The School of Life Sciences brings together Warwick’s renowned research and teaching excellence to offer an outstanding, diverse and multidisciplinary life sciences learning environment. World-class facilities and internationally-recognised scientists develop pioneering research ideas and innovations in a wide range of disciplines – from the study of single molecules to models of entire ecosystems. We apply our expertise to solving major global challenges in areas such as food security, disease control, bioenergy, systems biology, neurobiology and climate change. Research within the School underpins much of our teaching and we run an innovative Doctoral Training Programme.
Research Areas
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Mechanism of chromosome segregation; plant genomics and novel crops; neural circuits and neural communication; physiology of synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity; protein transport and trafficking; protein crystallography and structure; molecular cell biology; cell fate; Drosophila neurosciences; hormone perception; neuronal and glial signalling; structure and folding of prions; macromolecular assemblies; diabetes and endocrinology; brain synapses.
Environmental Microbiology
Microbial diversity in soils, mycorrhizas; physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of methane oxidizing bacteria; characterisation of iron- and sulfur-oxidising microorganisms; microbial ecology; microbial degradation of aromatic chemicals; bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and cell division mechanisms; marine microbiology; microbial sulfur cycling in oceans and soils; understanding the ecological roles for specific bacterial activities, including antibiotic production.
Environmental Resource Management
Plant evolutionary genetics; biological pest control and integrated pest management, bee health; Insect biology; biometrics and biosystem modelling; weed ecology and evolution; marine environmental research; molecular anthropology.
Epidemiology
Population ecology and epidemiology; epidemiology of infectious and non infectious diseases in livestock; infectious disease modelling; infectious disease epidemiology; control of infectious diseases.
Infectious Agents
Viral translation mechanisms; plant viral disease resistance factors; adenovirus immune invasion; infectious disease; molecular biology of viruses; molecular biology of RNA virus replication and evolution; regulatory mechanisms that allow microorganisms to respond to the environment; adenovirus cell and molecular biology.
Plant Regulatory Mechanisms
Host-pathogen interactions; signalling networks in plant senescence; circadian clocks in plants; systems biology of host-pathogen interactions; systems biology of nitrogen-regulated development; understanding the role of ubiquitin in plant stress responses.
Translation Crop Genetics
Regulation of plant lipid metabolism; seed science and seedling establishment; epigenetic control of plant development; ecological genetics of plantmicrobe interactions; molecular control of flowering and plan development; environmental control of plant and crop development; water use efficiency and drought resistance; plant-virus interactions; food security; The Crop Centre; conservation and exploitation of plant genetic resources.
Research Degrees
MSc by Research
Duration: 1 year full time, 2 years part time
This practical course is based on a single research project under the training and supervision of one of our Research Leaders. Research is interdisciplinary and ranges from laboratory-based fundamental science to field-based applied agriculture and ecology. The course will give you hands-on experience of your specialism and can be used in preparation for a PhD. It also prepares you for a career in science or agricultural administration, business, accountancy or law where the products sold involve advanced technology, or as a consultant in many highly skilled sectors.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Duration: full-time 3/4 years, part-time 5 years
The course is based on a single research project, under the training and supervision of one of our Research Leaders. You will work in a high-quality, researchfocused environment. We have strong links with research institutions, business and industry, both in the UK and overseas, working to develop innovative areas of research and technology.
Research is interdisciplinary, ranging from lab-based fundamental science to field-based applied agriculture and biomedicine.
Professional Doctorate
Duration: full-time, 3 years for students already holding an MSc or 4 years for those without an MSc (or equivalent); Part-time 7 years
This is a portfolio-based PhD programme carried out in collaboration with an industrial partner. The programme integrates academic training with a series of shorter research projects. It is equivalent in challenge and status to a standard single project PhD, but its flexibility is more appropriate for those pursuing professional rather than academic careers.
Taught Master’s Degree
MSc Biotechnology, Bioprocessing & Business Management
Duration: full-time 1 year
This innovative, multidisciplinary course is aimed at biotechnology and bioprocessing business managers of the future. The bioprocessing and biotechnology industries are a major component of global industrialised economies with impacts in medicine, food manufacturing and the fabrication and testing of biopharmaceutical products. The pace of change is high and requires a new calibre of technical specialist; a person capable of analysing and resolving problems in a timely and effective manner. Ideally this specialist will have business acumen and a knowledge base that integrates a broad spectrum of relevant expertise. This Master’s will equip you with the necessary tools and expertise to become such a person, offering key business information and industrially-relevant knowledge.
You will gain an up-to-date and broad technical and business knowledge of the biotechnology and bioprocessing industries, learn how to analyse problems and propose solutions, understand how to analyse the market need for technical or product development, propose a technology strategy and manage the development.
The interdisciplinary nature of the course together with the diverse background of fellow students will offer opportunities to stimulate your career and personal development within leading centres of expertise at Warwick.
MSc Environmental Bioscience in a Changing Climate
Duration: full-time 1 year, part-time 2 years
Escalating rates of environmental and climate change are forcing us to revise our management of agricultural and natural habitats. This course aims to equip students with the necessary scientific and analytical skills to tackle these increasingly important issues. It provides an integrated perspective on environmental bioscience, environmental management and environmental politics and regulation as these relate to land management for the sustainable production of food, energy and ecosystem services. Global climate change and associated environmental issues are overarching themes throughout the course. Graduates could expect to work in areas related to sustainability in farming systems, rural development, environmental management, environmental policy and environmental consultancy.
MSc Food Security
Duration: full-time 1 year, part-time 2/3 years
This course will give you an understanding of the elements that contribute to the food security agenda. Climate change and world population growth put pressure on governments, producers and consumers to plan ahead for food security.
The course draws together critical components such as climate change, the role of biodiversity, water, soil, land use, labour, nutrition transition and urbanisation to prepare you for career paths in academic research and a wide range of public and commercial enterprises, government agencies, policy development and consultancy. Demand for well-qualified people to contribute to food production and the supply chain will increase in line with demand to double food production over the coming decades. Governments require experts who are able to contribute to policy creation and legislation. NGOs need people who work at the interface of natural and social science.
MSc Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century
Duration: full-time 1 year, part-time 2/3 years
This course provides the knowledge and practical skills for the improvement, growing and management of crops. It will give you the understanding to allow you to adapt to future industry changes influenced by climate change, pressure on resources or food shortage. You will learn principles of crop production, the latest advances in plant pathology, integrated pest management and weed control, and ecology.
Modules will explain the importance of the soil for nutrition and water uptake, modern plant breeding techniques and how crop trials are designed and analysed. You will acquire the skills necessary for careers in crop agriculture, agronomy, crop trial management, and as policy development officers, technical commodity specialists and professional advisors. We expect our graduates to become the industry’s future managers and leaders.
