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.

News

Events

News

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.