The MPhil in Biological Sciences provides students with an opportunity to undertake a period of study and research in Crop Science, one of the Faculty’s key research pathways.
Global food security sits at a nexus. Do we continue with unsustainable practices benefiting farmers in high and middle income countries, while small-holders barely produce enough to support themselves? Or can we find a new way for agriculture that delivers food in an equitable and sustainable manner? Envisioning agriculture in 2050 needs to consider the global population, the planets’ biodiversity, global climate change and the current inequities in the system.
The MPhil in Crop Science will explore new ways of thinking about what agriculture should be in 2050 and how we might get to that point. We will take a broad view of potential solutions, with an emphasis on practical, scientific approaches, from genetic engineering to regenerative agriculture. Field-based study is made possible through our partnership with Niab. Our aim is to train future leaders to take creative approaches to global food security.
A major theme of the course will be connecting knowledge across scales to provide the students with an integrated perspective on food security that spans plant biology, global ecology, conservation and economics.
The course draws upon the breadth and international strengths in crop science within the Department of Plant Sciences, the Crop Sciences Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge and Niab along with associated research institutes; notably the Departments of Biochemistry, Genetics, Zoology, the Gurdon Institute, and the Centre for Development Studies.
Completing this MPhil will be a springboard for entry into a wide range of careers, including advanced research in industry or academic settings.
The MPhil is offered by the Faculty of Biology as a full-time period of study and research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge in Crop Science.
The MPhil course adopts interactive and discussion-based teaching, much of which is seminar-style or workshops where student participation and discussion are strongly encouraged. This is complemented with extensive lab-based training through a research project (up to 32 weeks + 6 weeks writing up time) during which students are integrated into one of the many participating research groups (following an introduction available projects and groups).
The main aims are to give students with relevant experience the opportunity:
to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision;
to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests;
to be introduced to the skills of experimental design, project management and time management that are needed in research;
to become familiar with the practicalities of laboratory research, including record keeping, data handling and professional laboratory practice;
to learn analytical techniques needed to understand and contextualise their research;
to become familiar with scientific writing and presentation skills.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate:
- advanced knowledge and understanding of the biological and biomedical sciences relevant to the study of their specialisation;
- in-depth knowledge of an aspect of their specialisation;
- a broad understanding of modern research techniques and thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their research topic;
- knowledge of the theoretical approaches relevant to their specialisation and training in critical thinking in the area;
- expertise in research methods and analysis of research data;
- originality in the application of knowledge, together with the practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field.
Continuing
Students wishing to progress to the PhD after completing this MPhil course must apply via the University's online portal. They will be required to pass the MPhil degree at a sufficient level to satisfy the Postgraduate Education Committee for the Faculty or Department they are applying to, to demonstrate that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.
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