Biological Sciences MRes

Course structure

The Biological Sciences MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits, 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

Areas of study

The particular focus of the course depends on your choice of project topic, which also determines which option modules are available. The exact nature of the course is therefore to some extent unique to each student.

The core MRES research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across a wide and dynamic range of disciplines. Additional elements of the course aim to provide an integrated, employment-focused, research training programme for students wanting to develop their research skills in the biosciences.

Projects have included:

• Elucidating the genetic basis of chlorhexidine resistance in Proteus mirabilis
• Assessing the tumour microenvironment in ovarian cancer (PSN1) cells
• Antimicrobial proteins of the defensive mucus of Helix aspersa
• Investigating the detrimental effect of metformin on human pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Investigating inflammatory effects of anti-retroviral drugs on glial cells.

Core modules

• MRes research project
• Evaluating Research in Biosciences

One from:

• Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry
• Applied Protein Biochemistry

One from:

• Clinical Microbiology in the Post-antimicrobial Era
• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation

Options

• Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience
• Data and Scientific Theories
• Advanced Diabetes Therapies
• Oxidative Stress and Human Disease
• Ion Channel Pharmacology and Physiology

Full-time students study for 180 credits; the research project for 140 credits and 40 from additional modules. 

Staff profile

Dr Angela Sheerin

Course leader

"After joining the University of Brighton as a Research Fellow in 2000, I fostered a deep interest in ageing and senescence. This has since influenced my research in the fields of impact of senescence on ageing disorders, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), ophthalmology, micro-organisms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"I am currently involved in looking into a number of themes, including ageing as a risk factor for COPD and CAA and the effects that senescent cells may contribute to the disease.

"My PhD is in molecular gerontology and I lecture in the areas of molecular biology, pathobiology, medical genetics, endocrinology and biochemistry. I am an enthusiastic lecturer who likes to use new and modern technologies to teach students, and believe hands-on practical experience is highly beneficial to a training bioscientist."

Student view

Amy Coward

"Having completed a Biomedical Sciences BSc(Hons) at the University of Brighton, I was keen to continue my studies. I had particularly enjoyed the research project in the third year of my course, so I decided to undertake an MRes. This appealed to me as the extensive laboratory experience makes the MRes a perfect route into a PhD, or to work in industry or the NHS.

"The MRes was enjoyable and very challenging. It gave me the opportunity to experience life as a full-time research scientist, as well as improving my knowledge of research techniques across the spectrum of biological and biomedical sciences. The combination of the research project and research methodology modules required good time management and organisational skills throughout the year."

International requirements

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map