Program Overview

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Plant Biology (MRes)

Course Outline

The Master of Research (MRes) degree in Plant Biology is for highly motivated, enthusiastic students interested in research in this area. The MRes in Plant Biology is a full-time course running over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Applications will be accepted for a start date in October or January. The course consists of (a) a major research thesis and (b) taught modules on generic and transferable skills, with an emphasis on scientific writing, oral presentations, and general research skills. Note part-time study for this MRes course is not available.

Our MRes Plant Biology students undertake a total workload of 90 credits over the 12-month course, the principal element of which is a major research thesis of approximately 10,000 words worth 70 credits. In parallel, students choose and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits.

Modules

• BL6019 Ecological Applications of Geographical Information Systems (5 credits)
• BL6024 Quantitative Skills for Biologists using R (10 credits)
• BL4004 Frontiers in Biology (5 credits)
• BL4005 Research Skills in Biology (5 credits)
• BL4006 Food Production (5 credits)
• PS6001 Plant Genetic Engineering (5 credits)
• PS4024Crop Physiology and Climate Change (5 credits)
• PS4021Environmentally Protective Management of Plant Pests and Pathogens (5 credits)

MRes students may elect to take other, relevant modules (subject to availability) that are offered by the University that are not listed above to fulfil the elective requirement with approval from the MRes coordinator, research supervisor, and Head of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this MRes in Plant Biology, you should be able to:

• Carry out an independent and original research project to address an emerging question in Plant Biology.
• Prepare and write a dissertation of their research project in a critical, logical, and systematic manner, in keeping with the standards of postgraduate research.
• Display advanced theoretical knowledge and practical understanding within a research area of Plant Biology.
• Understand the basis and application of field and laboratory methods used in Plant Biology and knowledge of their limitations.
• Avail of relevant workshops or modules to increase scientific technical skills (e.g. biostatistics).
• Source, review, critically assess, and evaluate relevant primary literature and summarize material for presentation to peers and for inclusion within the research dissertation.
• Design, write, and defend a scientific research proposal based on their current research topic or a proposed topic.
• Evaluate their skill set and identify skills that should be acquired.
• Develop professional practice skills including teamwork, negotiation, time management, scientific writing, and oral communication.

Course Practicalities

Prospective MRes Plant Biology applicants are advised to contact the Programme Director, Dr Rossana Henriques, in advance of application to discuss possible project areas.

Students should consult the Fees office page for information on EU and non-EU College fees and bench fees for Plant Biology - MRes.

Why Choose This Course

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as biology, food production, GIS, and ecology.

Skills and Careers Information

Studying for an MRes Plant Biology at UCC will teach you key practical skills including team-work, negotiation, time-management, scientific writing and oral communication. All these skills are highly valued by employers today. You will also be well placed to apply for a PhD in UCC or beyond.

Requirements

Applicants must have at least a 2.1 in a relevant discipline and must contact the proposed MRes supervisor to discuss and agree on a research proposal before their application. In addition, applicants will be interviewed by the proposed supervisor and Head of Discipline prior to their application via UCC Apply.

English language requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International
on-EU applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure, visit our international research student page.

Fees and Costs

See our PG EU and International Fee Schedule page for tuition and bench fees.

Available Scholarships

We support our postgraduate community by offering a limited number of scholarships and bursaries to prospective and current students. Please see the Science, Engineering and Food Sciences scholarships page for more information.

How To Apply

See our How to Apply page for more information.

Contact Details For This Course

• Dr Rossana Henriques
• +353 (0)

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Project Areas

The following list of projects indicates the nature of our interests. Note that not all of these projects will still be available but indicate some of the research areas individual supervisors consider. Please contact individual supervisors, in the first instance, to discuss these and other projects.

• Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich | Ongoing MRes project opportunities are available in the areas of biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.
• Dr Eoin Lettice | The role of Biochar as a sustainable soil amendment.
• Dr Eoin Lettice | Quantifying the benefits of urban trees.
• Prof Astrid Wingler | Use of Brachypodium Sylvaticum as a model for growth regulation in perennial forage grasses.
• Prof Astrid Wingler | Life history variation in grass species.
• Prof Astrid Wingler | Autumn phenology – monitoring leaf senescence in response to climate change and light pollution.
• Dr Rossana Henriques | Circadian regulation of Arabidopsis growth controlled by the TOR signalling pathway.
• Dr Rossana Henriques | Biological characterization of oscillating long non-protein coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Arabidopsis.
• Dr Rossana Henriques | Circadian regulation of perennial ryegrass growth.
• Dr Rossana Henriques | Characterization of white clover development under in vitro and in vivo conditions.

See our MRes Plant Biology page and Plant Science Research page for more information on Plant Science staff and their research interests.