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Department of Biosciences

MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise

Our taught Masters programme provides essential learning, expertise and business skills for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

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Invertebrate pests on a leaf

Postgraduate Study

Biosciences is a vibrant, research-led department with a focus on the science underpinning global challenges. 

We support a broad-based, sustainability-centred research strategy, informed by scientific advances and national and international priorities. We focus on the science underpinning global challenges in climate change, food security, global health, sustainable bio-manufacturing, biodiversity and replacing animal models in research. In this time of change the study of the biosciences has never been more important.

We have a dynamic community of over one-hundred postgraduate students, who come from all over the world to conduct their research and develop their skills. Research covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and is supported by outstanding research infrastructure in genomics, bioimaging and mass spectrometry, and plant and animal growth facilities. We encourage prospective PhD students to make informal contact with potential supervisors to discuss their interests at an early stage.

We offer two research degrees, PhD (by research) and MSc (by research), and a taught MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise.

Nerve cells derived from human stem cells

At Durham, we provide an outstanding environment for research and education in animal, plant and bacterial 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

Study options

We offer two postgraduate study options:

  • Taught MSc degree
  • Research degrees; both PhD and Masters by Research

  • Taught Degree

    Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs on our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
    Cellular and molecular biology

  • Research Degrees

    Pursue your research interest on either our PhD or Masters by Research

Taught Degree

Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs on our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
Cellular and molecular biology

Research Degrees

Pursue your research interest on either our PhD or Masters by Research
Find out more about Postgraduate Study in Durham

Student Experience

A place for you

Small bird on a hand

Our seminar series

Our Students and Staff enjoy attending and participating in our Departmental Seminar series, covering a wide range of biological topics. The seminars give us more opportunities to share, discover, and join in with lively discussions.

Find out more

Our Research

What's new?

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Durham is part of the Northern Eye - the new cryo electron microscope facility in the North East of England

We along with Newcastle University and Northumbria University have been awarded a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ALERT grant to acquire a powerful new cryo-electron microscope (cryoEM).

Research news
Structure of a protein-DNA complex

Probiotic research for infant anaemia receives major funding boost

A new research project to better understand how gut microbiota can help infants with iron deficiencies has secured a major funding boost from UK Research and Innovation.
Research news
An Xray image of the gut

Professor Paul Denny and team win prestigious MRC Outstanding Team Impact Prize

An international team of scientists led by Professor Paul Denny from our top-rated Biosciences and Chemistry departments has made significant strides in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Durham news
Neglected tropical diseases network team members

New study reveals shocking lack of conservation efforts for most threatened plants and animals

A new study from our top-rated Biosciences department, Princeton University, Williams College and Yale University has uncovered a dramatic lack of conservation actions being implemented for thousands of the world's most endangered species.
Research news
Picture of Hainan Peacock

New study reveals man’s best friend has trouble conveying emotions

A new study from our top-rated Biosciences department has found that the process of domestication and selective breeding of domestic dogs may have accidentally diminished their ability to communicate clearly using facial expressions.
Research news
Picture of domestic dogs and their facial expression

Monitoring the UK’s at-risk hedgehogs

We’ve joined a pioneering new three-year pilot to monitor the UK’s hedgehogs and try to reverse the fall in their numbers.
Research news
A hedgehog on the grass facing the camera

Durham researchers’ partner with agricultural innovator to tackle pesticide resistance

Academics and researchers in our Biosciences department are renowned for their world-class research and expertise.
Research news
Picture pesticide control
More Biosciences News

Genomics research provides insights into the recent hybrid origin of Oxford ragwort

Congratulations to Dr Adrian Brennan on his new research just published in Current Biology.

Ragwort flower

Durham is part of the Northern Eye - the new cryo electron microscope facility in the North East of England

We along with Newcastle University and Northumbria University have been awarded a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ALERT grant to acquire a powerful new cryo-electron microscope (cryoEM).
Structure of a protein-DNA complex

Probiotic research for infant anaemia receives major funding boost

A new research project to better understand how gut microbiota can help infants with iron deficiencies has secured a major funding boost from UK Research and Innovation.
An Xray image of the gut