The Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) offers excellent opportunities and facilities for training in research, leading to the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree.The MPhil in Biological Sciences (PDN) is a full-time research degree. Students also attend relevant lectures and seminars and participate in skills development training activities organised by the department and the Graduate School of Life Sciences. The main aims of the course are:to give students with relevant experience at the first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision andto give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.Students usually start their project in October and submit a thesis of not more than 20,000 words by the end of August. We also accept students to start in January and April.By the end of the MPhil, students will have:a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own researchdemonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their fieldshown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies anddemonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research