Course summary

The Department of Zoology is home to a community of researchers from a great diversity of disciplines, ranging from cell and developmental biology to field ecology and conservation. Evolutionary biology is a major focus of our work. We share an interest in whole organisms, and in how systems interact across different levels of organisation to generate the complexity of form, function and behaviour that is observed in the living world. Much of our work is underpinned by questions about evolution and an appreciation of the importance of the interactions between living organisms and their environments. The MPhil degree is a one-year full-time, or two years part-time, course of research, culminating in the submission of a thesis after 11 months (after 22 months if part-time), followed by a viva voce examination. There are no taught components to this course but students do attend appropriate lectures and courses including training and transferable skills. Students are supervised by at least one member of the academic staff who is an expert in the student's field of study. Supervisors support students in developing an independent and novel project in their field of interest. Students will learn how to review relevant literature, to phrase and answer scientific questions, and how to report their findings to the scientific community, at conferences and through peer-reviewed scientific publications. We very much encourage students to get experience in undergraduate teaching, which can be either as demonstrators during practical classes or supervisors teaching small groups. At the end of their degree, students will produce a written thesis, which will be assessed by independent experts during a viva. The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are: to give students with relevant experience at the first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests. Most candidates taking this course start in October, in order to take advantage of Departmental and University induction programmes, but admission in January or April is also possible. Please note: part-time study may not always be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before making an application for this mode of study.