Biological Sciences

Postgraduate

If you want to study to MPhil or PhD level, the School has a large and international research community, with some 50 postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. It is supported by research grants, in recent years exceeding £5 million.

Our research programmes cover a broad range of topics, both fundamental and applied, including DNA-protein interactions, protein engineering, molecular biophysics, molecular biology of disease, molecular embryology, molecular design and mode of operation of insecticides, environmental monitoring and biotechnology, microbial decay of materials, phylogenetic studies of marine fungi and marine biology.

You will be linked to University collaborative institutes or research facilities:

PhD projects currently available

We aim to provide you with a challenging project in a dynamic research environment. In addition to regular contact with your research supervisor, you will normally share your findings with fellow students during informal research group meetings. Further day-to-day guidance on experimental procedures and data interpretation is offered by our experienced postdoctoral researchers. There is also significant sharing of expertise with other research groups.

You will develop your research skills through a Faculty-wide Research Methods course leading to the PGCert in Scientific Research Methods in your first year. Attendance at selected undergraduate lectures is also possible if appropriate topics have not been studied in your first degree. The University offers a supportive environment for higher degree study and offers guidance on postgraduate applications via Academic Registry.

You can expect to attend research seminars and present your own work in the later stages of your project. We encourage regular participation at national conferences, with attendance at one international conference during your study period. Presentation of results at such meetings as well as publication in quality journals is encouraged. You may be interested to see our recent publications.

We suggest that you check the scientific periodicals or internet (particularly www.findaphd.com and www.jobs.ac.uk) for studentships that we receive each year from the Research Councils, Charities, and Industry. If you are considering self-funded study, we can offer advice on research opportunities within our research groups. Email: tessa.elliott@port.ac.uk

We welcome applications from overseas students who have already obtained the necessary funding for academic fees, bench fees and living costs from their own governments or their own sources. The School does not have any funding for overseas students and bench fees range from a minimum of £5,000 to £15,000 p.a. For more information on the fees structure, English requirements and the supportive environment we offer international postgraduate students, please consult the University International Recruitment Office.

For details of the current fees for MPhils and PhDs in the School of Biological Sciences following part-time and full-time routes please use the tuition fee look up facility link on the following page: www.port.ac.uk/tuitionfees

Students who have taken undergraduate courses at Portsmouth may qualify for a 20% discount on fees. Please see the following link for details: www.port.ac.uk/fees.pdf

If you need more help contact Tessa Elliott, the School's Postgraduate Course Administrator:

Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2032
Email: tessa.elliott@port.ac.uk