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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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Driving advances in biosciences

Our Department of Biosciences is making strides in understanding antibiotic resistance, boosted by a prestigious Leverhulme award.
Computer simulation of a molecule on a black background

New imaging of bacterial DNA uncovers secrets to future antibiotic design

In a new study, scientists from our top-rated Biosciences department joined forces with researchers from Jagiellonian University (Poland), and the John Innes Centre to reveal how a bacterial enzyme called DNA gyrase twists and stabilises DNA.
Graphic of DNA

National biodiversity award for MammalWeb project

Our MammalWeb project has won a national biodiversity award for its work to gather information on the distribution, abundance, habits and behaviours of UK and European wild mammals.
Otters stare at the camera after being caught on a camera trap

Investing in the next generation of environmental researchers

We’re sharing in an investment of almost £30m to train the next generation of researchers to tackle the world’s environmental challenges.
Photograph looking up at a tree canopy from the ground.

Breakthrough drug for motor neurone disease shows promise in new study

A new drug called Ellorarxine is offering hope to those suffering from motor neurone disease (MND), according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Spiral motor neuron

Durham is part of the Northern Eye - the new cryo electron microscope facility in the North East of England

We along with Newcastle University and Northumbria University have been awarded a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ALERT grant to acquire a powerful new cryo-electron microscope (cryoEM).
Structure of a protein-DNA complex

Driving advances in biosciences

Our Department of Biosciences is making strides in understanding antibiotic resistance, boosted by a prestigious Leverhulme award.
Computer simulation of a molecule on a black background

1st National Live Well with Pain Conference 2025

Footsteps to Change Live Well with Pain, 1st National Live Well with Pain Conference 2025
A hand holding a Live Well With Pain leaflet