MRes Evolution and Genomics
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Research
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Course Overview
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’ll be part of a 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’ll be exceptionally well qualified as a PhD candidate for national and international PhDs within this area. You’ll also have a diverse range of transferable skills and understanding that will enhance your employability in industry, government and non-government organisations.
You’ll 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:
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Evolutionary biology of ageing
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Sexual selection and sexual conflict
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Evolutionary genetics and genomics
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Conservation genetics/genomics
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Microbiology and microbiomics
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Plant genetics/genomics and crop breeding
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Population genetic/genomics
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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.
Study and Modules
Structure
First, you’ll 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’ll 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’ll 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’ll run your own extensive research project from February to August in a research lab of your choice at UEA/NRP.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Modules 1 and 3 consist of a series of lectures, workshops and practicals taking place in your first semester, 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’ll 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’ll 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.
Assessment
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.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors degree - 2.1 equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Biology, Biomedicine or Biochemistry
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in all components
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year
Additional Information or Requirements
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £15,850 (full time)
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International Students: £25,150 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
The course puts you in an excellent position to apply to the multiple different local Doctoral Training Programs on the NRP, but also more widely for PhDs at the national and international level. If you are more interested in a scientific career outside academia, the skills you learn on this course will be extremely relevant and highly beneficial to apply for such positions in the bioscience industry, government and non-government organisations.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- PhD (DTP)
- Bioscience Industry
- Health sector
- Government
- Non-Government Organisations
Discover more on our Careers webpages.