About the course

This programme aims to train you in cutting-edge laboratory research applying techniques in bionanotechnology, biophysics, computational biology, microscopy, molecular biology, structural biology and systems biology to a broad range of fields including cell biology, chromosome biology, drug discovery, epigenetics, host-pathogen interactions, membrane proteins, ion channels and transporters, and RNA biology.

You will be admitted directly to a particular research area led by departmental members who will be appointed MSc by Research supervisors. Students who have been admitted to a particular research supervisor will not normally do laboratory rotations. You will be based in a research lab and undertake research on a subject agreed with your supervisor.

There are no taught courses examined by written papers, but you will have access to a wide range of lecture courses at a taught master’s level and foundation or preliminary level, as appropriate. If you have changed fields, this will enable you to fill in gaps in your background knowledge. There is also a wide range of courses and workshops which you can attend to acquire skills that will be necessary for the pursuance and presentation of your research, as well as your professional development as a research scientist.

Assessment

You will begin your course as a probationary research student and near the end of your first year you will apply to transfer to MSc by Research status. This involves writing a short report on your research progress and statement of future research plans and giving a presentation. This will be assessed by two independent experts, who interview you as part of the process. Continuation in the programme is subject to passing the Transfer of Status exam.

If you wish, you may attempt to transfer to DPhil status instead of MSc by Research status at the end of your first year. To transfer to DPhil status, you are required to follow the same procedure as probationary research students on the DPhil in Biochemistry and must have supporting statements from your supervisor(s) and college.

Graduate destinations

Approximately 90% of alumni completing in the years 2008 to 2015 have gone on to pursue a career within academic or industrial research. Other graduates hold positions within a variety of sectors including patent law, scientific publishing and teaching.

The Department of Biochemistry has an active alumni network, with regular events held in Oxford and London where past and current members of the department have the opportunity to meet and share ideas.