Biological Sciences MRes

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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.

Syllabus

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.

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

Modules

Core modules

• Evaluating Research in Biosciences

  Evaluating Research in Biosciences will give you a critical understanding of innovative developments in biosciences and enable you to study a topic of current bioscience research in depth. Delivered via a series of presentations by university staff, external speakers and students, the module also includes seminars where you will take a leading role in facilitating and discussing material. You will be expected to evidence your literature research with a portfolio of annotated research articles.

• MRes Research Project

  During this module you will carry out a detailed independent investigative research project within a relevant academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. You will develop advanced skills in project planning, data generation and analysis, critical analysis of scientific literature, and written and oral presentation to the expected level of a professional scientist.

Options*

• Controversies in Science

  Controversies in Science will develop your ability to critically review and understand the nature of progress in science. A series of case studies from different disciplines and time periods will illustrate how scientific theories develop and why, by their nature, scientific hypotheses are always formulated in an environment of initially contradictory evidence. You will select a controversial area of modern science, review the competing theories to find the key drivers of disagreement and suggest experimental or theoretical means by which these might be resolved.

• Omics for Diseases: Theory, Practice and Applications

  This module covers the theory, practice and application of omics at the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic level. You will learn about the types of omics currently on the market and the use of omics technologies in basic research, medicine and pharmaceutical sciences for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases. You will gain hands-on experience with genomics and proteomics datasets and at the end of the module present a poster discussing recent advances in omics.

• Biological Membranes: Drug Targets and Disease

  As many healthcare issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer are associated with altered lipid composition, drugs need to cross lipid membranes to reach their target. This module will provide you with an overview of the structure and physiology of biological membranes linked with current research and theory and develop your understanding of the role biological membranes play in health and disease. You will also study the experimental techniques used to analyse biological membranes.

• Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices

  Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices will introduce you to the field of regenerative medicine, medical implants and diagnostics. Areas covered include conventional medical implants and devices and personalised regenerative medicine approaches in cell-based therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering. You will explore the factors influencing biocompatibility of materials in relation to specific clinical applications and expanded to conventional implants, cell carriers and nanobiomaterials as vectors/carriers for genes and drugs.

• Clinical Microbiology in the Post-Antimicrobial Era

  Clinical Microbiology in the Post-Antimicrobial Era will cover the complex factors influencing microbial pathogenesis, the clinical presentation of infectious disease and microbial resistance to antibiotics. You will explore aspects of infection management practice and the use of rapid diagnostic methods to accelerate appropriate treatment of infection. You will also learn to critically evaluate current thinking regarding organism and host factors which affect pathogenesis of infectious agents.

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• Oxidative Stress and Human Disease

  This module highlights the role of oxidative stress in normal human physiology and in the development of conditions and diseases. You will examine the basic biochemical mechanisms involved in oxidative stress and injury and discover how the human body can protect itself against this. You will also explore the development of pharmacological interventions which have the potential to reduce oxidant injury, for example antioxidant enzyme mimetics and oxidant injury pathway inhibitors.

• Monitoring Signalling Molecules in Neuroscience

  This module provides you with an overview of signalling mechanisms and how they may be altered through pharmacological intervention, ageing and disease. You will explore the theory, capabilities, limitations and applications of the techniques used in monitoring signalling molecules in vivo and in vitro, including amperometry, fast scan cyclic voltammetry and microdialysis. You will also learn to understand, interpret and critically evaluate the latest scientific literature in this field.

• Ageing: Pathology and Prevention

  This module will explain the current understanding of the causes and features of the degenerative pathology associated with ageing. You will look at the fundamental biology of ageing and the physiological changes that occur with age, for example regarding tissue function and bone density. You will also explore the application, discovery and development of interventions to promote healthy ageing, including lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation.

• Cancer: Bench to Bedside

  This module provides you with an overview of the fundamental biological processes underlying cancer and develops your knowledge of the treatment possibilities provided by our understanding of how cancer works at a biological level. You will cover areas such as risk factors and diagnosis, radiotherapies, immune therapies, psychosocial oncology and in vivo and in vitro cancer models, and get an insight into the journey from diagnosis to treatment to remission.

• Understanding Age-Related CNS Disorders

  This module will provide you with an insight into current research aimed at understanding the mechanisms that drive CNS ageing and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Through discussing primary scientific literature, you will develop an understanding of the future targets for treating a range of CNS diseases, be able to critically evaluate the potential clinical uses of these targets and develop the necessary skills to critique the literature.

• Astrobiology

  This module will give you an overview of current research and theory on astrobiology and expand your understanding of origin of life theories. It will demonstrate how extreme environments and organisms that are able to live in extreme environments provide potential models for extraterrestrial life. You will also learn how experimental techniques can distinguish between biological and non-biological origins of materials from both Earth and space.

• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation

  This module provides an integrated approach to the study of key issues in ecotoxicology and environmental microbiology. You will explore a range of contemporary issues concerning biodegradation, food contamination, water quality, environmental health, bioremediation and current environmental legislation. You’ll look at the key concepts around the safe consumption of food and water and the biological responses to environmental stressors and microbial pollution events.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS is a follow-on course to help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving. You will use the skills learnt in module GYM01 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems to identify and examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Case study topics include suitability modelling using raster-based Boolean approaches; data acquisition using GPS and Differential-GPS; and development of GIS-based decision support systems.

• Water Quality Assessment and Management

  This module introduces you to water quality assessment and management, teaching you skills related to field and laboratory experimental design, measurement of water quality, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting to specialist/non-specialist audiences. It will provide you with experience in the management and presentation of large datasets and you will explore the roles of water safety planning, risk assessment, nature-based management and water treatment. You will also undertake analysis of water samples in the Centre for Aquatic Environments lab.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Staff profile

Dr Angela Sheerin, Course Leader

Working in haematology and volunteering on the orthopaedics ward in a London hospital cemented that the medical sector was where I wanted my career to be in. My first degree is in Biochemistry BSc(Hons) sandwich, from the University of East London. During this degree I undertook a placement year at a London hospital in a Bone and Joint research group and fell for a career in research.

I did my PhD in molecular gerontology; Investigation of the composition of AP-1 during ageing and I came to the University of Brighton in 2000 as a research fellow and now I am a lecturer in the field of ageing, molecular biology, pathobiology, medical genetics, endocrinology and biochemistry.

Having an earlier career in research has allowed me to more effectively see how we can inform our teaching with relevant backdrops which will, hopefully, allow our students to see the bigger picture beyond the subject they are doing and see how it can be used for research.

I am an enthusiastic lecturer who likes to use new and modern technologies to translate knowledge to the students. I believe in 'hands on' practical experience as well as interactive learning through lectures, blended learning and flip learning.

Facilities

You have access to our labs and facilities to support your research, including: 

• primary and cell line culture facilities 
• molecular biology lab with access to qPCR equipment and dark room facility 
• a specialist image analysis suite with electron microscopes, a confocal microscope, atomic force microscopes 
• a genomics / proteomics facility for analysis of genes and proteins using microarray platforms

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.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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