*2016/17 Applications Update*
Applications are still open for entry for study starting September 2016.
We are currently accepting applications from self-funding
applicants and are offering a number of funded MRes only places. Funding
for the MRes places includes fees and a tax free, London weighted
annual stipend of £17,090.
If you have any questions regarding the programme or your
application please get in touch with the CoMPLEX office:
complex.admin@ucl.ac.uk
There is also an opportunity for a funded 1+3 place on the
programme. Upon successful completion of the MRes Modelling Biological
Complexity you will be working in the division of Biosciences with
Professor Andrew Pomiankowski and Dr Nick Lane:
The PhD position available is for theoretical work on the
role of mitochondria in the evolution of complex life. The group are
interested in the origin of important eukaryotic traits, such as sex,
two sexes and the germline-soma distinction. Phylogenetics suggest that
eukaryotes arose in an endosymbiosis between an archaeal host cell and a
bacterium that evolved into mitochondria. Much eukaryotic complexity
arose in this context. However, the role of mitochondria in driving
eukaryogenesis has received little formal attention. The student should
have strong quantitative and programming skills and be interested in
fundamental biology to develop rigorous mathematical models that
evaluate novel ideas on the evolution of eukaryotic complexity.
The successful candidate will join a small group working on
related questions with Professor Andrew Pomiankowski and Dr Nick Lane.
Deadline for application for PhD opportunity is 1st April
To apply for this opportunity please use the
application form and send an email to complex.admin@ucl.ac.uk expressing your interest in the PhD opportunity.
CoMPLEX is UCL's centre for interdisciplinary science,
bringing life and medical scientists together with mathematicians,
physical scientists, computer scientists, and engineers to tackle the
challenges arising from complexity in biology and medicine.
During the MRes Modelling Biological Complexity, students
are trained in biological complexity, mathematical modelling of
biological systems, and advanced experimental techniques.
The MRes consists of four main elements:
Foundation Courses (unweighted)
The foundation courses are essential for background
knowledge, but also for students to gain an overview of the range of
science covered in CoMPLEX to help choose their Mini-Projects and Summer
Project.
Students from
a mathematical or physical sciences background are encouraged to take
undergraduate courses in basic modern biology covering genetics, molecular
biology, cell biology, physiology and ecology. Students from the life
sciences may take courses in mathematics based on individual need. All students
take the following courses developed specifically for the programme:
- ABMB: Advanced Biological Modelling and Bioinformatics
- ITPL: Introduction to Physical Techniques in the Life Sciences
- ABC Course: Analysis of Biological Complexity
- Statistics
- Programming Tools
- Matlab
Students are not required to sit written examinations in these
foundation courses.
Mini-Projects (weighted 40%)
These are three assessed essays on cross-disciplinary work
within the CoMPLEX remit. Projects are set by two scientists: one from
life sciences and the other from the mathematical/physical sciences.
The basis of Mini-Projects is usually a pair of lectures, one given by a life scientist and
one by a mathematical/physical scientist.
In each
presentation the life scientist first sets out the biological/medical
background to a particular research challenge, and discusses the specific focus
for collaborative work. The mathematical/physical scientist then explains how
mathematical, computational or physical techniques can be applied to gain
insight into the biological issues. Students have a choice of Mini-Projects to
pursue and if they choose a particular project then tutorial discussions with the presenters help students to
consolidate their understanding.
Each Mini-Project typically takes 6 weeks to
complete; these projects form a major part of the assessment. Usually the first
of these is based on a topic selected from the foundation courses and the remaining two are based on topics chosen from a series
of set presentations.
Mini-Projects
are essentially extended essays, where students should demonstrate that they
have understood both the life sciences issue and the mathematical/physical
science techniques used to address it. In addition, students should provide
some original input into the topic, whether by way of suggested future research
directions, new applications of existing techniques, or even novel analysis.
During the Mini-Projects element of the programme, it may be possible to undertake
a short practical project to replace one of the essays.
Summer Project (weighted 40%)
Students will undertake a summer research
project which will run from late May/early June onwards for around 11 weeks.
The project may be theoretical or practical and will involve original research.
A list of potential topics and supervisors will be circulated to students, but
they are free to suggest a topic of the students' own choosing, provided that
suitable supervisors can be identified.
Summer Projects must demonstrate evidence of
substantial original interdisciplinary thinking. The project may be
theoretical or practical and will involve original research. Work that
merely describes a
biological model, or develops a technique from the mathematical,
computational
or physical sciences but draws no biological conclusions is not
sufficient.
Transferable Skills (weighted 20%)
This is provided through selected tasks and
fixed components organised by CoMPLEX.
There are eight equally weighted marked assessments,
which together make up the transferable skills module mark.
This includes compulsary attendance at the Seminar Series and CoMPLEX events.
The assessments are: statistics in biology, computer
programming assessed task, web design, poster and oral presentations,
database handling skills, writing research proposals, refereeing papers
and reflective essay.
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