| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Students can choose from PhD, iPhD, or MSc (Research) pathways, with access to cutting-edge research facilities and experienced supervisors. The program emphasizes a multi-level approach to understanding living organisms, utilizing post-genomic technologies and focusing on specific areas of interest such as circadian clock modeling and stress-induced plasticity.
Program Outline
Students can choose to follow a traditional PhD pathway with a duration of 3-4 years for full-time study or 5 years for part-time study. Alternatively, the innovative iPhD program allows students to complete their postgraduate research over a 5-year period, encompassing both a Master's degree and a PhD. This integrated approach combines taught modules with research work, providing a strong foundation for independent research in the final year. For those seeking a shorter research-focused program, the MSc (Research) option offers a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time study option, ideal for honing research skills and diving deeper into specific areas of interest.
Teaching:
The program boasts a vibrant research environment supported by highly qualified academics, experienced supervisors, and dedicated postgraduate convenors. Students benefit from:
- Cutting-edge research facilities including core facilities in flow cytometry, cell imaging, biophysical techniques, NMR, microarrays, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics.
- In-house informatics support.
- Extensive multidisciplinary and collaborative research.
- Robust generic skills program including training in social and commercial skills.
- Interactive discussion groups and seminars.
- An atmosphere fostering critical cultural policy and research analysis.
Other:
- The School is well-funded, allowing students to collaborate with international labs and gain valuable experience beyond the University.
- Project supervisors maintain strong industry connections, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange and real-world applications of research findings.
- Specific areas of interest within the program include:
- Modeling organ specificity in the plant circadian clock
- Post-genomic insights into tissue function and control in Drosophila
- Optimizing recombinant protein expression and secretion in mammalian cells
- Systems biology approaches of stress-induced plasticity of the mitochondrial intermembrane space
- Light control of local and long-distance phytohormone signaling in Arabidopsis
- Quantitative systems biology of membrane transport and cellular homeostasis
- Systems biology of gas exchange and photosynthesis, from molecule to the field
- Materials and metabolomics for identification of stem cell fate modifying metabolites
- Analysis and integration of large omics datasets
Entry Requirements:
Undergraduate Degree
The program requires a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant field. This could include degrees in biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, or other related disciplines.
English Language Proficiency
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets specific English Language proficiency levels. These vary depending on the qualification you have obtained. For example, for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module, a score of 6.5 overall with no subtests under 6.0 is required.
Additionally:
- UK and EU students with specific qualifications may be eligible for home fee status.
- Applicants with degrees from majority-English speaking countries may be exempt from providing English language test scores.
Entry Requirements for iPhD Applicants
iPhD applicants have different entry requirements. They do not need to contact a supervisor beforehand and will choose from a list of available IPhD projects. These requirements ensure that students have the necessary language skills to succeed in their studies. For example, for the IELTS Academic module, a score of 6.5 overall with no subtests under 6.0 is required.
