MRes Evolution and Genomics

Key details

MRES EVOLUTION AND GENOMICS

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Research

Duration (years)

This course provides extensive conceptual understanding and diverse practical experience within evolutionary biology and genomics. The unique, world-leading expertise available across the Norwich Research Park including UEA, will provide you with excellent training in all aspects of modern evolutionary studies, including genomics and phenomics, from experimental design to bioinformatics, and spanning field and laboratory systems. You will be part of vibrant cohort of similar students, embedded within a dynamic research community.

A major component will be performing an independent research project with a research leader of your choice. Upon completion, you will be exceptionally well qualified as a PhD candidate for national and international PhDs within this area.

You will also have a diverse range of transferable skills and understanding that will enhance your employability in industry, government and non-government organisations.

About

You will benefit from the exceptionally strong academic expertise and experience in evolution and genomics, at UEA and the other institutions across the Norwich Research Park (NRP).

Topics covered by research in the different labs include the following examples:

Evolutionary biology of ageing
Sexual selection and sexual conflict
Evolutionary genetics and genomics
Conservation genetics/genomics
Microbiology and microbiomics
Plant genetics/genomics and crop breeding
Population genetic/genomics
Biodiversity research

The course will equip you with the necessary skills to proceed to a PhD and establish a career in academia. Alternatively, it will allow you to pursue positions within industry, government and non-governmental organisations engaged in a diverse array of topics – from human health to conservation biology – with skills including project management, data analyse, bioinformatics etc.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Assessment is varied and comprises essays, literature reviews, analytical assignments, conduct during research, research reports and oral presentations.

Each module contains several items of summative assessment proceeded by formative work. You complete formative assessments early in all four modules and receive extensive feedback as soon as possible thereafter, so that you are able to act on this when submitting the related summative work.

Feedback can also take the form of oral discussion and explanation in journal clubs, group meetings, or individual feedback from supervisors, or research team members. Grid-based proformas that provide students with a profile of their individual performance will be employed so that you can see where they have done well and where improvement is required in specific areas. You are also invited to learn through providing and receiving anonymous feedback from peers through online tools (e.g. Turningpoint, DIaNa).

The results from the Research Project will be written up in a final Dissertation.

Structure

First, you will participate in core taught modules and workshops that provide an in-depth introduction to a diverse range of key concepts within evolution and genomics and high-level training in data analysis and bioinformatics. You will also gain exposure to world-leading scientists, research programs and systems – while participating in state-of-the art training in the fields of evolution and genomics.

For the rest of the year, you will engage in science communication activities within the vibrant research community across the UEA/NRP, including seminar series, journal clubs and research discussion groups. These will broaden your horizon and familiarize you with a wide range of research areas and controversial topics related to evolution and genomics.

Most importantly, you will run your own extensive research project from February to August in a research lab of your choice at UEA/NRP.

Teaching and Learning

Modules 1 and 3 consist of a series of lectures, workshops and practicals taking place in SEM1, which introduce you to key concepts in evolution and genomics and present an overview of current cutting-edge research taking place in the different research institutions across the NRP including UEA. The lectures and practicals are taught by internationally leading researchers, so you will receive state-of-the art training in the fields of evolution and genomics.

Independent study

Module 2 trains you in planning and executing an extensive research project. Module 4 trains you in communicating science in a written and oral form. This involves participating, as part of the research community at UEA/NRP, in the various seminar series, the weekly Research Discussion Group (where topics relevant to careers in academia and beyond are discussed in an informal and friendly environment) and in regular journal clubs where recently published articles are analysed. In Module 5, you will carry out an extensive, independent research project under the supervision of the researcher of your choice and as part of their group. This gives you a unique opportunity to embed yourself within the research environment of top research groups.

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Open Days

Assessment for Year 1

Assessment is varied and comprises essays, literature reviews, analytical assignments, conduct during research, research reports and oral presentations.

The results from the Research Project will be written up in a final Dissertation.

Compulsory Modules

INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION AND GENOMICS

Code BIO-7049A

Credits 20

Introductory lectures by NRP PIs; general introduction to evolutionary concepts and thinking. Starting with an ‘Introduction week (Week 1)’ including an Introduction by the Course Coordinators, followed by a series of short presentations and tours of the various NRP institutions to allow students to meet PIs and each other and gain an overview of research activities. In the following five weeks of SEM1, the students will participate in 20 1-hour-lectures by individual PIs to introduce them to specific areas of Evolution and Genomics. During the same time, students are encouraged to start contacting PIs and discuss possible projects. The projects will be advertised at the beginning of the course for students to choose.

RESEARCH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Code BIO-7050Y

Credits 20

Choice of PI for research project, choice and design of research project, proposal writing, report writing, oral presentation of proposal and project results. In mid November, after the introduction lectures in SEM1, students will contact potential PI’s, visit their groups and discuss possible projects/areas in detail. Each student will then select one of the project areas/PI’s. Then, over a period of 6 weeks they will perform an in-depth literature review to build their background knowledge relevant to the project of choice. They will receive feedback on the review using DiaNa. Following the literature review, the students will - in collaboration with the PI - produce a research proposal, including a detailed plan of their project including experimental design etc . Feedback will again be given through DiaNa.

DATA SCIENCE AND BIOINFORMATICS

Code BIO-7051A

Credits 20

This module will start off with a five-day introduction to R (as a crucial piece of software for data handling, analyses and presentation) in advance of five separate 1-day advanced workshops in data analyses and bioinformatics spread across November. During the R Introduction, the students will complete an overall linked-up formative assignment to deepen their practical understanding of R. In each advanced workshops they will have an introductory lecture (1-2 hours), followed by a practical hands-on interactive assignment (5-6 hours). Each day will be led by a different teacher/PI and will tackle a given question and develop a specific skill set in Bioinformatics/Genomics. Students will apply theory from the lectures directly to datasets. A follow-up independent learning assignment will be set from each workshop (ca 8 hours work). The students will submit a first draft to the respective teacher for feedback, followed by a final draft to the teacher and course coordinator for feedback/marking. This will lead to three written formative assignments and 2 summative assignments. The entire module will be taking place in October and November.

COMMUNICATION IN SCIENCE

Code BIO-7052Y

Credits 20

Participation in ongoing Journal Clubs and Seminar Series across the NRP. All students have to engage in a minimum of ten seminars (e.g. BIO Open Lectures, CEEC seminars, seminar series at JIC, QI and EI) throughout the year. They will also attend weekly Journal Clubs in their respective institution from SEM2 onwards. Attendance is verified with registration forms. Students will prepare written summaries of two chosen papers and two seminars from these events, which will be evaluated using peer review by DiaNa Students will also participate in the weekly Research Discussion Group in the O&E theme in BIO where PIs/PhD/others consider/discussed issues related to a career in research – e.g. ethics, peer review, grant writing, philosophy of science, avoiding unconscious biases, mental health issues. Each student will also have to lead one Journal Club paper and give two oral presentations to their peers, one on their project outline at the beginning of their project (January) and one outlining their own initial results towards the end of the project (May). The presentations will be evaluated following DiaNa guidelines and will involve feedback from peers and the Course coordinator. All tasks of this module will be finished by mid-May.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Code BIO-7053X

Credits 100

Planning and performing a research project including lab/field work or bioinformatics to generate data. The students will work in group, and on the project, of choice, undertaking data generation, analyses and writing up of results. The research project will form the larger second part of the year (from Feb to August). Students will have already selected a supervisor/group with which to perform their project from across the NRP (including BIO/ENV). This will be an independent project but working within a collaborative research environment. Regular presentations with peers/lab members/PIs for mutual updates and discussions will be part of this process. A final thesis (100 credits) will be submitted in mid-August and the final mark will be returned at the beginning of September.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

MRes EVOLUTION AND GENOMICS