PhD/MPhil Environmental Biology / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Environmental Biology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Environmental Biology.

Animals, microorganisms and plants live in environments to which they have become adapted through millions of years of evolution.

They often have to respond to changes which may be biotic or abiotic in nature, and, increasingly, to anthropogenic perturbations which have resulted in global environmental change.

To understand how organisms respond and interact with one another in their natural and man-made habitats, a wide spectrum of approaches is employed ranging from molecular biology to population biology.

State-of-the-art facilities for 'controlled environments' are used to regulate climate variables and to study interactions between species. These include controlled environment rooms, animal facilities and insectaries.

Research projects involve both laboratory and field studies in temperate, arctic and tropical habitats.

Examples of areas of investigation include:

  • seasonal and hormonal regulation of animal behaviour;
  • reproductive strategies of plants;
  • animal & microbes and their evolution;
  • phenotypic plasticity and quantitative genetics;
  • strategies of adaption in a changing world;

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one or two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas.

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

Facilities

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk