The Department of Zoology brings together researchers from a great diversity of disciplines, ranging from cell biology to field ecology. What unites us is an interest in the whole organism, and in how systems interact across different levels of organisation to generate the complexity of form, function and behaviour that is observed in the living world. Evolution is a theme that underpins and unites much of our work, as does an appreciation of the interaction between living organisms and their environments.The MPhil degree is a one-year full-time course of research, culminating in the submission of a thesis after 11 months, followed by a viva voce examination. There are no taught components to this course but students do attend appropriate lectures and courses including training and transferable skills.The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:to give students with relevant experience at the first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision andto give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.By the end of the programme, 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.