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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.

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 degrees; MSc Biotechnology, and MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
  • Research degrees; PhD and Masters by Research
  • Taught Degrees

    Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs with our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise or MSc Biotechnology
    Cellular and molecular biology
  • Research Degrees

    Pursue your research interest with either our PhD or Masters by Research

Taught Degrees

Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs with our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise or MSc Biotechnology
Cellular and molecular biology

Research Degrees

Pursue your research interest with either our PhD or Masters by Research
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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What's new?

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Scientists map stress response system in plants

Scientists from our top-rated Biosciences Department and partner institutions have created the first ever complete map of a hidden system that helps plants survive when the world around them changes.
Max SUMO cover

Major grant awarded for new innovative research into programmable plants

We have been awarded a major research grant as part of UK’s ARIA’s (Advanced Research and Invention Agency) prestigious Programmable Plants initiative.
Plant

How tropical plants keep ant rivals peacefully apart by giving them separate ‘flats’

Researchers from our top-rated Biosciences department have uncovered a fascinating way tropical plants in Fiji manage to keep peace among rival ant colonies.
Tropical plants

Using GPS trackers to study red deer behaviour in Scotland

Researchers are tracking the movement of red deer in the Highlands of Scotland using GPS collars as part of a new project.
Two red deer

Scientists discover how roots sense and respond to water shortage

Scientists from our top-rated Biosciences department have uncovered a key mechanism in plant roots that helps them adapt to temporary water shortages.
Drought affected rice plants

Climate change driving rise in soil’s antibiotic resistance

A multinational research team, including Professor David W Graham from our top-rated Biosciences Department, have helped uncover a worrying new effect of climate change - the rise of antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria.
Soil bacteria

Scientists map stress response system in plants

Scientists from our top-rated Biosciences Department and partner institutions have created the first ever complete map of a hidden system that helps plants survive when the world around them changes.
Max SUMO cover

Major grant awarded for new innovative research into programmable plants

We have been awarded a major research grant as part of UK’s ARIA’s (Advanced Research and Invention Agency) prestigious Programmable Plants initiative.
Plant