Natural 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 main focus of your studies is your specialist research project. Topics range from the chemical synthesis of novel anti-ageing compounds, to bioanalytical evaluation of neurological phenomena, to fieldwork exploring human-animal interactions.

You will also develop your understanding of research literature and the wider research community through our specialist journal clubs with seminars from expert speakers as well as more informal student-led presentations.

Taught modules support your research specialism, developing your knowledge and skills in your chosen field with learning in small, participatory groups.

The Natural Sciences MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 140 credits through the completion of the research project, 30 credits from taught modules and 10 credits from the journal club.

Areas of study

Core modules

• Research project

One from:

• Evaluating Research in Biosciences
• Current Research in Chemistry
• Current Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Issues in Ecology and Conservation

Options

• Controversies in Science
• Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers
• Physical Chemistry Frontiers
• Organic Chemistry Frontiers
• Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry
• Applied Protein Biochemistry
• Clinical Microbiology in the Post-antimicrobial Era
• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
• Viruses and Human Cancer: the Evolution of an Idea
• Ecology and Conservation in Practice: Work Placement
• Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices
• Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills
• Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Industrial Manufacturing Processes
• Psychopharmacology and Mental Health
• 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
• Novel Medicinal Products: A Clinical Perspective
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Case Studies in Environment Assessment and Management
• Water Quality Analysis 
• Intro to GIS
• Applications of GIS

Staff profile

Dr Matthew Ingram, course leader

"I studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Leeds, before moving into the pharmaceutical industry via a PhD at the School of Pharmacy and Chemistry at Liverpool John Moores University.

"My PhD research was in novel nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory drugs. I then moved into an academic career and joined the University of Brighton as a senior lecturer.

"During my time here I have supervised PhD students, attracted funding for research and been an admissions tutor. I have also acted as an external examiner for masters degrees and PhD degrees both in the UK and overseas."

Facilities 

Our specialist facilities include:

• teaching laboratories equipped with instruments for high-performance liquid and gas chromatography, atomic emission, UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy
• nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry
• electron microscopy
• modern synthetic and analytical chemistry equipment
• specialist research equipment (for use in projects)
• access to environmental research facilities.

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our biosciences facilities.

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