Course summary

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 take into account 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 the National Institute for Agricultural Botany (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 will draw upon the breadth and international strengths in crop science within the University of Cambridge and associated research institutes; notably the Departments of Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology Development and Neuroscience, Zoology, the Gurdon Institute, the Sainsbury Laboratory, NIAB and the Sainsbury Laboratory, as well as the Judge Business School 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 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 groups).