The Professional Doctorate of Agriculture is delivered in two parts:
- Part I is undertaken for a minimum of two years and comprises two taught modules from the MSc Sustainable and Efficient Food Production and ‘Research Methods taught module, plus a portfolio of work or a research thesis (approximately 20,000 words in length). Each taught module is worth 20 credits and takes 12 or 14 weeks to complete. The short Part I thesis should involve analysing existing data from the candidate’s workplace. For example: 'Reviewing historical mineral deficiency data by species and region: analysing and interpreting the findings'. Students may exit here with an MRes.
- Part II is undertaken for a minimum of three years and comprises a longer portfolio of work or a research thesis (up to 60,000 words). It will involve experimentation and must embody the methodology and results of original research. It should, ideally, be built upon the Part 1 thesis. Thus, from the example above, could be something like: 'Changing practices and introducing innovation to combat mineral deficiencies'.
