MPhil in Biological Science (Plant Sciences) by thesis

University of Cambridge

The Department of Plant Sciences is an outstanding University Centre for research in plant and microbial sciences. It offers excellent research and training opportunities in the following areas of plant and microbial science: Cell function and responses to the environment Developmental biology and signalling Genetics and epigenetics Ecosystem function and conservation Evolution and diversity Microbiology and biotic interactions Plant pathology and epidemiology Systems and mathematical biology Enhancing photosynthesis Biotechnology and engineering The Crop Science Centre is an alliance between the University of Cambridge's Department of Plant Sciences and the crop research organisation NIAB. It is a global hub for crop science research and a base for collaborations with research partners worldwide. The research MPhil degree essentially follows the PhD format but is compressed into one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). The work consists of research and courses as required under academic supervision. Applicants should contact a potential Supervisor before proceeding with their MPhil application. You can browse the personal/group pages of the Research Group Leaders to check the details of their research. The course aims to provide master's-level training in practical aspects of Plant Sciences, augmented by appropriate lecture courses delivered within the department. The course provides training in a wide range of disciplines, including plant genetic engineering, plant development, plant molecular biology, plant biochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, microbiology, plant ecology, crop biology, plant virology, plant epigenetics, epidemiology, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, eco-physiology, and bioinformatics. Having identified a research area of interest and contacted the appropriate Supervisor, the first stage in developing an application should be to draft an appropriate research summary of the training to be undertaken. MPhil students must submit a thesis for examination within the maximum period of their study. All postgraduate students attend induction and safety training courses in the department. In addition to undertaking their research, students will attend relevant courses and lectures, such as instrumentation, sequencing and database use, statistics, experimental design, analysing data, writing reports and a thesis, and giving effective scientific presentations. Students are also expected to take part in the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences' Researcher Development Programme. Students receive termly reports on their work.

Department of Plant Sciences