Welcome to our Plant Science course at Canterbury Christ Church University. If we haven't met you already at an Answers Day or Offer Holder Day, we are really looking forward to meeting you! Plants are by far the most exciting and important organisms on the planet, with the most complex genomes, bizarre chemical communication mechanisms, and uses in everything from pharmaceuticals to food!
Dr Gregg McIntosh
Course Director for Plant Science
Academic Calendar: Semesters
View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.
You will have lots of opportunities to learn practical skills and work with us and your fellow students in your first few weeks. We pride ourselves that this is a very friendly and supportive place to study, so we believe you will have an enjoyable and productive time with us.
You can also find some of our videos, such as our Summertime Science YouTube channel, or by searching “Summertime Science” on our Facebook page.
If you have Instagram, follow our Faculty Instagram for regular updates.
We can’t wait to see you all when the academic year starts!
You will have a practical week where we will introduce you to our new lab facilities and get you started with developing your practical skills.
After that, we aim to structure the timetable so that you will only have to be in for one or two days a week for some weeks, three or four days in others, with one additional lab week later in the semester (these will appear in your timetable).
As part of your practical sessions, you will complete competencies that will enhance your employability and evidence your hands-on experience.
Attendance at these sessions is particularly important and we will support you in attending as much as you can.
The university year is made up of two semesters, one running from September - January, and the other from February - May. You will complete 3 modules in each semester during your first year.
Why not familiarise yourself with the latest findings and events in the plant science community! Explore the exciting careers you could have in front of you and read about how you could get involved in ‘growing the future’.
On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!
CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18 September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.
We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.
Find out more about our welcoming community and making friends
If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.
In particular have a look at Section 7 on 'flowering plants form and function'.
It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers a 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts, recommended in the module handbooks that you will receive when you start in September.
We also advise you to look at the second-hand book market.
International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.
If you have any queries, please feel to contact the Science Course Team