The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

  • to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed 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.

In addition to the research training provided within the department, as part of the Graduate School of Life Sciences students will have access to courses to widen their experience and to enable them to acquire generic skills.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

  • a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
  • demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
  • shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
  • demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Continuing

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to pass the master's degree at a sufficient level to satisfy the departmental graduate education committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.