Biosciences MRes/MPhil/PhD

We offer high-quality doctoral training to postgraduate students who wish to pursue an MPhil, MRes or PhD. As a research student, you will work under a supervisor who will assist you in your research and thesis design. An MPhil is a shorter research degree where you will do a research project over one to two years. The PhD involves an independent in-depth research project which allows you to develop additional skills through different training programmes offered by the School. Both MPhil and PhD are assessed by a research thesis. For MRes, it is usually a one-year course that includes both taught modules and a research project. You will also have regular meetings with your supervisor and annual review of your research progress. Current research themes within the School include the development of climate resilient crops; the potential of underutilized crops to contribute to food and nutritional security; reduction of food waste; the molecular basis underlying the susceptibility to non-communicable diseases; the use of microbes for waste recycling; food safety and preservation.

Why choose this programme?

Bioscience is an internationally important and rapidly advancing field offering promising careers for well qualified graduates to make a significant impact in society. Research in the School of Biosciences addresses key global challenges increasingly focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). ‘Bioscience’ includes all aspects of life on earth, from microbes and plants to animals and humans along with the ecosystems and environments in which they co-exist. Knowledge and understanding of bioscience are fundamental in allowing us to develop practical solutions to many key global challenges. With help from the graduate school, postgraduate students in the School of Biosciences are provided with different training courses. These courses will allow you to develop a range of transferable skills in oral and written communication, career management, networking, team working, research methodology and management, information technology, teaching and learning.

The School has excellent links with the UK School providing close contact with world class researchers from both campuses. UNM’s training closely follows our academics research topics meaning that your learning will be up to date, relevant and applicable to the global issues of today. Most of our academic staff are research active with well-connected national and international research collaborations. We constantly strive to incorporate the latest state of the art technologies into our research.