Plant Sciences DPhil

The DPhil in Plant Sciences allows graduates to undertake both fundamental and applied research in topics across the breadth of plant science. You will gain a wide range of research skills as well as in-depth knowledge and expertise in your chosen field of research.

As a graduate student you will be embedded in the research groups of one or more members of academic staff who act as your supervisors and provide the bulk of the research guidance and training.

Alongside your research work, you will receive a number of training courses in your first and second years designed to develop skills you will need as a scientist and more general transferable skills. These include courses on critical analysis of the literature, scientific writing, presentation skills, as well as foundation courses in plant biodiversity, bioinformatics and statistics, if appropriate. All students undertake this training as a cohort so you will gain the benefit of working with your year group from across the department.

The department has a friendly and vibrant graduate community which provides a welcoming network to new students. The graduate student community offers a supportive environment, both social and scientific, allowing new graduates to develop into well-rounded and confident scientists. Graduates are a valued part of the department’s research community and their work is showcased annually at the departmental Graduate Symposium.