Biological Sciences MRes

How this course is delivered

We've made some changes to the way our courses are taught to keep everyone safe, connected and involved in university life.

At the moment, students have a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that provides lots of opportunities to interact and engage with lecturers and other students.

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 core MRES research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across disciplines. Additional elements of the course provide an integrated, employment-focused, research 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

Options

• Controversies in Science
• Clinical Microbiology in the post-antimicrobial era
• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
• Viruses and Human Cancer: the Evolution of an Idea
• Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices
• Oxidative Stress and Human Disease
• Real-time techniques for In Vitro and In Vivo Monitoring
• Ageing: Pathology and Prevention
• Cancer: Bench to Bedside
• Understanding  Age-related CNS Disorders
• Water Quality Analysis
• Intro to GIS
• Applications of GIS

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

Staff profile

Dr Ian Cooper

Course leader

"I am a Principal Lecturer in Microbiology and the course leader for Biological Sciences BSc(Hons, MSci and MRes degree programmes.

"My area of expertise is in microbiology. My research focus on the persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment allows me to bridge the gap between clinical and environmental biology, and to develop and deliver a robust and engaging learning programme.

"My emphasis is on researching the fundamental molecular mechanisms of bacterial adhesion to biomedical materials and environmental substrata, and how human contact with animals and the environment affects bacteria relating to human health, as well as the potential use of bacteriophages as alternatives to antibiotics."

International requirements and visas

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

Visas and immigration advice

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.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences are listed here.

• All students are provided with a laboratory coat, safety glasses and log book.
• A budget to cover laboratory consumables and equipment for your final year project is included in the fees for all students.
• Access to key subject journals and subject specific databases is provided, as well as a site licence for industry-standard chemical drawing software.
• Essential instruction booklets (laboratory handbooks) are provided, as is project poster printing and thesis binding. However, you should budget for books, printing and stationery for personal study.
• The school provides some financial support for social activities via the student societies and holds a free annual graduation party.
• Optional placements and day trips may include additional costs but this will vary depending on location of the placement.
• For our ecology and conservation courses there are compulsory field trips for which you should budget up to £200. There are also optional field trips for which you may choose to budget up to £2,700. You may also need to buy appropriate clothing for outdoor use.
• DBS checks for MPharm students are included in the fee.
• Costs for MPharm placement travel is reimbursed up to a specified amount depending on location of placement.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships, as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

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 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.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps