Postgraduate Prospectus

www.essex.ac.uk/bs | Biological Sciences
Why study biological
sciences at Essex?
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A lively department with over
50 academic staff, delivering
high quality teaching and
research over a wide spectrum
of biological sciences
Research teams working at the
forefront of their fields with
international quality research in
environmental biology, molecular
biophysics and molecular medicine
Part of the University’s accredited
Doctoral Training Centre of the
Economic and Social Research
Council (ESRC), with a number
of ESRC studentships available
for new postgraduates
A unique multidisciplinary
environment that enables
us to offer a range of modular,
interdisciplinary taught courses
Excellent modern facilities,
including a wide range of
state-of-the-art equipment for
postgraduate research studies
Career Prospects
Our graduates go on to a
range of careers. Some work in
biomedical laboratories and in
the biotechnology industry, both
in research and development,
and in sales. Other careers include
work with governmental and
non-governmental environmental
agencies and organisations, or
teaching in schools and colleges.
Postgraduate study is often
a requirement for becoming a
researcher, scientist, academic
journal editor and to work in some
public bodies or private companies.
About our Department
We have an international reputation
for our outstanding record of teaching
and research. The quality of our work
is reflected in our large number of
publications in high profile journals, such
as Nature, Science, Proceedings of the
National Academy USA, Journal of
Biological Chemistry, Molecular Cell, Plant
Cell, Limnology and Oceanography and
Environmental Microbiology. Several of our
staff have active leadership roles in learned
societies and are editors of leading journals.
Our research is subdivided into common
areas: environmental biology, molecular
biophysics and molecular medicine. This
brings together our groups of like-minded
researchers who share equipment
and ideas.
Our Environmental Biology Research Group
addresses key global issues including
climate change, ocean acidification and
sustainability in agriculture and coastal
ecosystems. We study the interactions of
microbes, animals and plants with each
other and with their environment, working
from the genetic and cellular level through
to whole organisms and ecosystems. Our
research includes the responses of marine
phytoplankton to ocean acidification,
identification of specialised microbes
useful in rescuing environments polluted
by petrochemicals, the ecology and
sustainability of agricultural and coastal
ecosystems (eg salt marshes, mangroves
and coral reefs) and improvement of crop
productivity under drought and high light
conditions. We engage with external
organisations, including industry, applying
the results of our research to maximize the
benefits to society.
Our Molecular Biophysics Group employs
an array of techniques to understand
how molecular systems function. Our
approaches are primarily biophysical, which
means we use physical chemistry, physics
and computational methods to study
biological systems. We are a cohesive
group that work on a range of interests.
Our Molecular Medicine Group carries out
research at the basic-clinical interface and
employs techniques for studying diseases
at molecular and cellular level. We have
projects on cancer biology, viruses and
infection, bacterial infection, basic and
reproductive immunology, translational
and clinical proteomics, bioimaging
and bioinformatics.
We form part of Essex’s interdisciplinary
Doctoral Training Centre, recently
designated by the UK’s Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC) and
one of only 21 in the UK. This means
some of our courses have ESRC Doctoral
Training Centre accreditation, and a number
of ESRC studentships are available for new
students to begin an MSc or MA, followed
by a PhD, with us (1+3).
Many of our Masters students progress
to PhD and approximately 40 per cent of
our postgraduates continue in research,
those with PhDs usually as post-doctoral
researchers in universities and
research institutes.
For other careers, an MSc or PhD
helps your application stand out. Our
postgraduates develop transferable
skills that are desirable in many jobs and
include problem-solving, self-motivation,
independence, working to deadlines,
producing reports and communication
skills. The numerical and analytical key
skills allow you to go into scientific
publishing and scientific administration,
and also sales and marketing.
Taught courses
MSc Biotechnology•
With over ten years experience of delivering
this subject, we have established ourself as
offering one of the most popular and highly
regarded courses in biotechnology in the
UK. We equip you with advanced training
in cutting-edge ‘omics’ technology that is
highly valued by employers in both
academia and the commercial sector.
The flexible modular structure of our course
allows specialisation in industrial, microbial,
Postgraduate Prospectus 2012 | 67