Overview

Overview

The MRes in Post-Genomic Biology course is a one-year programme that provides research experience and interdisciplinary training in state-of-the-art biomolecular and biochemical techniques employed in post-genomic biological research. The programme is based in the Department of Biology, which is one of the UK’s top-ranked biological sciences departments for both research and teaching. The course also includes contributions from staff in the Technology Facility, Centre for Immunology and Infection, and Department of Chemistry.

How much will I pay?

I really enjoyed the course and thought it was hard work but worthwhile, especially the two projects. (Laura, former student)

http://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-funding/fees/non-standard/
Alternatively please visit the funding tab for further details about funding options for the course.

What kind of background do students have?

The course is designed for students who have a good degree in the biological or chemical sciences and wish to train for careers in research or research-related activities. Graduates of the course are well equipped for continuing to doctoral studies in universities or research institutes, or obtaining research positions within industrial or pharmaceutical laboratories.

Programme content

Programme content

The MRes in Post-Genomic Biology course will demonstrate how one can progress from knowing the complete sequence of a genome to understanding the functional significance of a specific gene using both in vitro and in vivo model systems. This is accomplished through an extended programme of workshops and two independent research projects.

The taught modules in Autumn and Spring terms will provide the foundations for the research projects by developing the student’s knowledge and skills in the following areas:
• recombinant protein production and purification
• characterisation of biomolecular interactions
• proteomics, mass spectrometry and 2D electrophoresis
• transcriptomics and genomics using state-of-the-art DNA microarray and sequencing technologies
• bioinformatics and molecular graphics
• high-speed cell sorting using flow cytometry
• advanced bioimaging techniques for cells and whole organisms
• macromolecular structure determination by x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy

The development of the student’s research skills is based on two independent research projects: a project supervised in York (~11 weeks in Spring term) and an extended placement (~16 weeks in Summer term) within an industrial or academic research laboratory or a research institute. The placement can be located in the UK or overseas. Further information about the placement including a placement profile can be viewed on our placement information page.

The course aims to improve each student’s writing skills in the following areas: literature-based research, evaluating experimental ideas, constructing a scientific argument, and citing published research. The students will development their personal and transferable skills through group-based activities covering communication and presentation skills, strategies for project planning and management, and strategies for personal effectiveness. The students will also be introduced to a series of issues dealing with the commercialisation and management of science, and further develop group-working skills in analysis, discussion and negotiation.

Applying

Applying

For entry to the MRes degree programme, applicants will be expected to have a good degree (first or upper second class or equivalent) in any Biological or Chemical Science (including Biochemistry and applied sciences such as medicine, pharmacology, etc.) There are opportunities for students with backgrounds in other disciplines, providing they have substantial knowledge of biology. Please contact the Biology Admissions Office on biol-pg-admissions@york.ac.uk, if you have alternative qualifications and would like to discuss your application.

Applications are normally considered as they arrive.

All applicants are interviewed before a place is offered

For UK applicants this will normally be in person. For EU and Overseas applicants, unless they are visiting the UK, this will normally be undertaken by skype. Applicants offered places must fulfil all conditions for the uptake of their place (financial, language, and degree results where appropriate) by the deadlines given in the conditional offers.

How can I find out more about applying?

If you have any queries about the application process, or more specific enquiries about the programme content then please contact the Biology Admissions Office at biol-pg-admissions@york.ac.uk.

• How to Apply - Application Forms, and details of how to apply.
• Information on accommodation - Information on accommodation on Campus, and in the private sector.
• Information on fees - Information on how much the course costs.  

English language Requirements for EU and international applicants

EU and overseas applicants' interviews are conducted by skype. For this reason we require a proficiency in English prior to interview for applicants whose education has not been in English. The Department's requirements are as follows:

TOEFL - paper-based: 600; CBT: 250; iBT: 87 overall (minimum of 21 in each section)
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum of 6.0 in each section)
Pearson: 61 overall (minimum 55 in each section)

Based on the feedback from our current and previous EU and International students, we strongly recommend that, if offered a place on the course, you plan to arrive in the UK well before the start of the MRes in Post-Genomic Biology and ideally take a pre-sessional language course. We would highly recommend the 4-week 'English for Academic and Research Purposes 2' programme that is offered by the University.

Places are limited and early booking is recommended. Please note that the MRes starts one week before the formal start of term so it will not be possible to attend the central orientation programme for international students.

Funding

Funding

What funding options are available?

All students on the MRes Post-Genomic Biology course will attend on a self-funding basis, by way of parental support, career development bank loans, and savings. Fees and maintenance can sometimes be paid by an employer if the student is already working.

• UK/EU applicants
  Some students have taken out Career Development Loans to support their studies.
  The University offers a range of scholarships. Further information is available here: http://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-funding/
• Overseas applicants
  Often win scholarships in their own countries, or from sources such as the British Council and Commonwealth Scholarships
• Full fee paying International Students may also be eligible for support from a Biology Department bursary.

Where can I find further information on funding?

• Further information is available on Fees and Funding from the University’s Postgraduate webpages. http://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees-funding/

Career Prospects

MRes Post-Genomic Biology Career prospects

The employment rate for York MRes Post-Genomic Biology graduates is very high. The table below shows the first destinations of graduates of the MRes programme between 1995 and 2011:

The MRes in Post-Genomic Biology programme is designed to provide a valuable postgraduate qualification that will enhance your career prospects, whether you intend to pursue a career in research or one where knowledge of the research process is important. The emphasis that is placed on research training via project work is of great value in enhancing career development, and may lead directly to jobs or openings for further postgraduate training. Many past students have gone on to jobs in the organisation where they carried out their external research project.

Most students go on to build research-based careers, usually beginning with a PhD. The opportunity to take a placement in an industrial setting within the course helps many of our students to decide whether they wish ultimately to pursue a career in industry.

Student profiles

Student profiles

Alison Walters, UK

• MRes in Post-Genomic Biology 

"I completed my BSc in Biomedical Science at the University of Sheffield then spent a year travelling before deciding to return to academia. I was attracted to the MRes PGB course at York because it offered experience in a wide range of technologies used in biological research, as well as the opportunity to conduct two projects in different research laboratories. My project at York was on the archaeal exosome and in the summer term I travelled to Dalhousie University, Canada, where I studied genes important for stationary phase exit in yeast. Both projects gave me the opportunity to apply techniques studied in the autumn term modules and greatly increased my range of research skills and confidence in the laboratory. The insight into research provided by the MRes led me to apply for PhD studentships and I am now studying DNA replication proteins in Methanococcus maripaludis at York. I feel that the MRes not only helped me to decide that a PhD was the next step for me, but also that research experience it provided has given me something of a "head start" with my PhD project."

Ling Liu, China

• MRes in Post-Genomics Biology 

"After my 4-year undergraduate study in China, I decided to continue my study in UK and finally chose the MRes FG course at York. Among a variety of biology courses provided in UK, I found FG the most attractive as it provides almost all the forefront knowledge and techniques in post-genomic research field and a lot of practical research experience, invaluable for my future PhD study. Unlike taught courses, this MRes course is more like a PhD training course, especially with respect to the projects which gave me a very good sense of real research, how to adapt to a brand new research area in an international research environment as well as scientific report writing skills. My external project provides a good familiarisation with the metabolic disorder research area which I want to carry on in my PhD study. Sound theoretical knowledge, a diversity of research experience I gained from this MRes course and my improved English finally help me to get the full PhD scholarship from the University of Hong Kong, one of the best universities in China. I really appreciate what I have gained from this course."

Contact Us

For enquiries contact the Biology Admissions Office: