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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.

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Our Research

What's new?

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British Ecological Society awards Founders' Prize to Dr Rebecca Senior

We are delighted to announce that Dr Rebecca Senior from our Department of Biosciences has been awarded the Founders' Prize by the British Ecological Society.

Research news
R Senior

New study finds European breeding birds respond slowly to recent climate change

In a new study, leading scientists from our Department of Biosciences have found that local colonisation and extinction of European breeding birds are very weakly influenced by climate change.
Research news
European bird - white tailed eagle

Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology awarded £1m grant from Wolfson Foundation

Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology is one of the country’s leading centres for crop research, with a long-standing internationally recognised record of research excellence.
Research news
wolfson grant crop

Strengthening and expanding protected areas of existing parks is crucial for biodiversity conservation

In a new study, bioscientists argue that strengthening the protection given to areas already protected under law or by local communities is as critical for safeguarding biodiversity as creating new protected areas.
Research news
Protected area for at risk species

Our scientists are supporting Durham Cathedral to bring swifts to nest

Leading scientists from our Department of Biosciences and Mathematical Sciences are encouraging breeding swifts to nest by setting up high powered speakers in Durham Cathedral’s iconic Belfry Tower.
Durham news
Cathedral swifts

New study foresees threat of invasive species in UK’s Overseas Territories

A leading scientist from our Department of Biosciences has collaborated with researchers from UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology to predict which invasive species could pose a future threat to the UK’s ecologically unique Overseas Territories.
Global research
St Helena

Scientists decrypt the ‘mechanical code’ of DNA

Our highly-rated Department of Biosciences has helped to decipher the mechanical code of DNA.
Global research
DNA code
More Biosciences News

British Ecological Society awards Founders' Prize to Dr Rebecca Senior

We are delighted to announce that Dr Rebecca Senior from our Department of Biosciences has been awarded the Founders' Prize by the British Ecological Society.

R Senior

New study finds European breeding birds respond slowly to recent climate change

In a new study, leading scientists from our Department of Biosciences have found that local colonisation and extinction of European breeding birds are very weakly influenced by climate change.
European bird - white tailed eagle

Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology awarded £1m grant from Wolfson Foundation

Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology is one of the country’s leading centres for crop research, with a long-standing internationally recognised record of research excellence.
wolfson grant crop