MPhil Plant Biology

Research in our School of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum of biology from genes to ecosystems, and this broad-based structure provides opportunities for developing novel ideas and inter-disciplinary projects. Our staff have expertise in photosynthesis, plant productivity, plant ecophysiology and cell signalling and can offer supervision of projects in these areas. We use a variety of approaches to identify key genes and processes that determine productivity in plants in constantly changing environmental conditions.

As a research student at Essex, you will work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged, well-resourced and well-connected research community. We offer world-class supervision and training opportunities, and encourage you to engage with other researchers, professionals, practitioners and research users, where possible, for example using the generous funding from Proficio to attend conferences and training courses.

The aim of undertaking your MPhil within our School of Life Sciences is to train independent researchers who can critically assess other research work and have a comprehensive knowledge of at least one area of biology. An MPhil involves a minimum of two years of full-time research or four years part-time followed by the production of a thesis. Students enrolled on an MPhil programme can upgrade to a PhD subject to satisfactory progress.

Many of our postgraduates continue their scientific research by taking up postdoctoral positions in the UK and overseas. Others go on to work with industry or governmental and non-governmental organisations. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.