Department of Biosciences

The study of the biosciences has never been more important.

Welcome to the Department of Biosciences at Durham

Our research and teaching addresses fundamentally important questions facing humankind, from food security to sustainability in industrial processes, mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and the impact of climate change on life on earth. Our students develop a wide range of analytical and practical skills that prepare them to meet these challenges.

Find out more about us

5th The Complete University Guide 2023

100% internationally recognised research environment (REF 2021)

6th (Biosciences) in The Guardian’s Best Universities 2022 league table

Athena Swan Bronze Award

Study with Us

Undergraduate Study

Our teaching is broad, from molecular structures to landscape-scale population dynamics, reflecting major questions in biology.
Postgraduate Study

Join a strong and vibrant postgraduate community for training in modern research techniques using state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

Undergraduate Study

Our teaching is broad, from molecular structures to landscape-scale population dynamics, reflecting major questions in biology.

Postgraduate Study

Join a strong and vibrant postgraduate community for training in modern research techniques using state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

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Work with us

We welcome new members to our team, bringing new approaches to answering biological questions.

The freedom to pursue your research interest, and to make that part of your teaching, is a valuable feature of what we offer to our team and, through them, to our students. You will also find that Durham’s interdisciplinary approach to research brings fresh perspectives to your own work.

See our recruitment page for more opportunities

Research

Our research covers the breadth of the biological sciences, from cell and molecular biology in animals, plants, and microbes; to ecology, evolution and the environment. We often work at the interface with other disciplines such as the physical sciences, supported by outstanding research infrastructure in genomics, bioimaging and mass spectrometry, and plant and animal growth facilities.

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Groups

Services and Collaboration

DBS Genomics

Contact Us

Greenhouse designed for growing GM crops

Explore our Facilities and Equipment

News

Climate change might make winter bird migration a thing of the past

Congratulations to Professor Steve Willis and Kieran Lawrence on their paper just published in Global Change Biology.

Read more

Research news
Understanding the relationship between dementia and COVID-19 risk

Georgia Walsh, a third year Biological Sciences student performed a BPS-funded summer placement in Dr Paul Chazot's lab probing a potential new Durham University “spin out” drug for treating Parkinsons disease. Georgia is the deputy lead of the new Durham University Parkinsons Pals community support programme, the first in the UK.

Read more

Research news
Infrared light therapy might aid dementia patients

Research led by Dr Paul Chazot on a new infrared light therapy that might have the potential to help people with dementia.

Read more

Research news

Climate change might make winter bird migration a thing of the past

Congratulations to Professor Steve Willis and Kieran Lawrence on their paper just published in Global Change Biology.

Research news

Understanding the relationship between dementia and COVID-19 risk

Georgia Walsh, a third year Biological Sciences student performed a BPS-funded summer placement in Dr Paul Chazot's lab probing a potential new Durham University “spin out” drug for treating Parkinsons disease. Georgia is the deputy lead of the new Durham University Parkinsons Pals community support programme, the first in the UK.

Research news

Infrared light therapy might aid dementia patients

Research led by Dr Paul Chazot on a new infrared light therapy that might have the potential to help people with dementia.

Research news

More news

At Durham, we provide an outstanding environment for research and education in animal, plant and bacterial biology encompassing expertise from the atomic to whole ecosystem scale. Trained by Durham Biosciences in the skills and knowledge required, our students are able to succeed in a wide range of careers or training environments and help society tackle the challenges for the future.

Professor Martin Cann

Head of Department