Department of Biosciences
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.
"At Durham we provide an outstanding environment for research and education in animal, plant and microbial 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
Undergraduate Study
Our teaching is broad, from molecular structures to landscape-scale population dynamics, reflecting major questions in biology. Students can specialise in areas of interest, but develop a breadth of understanding and practical training, whether in the lab, in the field or in industry.


Postgraduate Study
Join a strong and vibrant postgraduate community for training in modern research techniques using state-of-the-art research infrastructure. Students are supervised for Masters or PhD programmes by supervisors who are world experts in their fields.
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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Scientists show impact of human activity on bird species

Congratulations to Steve Willis and Phil Stephens, co-lead authors on a study published today in Ecological Indicators.
(25 Jan 2021) » More about Scientists show impact of human activity on bird species
More than a million barriers on Europe’s rivers
Congratulations to Dr Martyn Lucas and a team of researchers whose research linked to the AMBER project, a large collaborative Horizon 2020 project have had their results published today in Nature.

(17 Dec 2020) » More about More than a million barriers on Europe’s rivers
Thursday 28 January 2021
- Investigating transmission of the diarrheal pathogen, Cryptosporidium 1:00pm, via Zoom, Dr Mattie Pawlowic, Dundee University, UK, Contact brian.a.suarez-mantilla@durham.ac.uk
Thursday 4 February 2021
- Fe-eling good – iron uptake and storage in T. gondii 1:00pm, via Zoom, Dr Clare Harding, University of Glasgow, UK, Contact p.w.denny@durham.ac.uk
Thursday 11 February 2021
- Talk by Prof Cyril Zipfel, University of Zurich, Switzerland 1:00pm, via Zoom, Prof Cyril Zipfel, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Contact m.r.knight@durham.ac.uk
Thursday 18 February 2021
- Talk by Prof Liana Zanette, Western University, Canada 1:00pm, via Zoom, Prof Liana Zanette, Western University, Canada, Contact luke.b.hecht@durham.ac.uk