Biosciences MRes

About the course

This MRes allows you to choose your specialist area within the UCL Division of Biosciences, embed yourself in the most relevant research group, and complete a year-long major research project. The course structure closely matches that of a first year PhD and helps you develop the generic and specialised skills to launch your research career.

Choosing from one of the subject streams listed below, you’ll spend most of your time on the programme developing your practical skills in the lab environment. Under the supervision of a senior investigator, you’ll access the same experiences, opportunities and research culture enjoyed by doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in your group, attending meetings and presenting your findings.

Whichever stream you choose, you’ll also complete taught modules designed to develop your independent research abilities. You’ll learn how to peer-review scientific papers, practice effective science communication for a range of audiences, and explore other areas of bioscience to help you stay open to multidisciplinary approaches.  

The specialist subject streams are:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biology of Ageing and Age-related disease
• Cell Biology
• Circuits and Systems Neuroscience
• Computational Biology
• Evolution and Origins of Life
• Integrative Anatomy: Vertebrate form, Function and Evolution
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
• Stem Cell and Developmental Genetics
• Structural Biology and Biophysics

The Division includes the Departments of Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB), Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology (NPP), Genetics, Evolution & Environment (GEE) and Structural & Molecular Biology (SMB) and hosts the Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, the UCL Genetics Institute and the Institute for Healthy Ageing. Visit the departmental websites for further information.

Visit our prospectus page to find out more:

Meet the programme lead

Professor David Murrell

David Murrell is a Professor of Theoretical Biology. He is interested in many questions regarding the ecology and evolution of the natural world, and his work often sits at the interfaces of ecology, evolution, and mathematics.

Find out more about Prof David Murrell.