Integrated / New Route PhD in Postgenomic Biosciences

Department of Biology & Biochemistry

University of Bath

This four-year integrated PhD programme includes, in addition to all the attributes of the normal three-year PhD programme, a substantive element of taught modules, professional training and training in laboratory skills. It is part of a national scheme pioneered by some of the UKs leading universities and generically known as “New Route PhD”. This programme has been approved by the national steering group of the PhD Consortium.

Each student will have a personalized route through the programme designed in conjunction with the Director of Studies and the research supervisors. By careful selection of taught units and laboratory projects it is possible to specialize in one of a wide range of sub-disciplines such as Structural Molecular Biology; Cell or Developmental Biology; Plant Molecular Biology; Postgenomic Microbiology; Insect Molecular Biology; Molecular Evolution, etc.

The first year of the programme follows either the MRes in BioSciences or the MRes in Regenerative Medicine. One of the research projects will normally be with your chosen supervisors. The second research project must be with a different supervisor but can be in a related area. Alternatively, you can arrive without having specified a supervisor and decide while you are here. In the second year four taught units at M-level must be taken that will further strengthen and broaden your knowledge base. Over the two years some non-science units must be taken and these can be from a range of topics that include, for example, Ethics and Strategic Issues in Higher Education.

The overall structure of the programme is as follows:
Year 1 (MRes year): Four Taught units from a wide choice One Research Training Unit One Key Literature Review and Research Proposal
Two laboratory projects (3 days a week equivalent for 2 x 20 weeks)
Year 2: Commence main research project (70% of time) 4 M-level Taught Units that must include some non-science units
Years 3-4: Continue full-time research work to PhD and submission of a thesis within four years of starting.

Entrance Qualifications: Students should normally have a good 2.1 or higher first degree or equivalent in an appropriate biological science. Students may enter the Programme of Study with a taught Master's degree in an appropriate subject. For those with English as a second language a minimum overall IELTS score of at least 6.5 (or equivalent) is normally required. Pre-sessional English language training may be offered to help some applicants to obtain this level of attainment.

Registration Students will initially be registered on a MRes degree and will normally be transferred to MPhil registration after one year and onto PhD registration after two years.
Conditions/criteria for transfer from MRes to MPhil/PhD are:
-acheiving an overall mark of at least 60% in the MRes programme
-being accepted onto the MPhil/PhD element of the programme by a named supervisory team.

For information, please contact the Postgraduate Administrator