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MSc BIOLOGY

Qualification : MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : RESEARCH MASTERS (9)

CAO/PAC code : MHD04 (FT), MHD05 (PT)

CAO Points :

Students entering the ptructured postgraduate programme in biology will be under the supervision of an experienced researcher. All academic staff members in the Biology Department are experienced and active researchers and can supervise research students. Information about their research can be found on the Biology Department website (https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/biology/our-research) and interested students should initially contact researchers directly to discuss potential MSc projects.

In most but not all instances, your stipend, university fees, consumable, equipment and travel costs will be paid from a research grant from a national or international grant agency or charity. Your supervisor usually competitively obtains this grant but students can also obtain their own scholarships.

Upon entering the programme each student will be assigned two additional mentors, an Advisor and an Assessor. The Advisor provides additional mentorship for the student throughout the programme and is someone the student can discuss issues with in addition to their supervisor. The Assessor is a member of staff who will provide an annual constructive critique of the students work programme and will aid, together with the Advisor, in outlining possible future research plans.
 

In addition to the research project, training is provided through compulsory attendance of a variety of generic and transferable skills as well as subject-specific modules. For example, the established Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning will provide research students with experience in practical class demonstrating and teaching and learning methodologies. Training in subject-specific skills is provided through modules offered either through the Biology Department or through other third-level institutions.  Finally, research students will be encouraged to attend at least one international conference during their programme, at which they will be expected to present an oral or poster presentation.

Closing date
Research applications are generally accepted at any time

Commences
September

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree that is considered equivalent to Irish University primary degree level. Usually a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant biological subject is required. Additional qualifications such as an MSc degree or relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration.

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Dr Ozgür Bayram

Fungal genetics and secondary metabolism

Dr Marion Butler

Cell signalling

Dr James Carolan

Proteomics and molecular biology

Dr Paul Dowling

Clinical proteomics

Prof Sean Doyle

Biotechnology

Dr Karen English

Cellular Immunology

Dr David Fitzpatrick

Genome evolution

Dr Emmanuelle Graciet

Plant biochemistry

Prof Christine Griffin

Behavioural ecology and biocontrol

Dr Andy Hogan

Metabolic immunology

Prof Kevin Kavanagh

Medical mycology

Prof Bernard Mahon

Immunology and cell biology

Dr Joanne Masterson

Allergy, inflammation & remodelling

Dr Eoin McNamee

Mucosal immunology

Dr Conor Meade

Molecular ecology

Dr Sinead Miggin

Immune signalling

Prof Paul Moynagh

Molecular immunology

Dr Jackie Nugent

Plant molecular biology

Dr Shirley O’Dea

Epithial immunobiology

Prof Kay Ohlendieck

Muscle biology

Dr Rebecca Owens

Chemical microbiology

Dr Mark Robinson

Chronic disease immunology

Dr Martina Schroeder

Host-pathogen interaction

Dr Fiona Walsh

Antimicrobial resistance & microbiome research

Information about research interests of Biology staff members can be found on the Biology Department Website: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/biology/our-research

Students must take a minimum of 10 credits in taught modules (at least 5 in generic/transferable modules and at least 5 in subject-specific/advanced specialist modules).

Course Duration: 2 years full-time, 3 years part-time

Career Options include PhD research in academic research labs in Ireland or worldwide, positions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, teaching, scientific writing, etc. Modules available for postgraduate students at Maynooth University provide transferable skills for careers in both academic and industry settings.

Research applicants wishing to commence studies before November 2024, please register your interest here. You must contact the head of the laboratory to which you wish to apply.
 

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