MRes Natural Sciences

Intro

With a focus on building the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills associated with research, our Natural Sciences MRes is a flexible course which allows you to tailor your studies to your research aspirations and development needs.

You have the opportunity to study areas of natural sciences including biology, biomedical science, chemistry, pharmaceutical science, ecology and conservation, or a multidisciplinary combination of these. You can specialise in one of these areas or choose from the wide range of modules on offer (subject to your background knowledge or experience).

Learning with researchers who are experts in their field, you will develop an extensive understanding and advanced knowledge of specific areas of scientific research and techniques. You will apply theory and practical understanding to propose new hypotheses and undertake a major research project designed to test them.

You will work on your project under the supervision of an academic member staff who specialises in your area of research. Working within one or more of our research groups you will learn alongside postdoctoral and other postgraduate researchers with shared interests. And you will develop your lab-based skills using our specialist, multidisciplinary facilities and equipment.

Our CORE research areas include:

Centre for Stress and Age-Related Disease
Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices

Course structure

The main focus of your studies is your specialist research project. Topics range from the chemical synthesis of novel anti-ageing compounds, to bioanalytical evaluation of neurological phenomena, to fieldwork exploring human-animal interactions.

You will also develop your understanding of research literature and the wider research community through our specialist journal clubs with seminars from expert speakers as well as more informal student-led presentations.

Taught modules support your research specialism, developing your knowledge and skills in your chosen field with learning in small, participatory groups.

The Natural Sciences MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 140 credits through the completion of the research project, 30 credits from taught modules and 10 credits from the journal club.

Careers

The course intends to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.

On course completion, you will be equipped with practical research-based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression.