Course description
Our research-focused MSc Developmental Biology course will give you extensive hands-on experience of conducting research on timely topics of developmental biology.
You will learn through an interactive approach involving seminars, workshops and small group tutorials rather than traditional lectures.
You will also undertake your own research project in the labs of leading researchers working on a range of model organisms and diverse areas of developmental biology.
You will gain research experience and professional skills, perhaps in a different area to your first degree, before deciding on a future career in industry or academic research. This will allow you to make an informed choice about the research area you want to go into.
You choose the laboratory placement from a list provided by your programme director. Examples of developmental biology research at Manchester include:
- studies of gene expression and cell signalling in model organisms, such as Drosophila, Xenopus and mice, to decipher the mechanisms by which different cell types and tissues arise during development. Findings obtained from these studies serve as general principles relating to human development;
- exploring how dysregulation of developmental mechanisms leads to human diseases, eg cancer, using various models;
- research into the mechanisms regulating stem cell maintenance and differentiation to harness the therapeutic potential of stem cells;
- looking at the healing process to improve wound repair and the longer-term regeneration of organs.
PhD with integrated master's
If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.
You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.Special features
Extensive research experience
Gain laboratory experience with leading developmental biology researchers.
Teaching and learning
We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including tutorials, workshops, seminars and research placements.
Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.
Coursework and assessment
We will assess your progress using:
- written reports on your research projects and tutorials
- oral presentations
- written assignments
- posters
- multiple choice exams
- critical assessment of literature
- online statistics exercises.
Course unit details
The course starts in September and runs for 12 months. You require 180 credits to complete the course, of which:
- 120 credits are project based
- 60 credits are from transferable skills units
Transferable skills
60 credits are achieved through completion of activities that develop your transferable skills in essential areas such as laboratory skills, experimental design, statistics, bioethics (included in the tutorial and workshop unit) and science communication.
The Experimental Design and Statistics unit runs at the start of the year to prepare you for your research projects. Elements of the other units run throughout the year alongside your research project.
- Experimental Design and Statistics(15 credits)
- Tutorial and Workshop(15 credits)
- Science Communication (15 credits)
- Laboratory Skills (15 credits)
Disclaimer
Our units teach the current trends in life sciences.
Consequently, details of our units may vary over time. The University therefore reserves the right to make such alterations to units as are found to be necessary. Before accepting your offer of a course, it is essential that you are aware of the current terms on which the offer is based. This includes the units available to you. If in doubt, please contact us.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics & Experimental Design | BIOL65161 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Research Project 1 | BIOL66121 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Research Project 2 | BIOL66132 | 90 | Mandatory |
Scholarships and bursaries
For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.