Microbiology impacts numerous aspects of our lives, including ensuring our food is safe, treating and preventing disease, developing green technologies, and tracking the role of microbes in climate change. This research programme can equip students with the skills needed to solve major global challenges such as antibiotic resistance, clean drinking water, and food security, by conducting research in areas such as medical, industrial, and environmental microbiology; molecular, cell, and system biology; recombinant DNA technology; protein biochemistry; structural biology; fermentation; and bioengineering.

Students will have at least one formal meeting with their supervisors each month where progress will be discussed. After three months students are expected to provide an outline of their research proposal, which will be evaluated. Most students are initially enrolled on an MPhil programme, and after the first year they may apply for transfer to a PhD programme via a written report on which they will be orally examined.

The PhD are awarded based on the quality of a student's thesis and their ability to present and successfully defend their research in an oral examination (viva voce). They are expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge, or developed existing theory or understanding.

How You Study

This research programme relies on independent study and research, supervised by an advisory panel of academic staff. The nature of this research will be specific to the subject area, but is expected to investigate a novel question and provide a novel contribution to science.

Most students are initially enrolled on an MPhil programme. After one year, if sufficient progress can be demonstrated, students have the option to transfer to a PhD programme.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Students will have meetings with their academic supervisor at least once a month, but the precise frequency of these will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and stage of programme. Students will also have the opportunity to attend talks and seminars, and to engage with other research-related activities throughout their degree.

How You Are Assessed

Students will have at least one formal meeting with their supervisors each month where progress will be discussed. After three months students are expected to provide an outline of their research proposal, which will be evaluated. Most students are initially enrolled on an MPhil programme, and after the first year they may apply for transfer to a PhD programme via a written report on which they will be orally examined.