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MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise

Our taught Masters programme provides essential learning, expertise and business skills for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

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Invertebrate pests on a leaf

Postgraduate Study

Biosciences is a vibrant, research-led department with a focus on the science underpinning global challenges. 

We support a broad-based, sustainability-centred research strategy, informed by scientific advances and national and international priorities. We focus on the science underpinning global challenges in climate change, food security, global health, sustainable bio-manufacturing, biodiversity and replacing animal models in research. In this time of change the study of the biosciences has never been more important.

We have a dynamic community of over one-hundred postgraduate students, who come from all over the world to conduct their research and develop their skills. Research covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and is supported by outstanding research infrastructure in genomics, bioimaging and mass spectrometry, and plant and animal growth facilities. We encourage prospective PhD students to make informal contact with potential supervisors to discuss their interests at an early stage.

We offer two research degrees, PhD (by research) and MSc (by research), and a taught MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise.

Nerve cells derived from human stem cells

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

Study options

We offer two postgraduate study options:

  • Taught MSc degree
  • Research degrees; both PhD and Masters by Research
  • Taught Degree

    Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs on our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
    Cellular and molecular biology
  • Research Degrees

    Pursue your research interest on either our PhD or Masters by Research

Taught Degree

Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs on our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
Cellular and molecular biology

Research Degrees

Pursue your research interest on either our PhD or Masters by Research
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Our seminar series

Our Students and Staff enjoy attending and participating in our Departmental Seminar series, covering a wide range of biological topics. The seminars give us more opportunities to share, discover, and join in with lively discussions.

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What's new?

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Scientists decrypt the ‘mechanical code’ of DNA

Our highly-rated Department of Biosciences has helped to decipher the mechanical code of DNA.
DNA code

Addison Wheeler postdoctoral fellowship recruitment 2022/23

The Institute of Advanced Study has opened the recruitment for the 2022/23 Addison Wheeler postdoctoral fellowship round.
Curving library shelf

Can you help record the UK’s mammal activity?

If you’re interested in conservation and ecology, our MammalWeb project needs your help to chart the activity of the UK’s mammals.
Otters stare at the camera after being caught on a camera trap

Songbirds with unique colours are more likely to be traded as pets – new research

Dr Rebecca Senior from our Department of Biosciences shares her new research on uniquely coloured songbirds and how they could become extinct as a result of pet trade.
Coloured birds

New bid to 'outflank' antimicrobial resistance

A major new project will investigate the defence mechanisms of bacterial cells, to help stop the spread of drug-resistant genes. Resistance to antibiotics (known as antimicrobial resistance) is a growing problem, identified by the World Health Organisation as a top-10 threat facing humanity.
Phage

Congratulations to Phil Stephens who has made the Nature of Scotland Awards shortlist with MammalWeb

MammalWeb, an organisation started in the Department of Biosciences has been shortlisted for two Nature of Scotland awards: innovation and citizen science.
MammalWeb

New study foresees threat of invasive species in UK’s Overseas Territories

Dr Wayne Dawson has collaborated with researchers from UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology to predict which invasive species could pose a future threat to the UK’s ecologically unique Overseas Territories.
St Helena

Working with Zimbabwean farmers to rebuild soils

Dr Steve Chivasa is part of our Biosciences Department and specialises in understanding how plants respond to stressful environments. Here he discusses a project he’s working on to help farmers in Zimbabwe overcome challenges caused by soil degradation.
Image showing soil in cupped hands with a plant out of focus in background