a wide range of employment in our primary industries.

The Plant Breeding specialisation prepares students for employment as a plant breeder in either the cropping or pastoral industries. These jobs are in high demand both within New Zealand and internationally. The core courses within this specialisation have been designed to align with internationally-recognised plant breeding qualifications and are continually revised in collaboration with the New Zealand industry to ensure the provision of an industry-relevant qualification. We have both research facilities and research programmes that stretch from molecular biology through to field-based breeding programmes and strong ties with local breeding companies and Crown Research Institute-based breeding initiatives. This ensures that there are project opportunities and access to the best breeding programmes and breeders in the country. We also run, as part of the required course work, field tours of breeding programmes across the South Island, for candidates to meet with and see plant breeders and their breeding programmes in a commercial and research setting.

Summary of Regulations

• Students are required to complete 240 credits: normally 120 credits of taught courses from the schedules to the regulations for the relevant master's degree and a thesis worth 120 credits. Note that the first year provides preliminary research preparation.
• Students enrolling in thesis only masters are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits.

Entry criteria

For 240 credit Masters (thesis and exam): a relevant degree with at least a B grade average in the 300 level and final year (full-time equivalent) courses

For 120 credit Masters (thesis only): a relevant postgraduate honours degree with Second Class Honours, Division One or its equivalent (or higher).

They should also have obtained an overall CAE score of 176, with no individual component less than 169; PTE of 58 overall score - with no communicative skill less than 50; Lincoln University English Language of GCAE or LU EL 70%; NZCEL of Level 5 (Academic or Professional Endorsement).