BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Current students

Why choose Bristol?

Biology student

Excellent training

Our top-class training is recognized by UK Research Councils, which have awarded us major Doctoral Training funding.

You will be trained by world-class researchers who are all at the forefront of their research specialisms. Our lively research community will inspire and support you. We have many international experts in the latest cutting-edge topics in the life sciences, who will give you valuable feedback on your progress. You will also have access to weekly research talks, international visiting speakers, postgraduate symposia and Science Faculty events.

Our taught courses and training sessions develop key transferable skills such as statistics, data handling and presentation, scientific writing and communication, and research methods. Our postgraduate research students regularly publish in the world's leading scientific journals.

World class research

We have an international reputation for the outstanding quality of our research, all of which underpins our training. Many of our staff are world leaders in their fields, giving you the opportunity to learn the most up to date perspectives from those shaping the latest advances in biology. Our staff span world-leading young pioneers to highly experienced Professors.

Our research has grown from highly reputable and traditional strengths in whole organism biology (e.g. behaviour, ecology) to encompass molecular, cellular and genomic approaches to research on animals, plants, evolutionary mechanisms, and ecosystems. Genomics is spearheaded by one of the leaders of the multi-million pound UK wheat genome project, while international-award winning Professors drive highly interdisciplinary research in behavioural ecology.

Our passionate belief is that the big advances in biology come from interdisciplinarity and addressing problems at multiple scales. That breadth and ambition is reflected in our research portfolio.

An exciting future

This is an exciting time to join the School of Biological Sciences. We attract research students and research fellows from around the globe and our pool of academic staff is expanding, with six pioneering new staff recruited in 2012.

We are increasingly interdisciplinary. Staff and research fellows hold joint appointments with departments such as Earth Sciences, Geography, Maths and Engineering Maths. With selected colleagues from yet more departments joining us in the new 56 million pound Life Sciences building in 2013 we have a very exciting pool of world class expertise to draw on. Come and join us as we forge a path to the future of biology."

Ideal location

Bristol is the ideal place to study the life sciences – as well as being home to one of the leading biology departments in the UK, it is the base for other areas of biological expertise, such as the BBC Natural History Unit, the At-Bristol centre of science, art and nature, Bristol Zoological Gardens and the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens.

It is even possible to walk from the School of Biological Sciences to a National Nature Reserve, Leigh Woods, and the spectacular Avon Gorge, a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest on account of its unique range of endemic species.

Quality of life

Bristol is a historical, cultural and well-connected city that is large enough to be vibrant, yet small enough to be friendly. It is a 'green capital', leading the way on environmental issues and sustainability, with excellent public transport (although you can cycle or walk to most places of interest).

Bristol is also a technology hub, second only to Silicon Valley in microchip design. It is easy to travel to London, while also having access to the amazing countryside of South West England (the Mendips, Devon, Cornwall), the Cotswolds, South Wales and the Wye Valley.

Frances

Frances, PhD (Plant Biology)

What do you particularly enjoy about postgraduate study in your department?

It’s a large, very interdisciplinary department. There’s plenty of diversity in what people are studying and researching.

This also means that there are opportunities for interaction with researchers in other departments which is really exciting.

How does postgraduate study differ from an undergraduate degree

It requires much more independent learning. You really have to manage your own time and ideas!

However there is plenty of support too - if you need advice or guidance there’s always someone to help you out.

Is there anything you would want to tell a prospective postgraduate student considering studying Biological Sciences?

Bristol is a great city to be a student in. The department offers plenty of opportunities for exciting projects so try and pick something you’re really passionate about.

What are you planning to do after completing your studies?

I’m not sure yet. Possibly more research by following up what I’m doing as part of my PhD

Jana

Jana, MSc by Research (Wildlife Conservation)

What do you particularly enjoy about postgraduate study in your department?

I enjoy the freedom that you get. My supervisor provided a list of possible research topics but I have a lot of freedom in how I structure my research.

I’ve been working with the Head of Research at Bristol Zoo (who’s also my co-supervisor) and this has been really exciting. You get a lot of academic support from the department.

What are the academics and facilities in your department like?

As a postgraduate student you have to be more independent but if you do need any help there is always someone on hand - the staff are very supportive.

I haven’t been using the department labs that much (I spent 3 months conducting research in Madagascar), but again - if you do need anything there is always someone on hand.

How does postgraduate study differ from an undergraduate degree?

The main difference is no lectures! Also as an undergraduate you have regular tutorials and seminars. As a postgraduate you have to organise everything yourself.

Personally this is a positive thing – I like the independence and I also think this is good preparation for work.

Is there anything you would want to tell a prospective postgraduate student?

Find a supervisor that you like to work with. Also try and find out what you want to do beforehand.

For example – I didn’t want to do lab work exclusively. I had an opportunity to do field work as part of my Masters and this led to my field trip to Madagascar which has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my course. You have to be proactive!

Postgraduate study

Between the Graduate School in Biological Sciences and other departments within Bristol University, postgraduate students are offered a wide range of training in academic and transferable skills. We also encourage post-doctoral researchers to attend any components of particular interest to them.

Read more