Program Overview

MRes Plant Biology Programme

The MRes (Masters of Research) in Plant Biology is a full-time programme 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.

Programme Requirements

Students undertake a total workload equivalent to 90 credits over the 12-month programme, the principal element of which is the completion of a major research thesis of approximately 10,000 words. In parallel, students must take and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits.

• Students take 20 credits from the following available 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)
  • PS4024 Crop Physiology and Climate Change (5 credits)
  • PS4021 Environmentally Protective Management of Plant Pests and Pathogens (5 credits)
• Notes:
  • 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 School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Research Thesis

Students will also undertake independent research towards completion of a research thesis to a student workload equivalent of 70 credits on a selected topic in Plant Biology.

Entry Requirements

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

Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this programme, students 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 a 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 team-work, negotiation, time-management, scientific writing and oral communication

Research Areas

The following give an indication of the projects that will be considered:

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

Contact

For more details, contact the MRes Plant Biology programme coordinator, Dr. Rossana Henriques.