The MPhil in Biological Sciences provides students with an opportunity to undertake a period of study and research in Developmental Biology. This remarkably cross-disciplinary research area spans traditional departmental boundaries and many different technologies, such as genetics, epigenetics, cell and stem cell biology, metabolism, evolution, molecular biology, imaging and bioinformatics. The field is increasingly significant in this era of readily available genome sequences, along with high content transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic data. A major challenge now is to find more powerful, systematic and quantitative ways of investigating how this information is translated into morphogenetic instructions, and to analyse how these instructions generate and are modulated by the forces that shape tissues and organs in animals and plants. Embracing this challenge, the course offers a powerful opportunity to explore processes and mechanisms across a range of developmental model systems. Participating research groups work with a variety of vertebrate, invertebrate, plant, organoid and stem cell-based models.
The course draws upon the breadth and international strengths in developmental biology within the University of Cambridge and associated research institutes; notably the Departments of Biochemistry, Genetics, PDN (Physiology, Development and Neuroscience), Plant Sciences, Zoology, the Gurdon Institute, the Sainsbury Laboratory and the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute.
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 Developmental Biology.
The MPhil course adopts interactive and discussion-based teaching, much of which is seminar-style where student participation and discussion are strongly encouraged. This is complemented with extensive lab-based training during a research project (up to 32 weeks + 6 weeks' writing up time) with students integrated into one of the many participating research groups (selected after starting the MPhil, having been introduced to projects and supervisors).
The main aims are to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to:
carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision;
acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests;
be introduced to the skills of experimental design, project management and time management that are needed in research;
become familiar with the practicalities of laboratory research, including record keeping, data handling and professional laboratory practice;
learn analytical techniques needed to understand and contextualise their research;
familiarise themselves 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 and to satisfy the Postgraduate Education Committee for the Faculty or Department they are applying to that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.
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