MPhil Environmental Biology

Research in our School of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum of biology from genes to ecosystems, and this broad-based structure provides opportunities for developing novel ideas and inter-disciplinary projects. Our staff have expertise and can offer supervision of projects across areas such as environmental microbiology, photosynthesis, plant productivity, ecology, and marine and environmental science.

As a research student at Essex, you’ll work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. We offer world-class supervision and training opportunities, and encourage you to engage with other researchers, professionals, practitioners, and research users, where possible for example using the generous funding from Proficio to attend conferences and training courses.

Assessment

The aim of undertaking your MPhil within our School of Life Sciences is to train independent researchers who can critically assess other research work and have a comprehensive knowledge of at least one area of biology.

An MPhil involves a minimum of two years of full-time research or four years part-time followed by the production of a thesis. Students enrolled on an MPhil programme can upgrade to a PhD subject to satisfactory progress.

Your future

Many of our postgraduates continue their scientific research by taking up postdoctoral positions in the UK and overseas. Others go on to work with industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations, and environmental agencies. We support your career development by a mentoring scheme and employability events.

You will need a good honours degree or a Masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject. A well-developed research proposal is also essential.