Programme
MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY SYSTEMS
The Dynamics of Cellular Pathways
This Wellcome Trust Four Year PhD Programme provides students with the opportunity to experience a range of different research topics, supervisors and laboratory environments, before choosing their final PhD topic. Students perform three laboratory-based research projects, each under the supervision of one or more of the supervisors participating in the Programme. Each project lasts a total of ~14 - 15 weeks, including the preparation of a written report.
There is a range of Programme-specific courses and events during the first year. The Research Meeting in week 2 where all supervisors present an overview of their research provides an excellent introduction to the research areas within the Programme, and importantly, allows new students to meet new potential supervisors. In addition to this research forum, two taught modules are provided which are designed to underpin the research focus of the PhD programme.
Subject to satisfactory completion of the first year, students begin their final PhD project in the second year.
Students write a Literature Review in January, and a Continuation Report by July. The Continuation Report is examined by members of the Management Team in order to allow progression into their third year of Ph.D. study. Further skills development modules provide continued development of transferable skills.
Course I. The dynamics of cellular pathways
This module comprises 12 tutorials based on directed reading. The tutorials provide an invaluable grounding in our current knowledge of macromolecular assemblies and underline their fundamental importance to understanding a variety of distinct cellular processes. The tutorial themes are:
- Cell Signalling and Gene Expression
- Cell Cycle, Apoptosis and Development
- Extracellular Matrix
- Protein Synthesis, Folding and Trafficking
The following skills will be taught:
- Critical assessment of the literature
- Awareness of experimental techniques and approaches
- Designing experimental strategies to approach research problems
Course II. Skills for report writing
One vital skill needed throughout a PhD is the ability to present data clearly in written format. To help to prepare students for writing their first report, one tutorial on data presentation is provided, along with an on-line academic literacy programme.
In addition, the following core courses are provided by the Faculty of Life Sciences for all graduate students during the first year:
- Introductory week
- Personal and Professional Skills Module
- Faculty Seminar series
- Statistics and data handling
- Endnote training
PhD research project
Towards the end of the first year, students submit a detailed description of their intended PhD research project that has been prepared under the guidance of their intended PhD supervisor. This proposal is then defended before the WT management team.