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The Department of Plant Sciences is an outstanding University Centre for research in plant and microbial sciences. It offers excellent research and training opportunities in the following areas of plant and microbial science:
- Cell function and responses to the environment
- Developmental biology and signalling
- Genetics and epigenetics
- Ecosystem function and conservation
- Evolution and diversity
- Microbiology and biotic interactions
- Plant pathology and epidemiology
- Systems and mathematical biology
- Enhancing photosynthesis
- Biotechnology and engineering
The Crop Science Centre is an alliance between the University of Cambridge's Department of Plant Sciences and the crop research organisation NIAB. It is a global hub for crop science research and a base for collaborations with research partners worldwide.
The research MPhil degree essentially follows the PhD format but is compressed into one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). The work consists of research and courses as required under academic supervision. Applicants should contact a potential Supervisor before proceeding with their MPhil application. You can browse the personal/group pages of the Research Group Leaders to check the details of their research.
The course aims to provide master's-level training in practical aspects of Plant Sciences, augmented by appropriate lecture courses delivered within the department.
The course provides training in a wide range of disciplines, including plant genetic engineering, plant development, plant molecular biology, plant biochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, microbiology, plant ecology, crop biology, plant virology, plant epigenetics, epidemiology, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, eco-physiology, and bioinformatics.
Having identified a research area of interest and contacted the appropriate Supervisor, the first stage in developing an application should be to draft an appropriate research summary of the training to be undertaken.
MPhil students must submit a thesis for examination within the maximum period of their study.
All postgraduate students attend induction and safety training courses in the department.
In addition to undertaking their research, students will attend relevant courses and lectures, such as instrumentation, sequencing and database use, statistics, experimental design, analysing data, writing reports and a thesis, and giving effective scientific presentations. Students are also expected to take part in the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences' Researcher Development Programme.
Students receive termly reports on their work.
Learning Outcomes
The primary outcomes from successfully completing the MPhil include:
- specialist training in experimental or theoretical methods
- an ability to analyse relevant literature and apply it to the development of innovative research
- capacity to develop and apply data abstraction and analytical procedures with an appropriate level of statistical validation
- independence in designing and conducting original research, and preparing that data in a format suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- enhanced organisational skills in terms of time management, good laboratory practices, safety and planning of a specific programme of research
MPhil candidates are required to draft a project proposal within four weeks of starting the course, deliver a seminar, and prepare a thesis plan before their thesis submission deadline.
As an MPhil student, the student must keep a separate training log in which they will record all seminars and lectures attended and given, training undertaken, the highlights of their research work, and notes of discussions with their Supervisor(s). This log will be quite distinct from the laboratory notebook(s), which should contain all the details of the students' research work.
The Master's thesis has a word limit set at 20,000 words, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices.
The MPhil provides specialist training in scientific methodology relevant to the project subject area and based on the expertise of the Supervisor and research group. This training also enables students from other scientific areas to pursue a career in plant sciences and other allied areas. General training is also available and includes courses and lectures in instrumentation, sequencing and database use, statistics, experimental design, analysing data, writing reports and a thesis, and how to give effective scientific presentations. The training in research and preparation of the Master's thesis will provide an excellent foundation for those wishing to continue onto a PhD programme.
Continuing
Students are welcome to apply to continue to a PhD. There is no automatic continuation from an MPhil to a PhD; a new application must be made following the identification of a suitable Supervisor. A formal offer of admission to the PhD will usually depend on your performance in the MPhil and evidence of your ability to fund your PhD studies.
Open Days
The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:
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Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.
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Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.
For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.