Any questions?
Admissions

Plant Sciences

Research programmes

DPhil in Plant Sciences

Course Code | 001620 

MSc by Research in Plant Sciences

Course Code | 001630

Oxford's Department of Plant Sciences is one of the few in the United Kingdom covering the breadth of Plant Science. Fundamental research is carries out in three interlinked areas:

  • Biochemistry and Systems Biology
  • Cell and Developmental Biology
  • Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

Research in each area depends to a greater or lesser extent on the use of four major technology platforms - spectroscopy, imaging, computational biology and high-throughput sequencing.

The Department currently has 26 academics and senior research fellows, around 45 research staff and some 35 research students, as well as support staff.

How to Apply

The deadlines for the DPhil and MSc (R) courses are 16 November 2012, 18 January 2013 and 8 March 2013. Later applications may be considered if places are available.

Studentship applications and applications from overseas students applying for scholarships should be submitted by the January deadline, although later applications may still be considered.

The standard set of materials you should send with any application to a research course comprises:

Applicants to the DPhil and MSc (R) in Plant Sciences do not need to submit a detailed research proposal. Instead, please provide a short statement of the proposed research area, and a cogent personal statement explaining why you wish to take the proposed course, and how the degree might be of long-term benefit. 

The personal statement will also be assessed for evidence of motivation, of understanding of the proposed field of study (broad or narrow according to the level applied for), and of ability to present a reasoned case in English.

Please follow the detailed instructions in the Application Guide, and consult the Plant Sciences website for any additional guidance.

Academic resources

The Plant Sciences Department is centrally situated in the University Science Area. All the laboratories have recently been refurbished and are excellently equipped for modern cell and molecular technologies.

In addition, students in the Department have access to a range of unique facilities comprising the living collections and arboretum of the University Botanic Gardens and, on site, two herbaria of international standing and an extensive Plant Science Library. Specialist facilities available to research students include confocal and electron microscopy, DNA sequencing, equipment for DNA microarray gridding and analysis, proteomic analysis using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, analytical NMR, and new extensive transgenic plant growth facilities (glasshouses and controlled-environment rooms).

Graduate destinations

The Department is committed to conducting internationally competitive research and to the scientific training of undergraduate and graduate students.

Over 70% of our DPhil students move to post-doctoral research positions (both industrial and academic) and subsequently most continue in university, institute or industrial research.

Spacer

dps.plants.ox.ac.uk

+44 (0)1865 275070
graduates@plants.ox.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Main areas of research interests

Research interests on the Plant Sciences website External link


Entry requirements

Good undergraduate honours degree (upper second-class minimum) or equivalent

 

Selection criteria

Selection criteria on the Plant Sciences website External link

 

English language requirements

Higher level


Funding/awards

A number of four-year studentships are available each year to outstanding candidates; students accepted for graduate study within the department are also eligible to apply for the Christopher Welch Scholarships and Newton Abraham Studentships

 

Other funding sources can be found via the Oxford Funding Search


Number of applicants
2012/13

41


Number of places available
2013/14

c. 10

 

Statement of Provision

Plant Sciences - Research External link