MSc Developmental Biology: The University of Manchester

Course description

Developmental biology is aimed at understanding how a fertilised egg gives rise to a complex multicellular organism. The Developmental Biology MSc will give a thorough training in this subject area with opportunities to undertake research placements in the labs of leading researchers working on a range of model organisms and diverse areas of developmental biology.

Some of the major areas of research undertaken at The University of Manchester are as follows:

Studies of gene expression and cell signalling in model organisms, such as Drosophila, Xenopus, and mouse are illuminating 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.

The ways in which misregulation of developmental mechanisms leads to human diseases, e.g. cancer, are being explored using various models.

The mechanisms regulating stem cell maintenance and differentiation are being investigated, in order to harness the therapeutic potential of stem cells.

The healing process is being studied to improve wound repair and in the longer term regeneration of organs.

Career opportunities

MSc graduates acquire a vast array of subject specific and transferable skills and gain extensive laboratory research experience. The University of Manchester has a strong record of placing students in PhD programmes at Manchester and other universities and several of our graduates have pursued research careers in industry.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: A First or Upper Second class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in a biological or medical sciences discipline. Exceptional applicants with a 2:2 with some research experience or equivalence would also be considered.

English language: For MSc applicants whose first language is not English an IELTS score of 6.5 in each component, TOEFL 577 (paper based), TOEFL 233 (computer based) or TOEFL 90 (internet based) is required as a minimum.