Deep sea coral samples
  • Postgraduate taught
  • MRes

Biosystematics

Broaden your understanding of taxonomy and systematics and gain practical experience in the field

Broaden your understanding of taxonomy and systematics and gain practical experience in the field

Improve your research skills for further PhD study

Learn from international experts at a seminar series run jointly with the Natural History Museum

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MRes

  • Duration

    1 year, 2 years

  • Start date

    September 2024

  • Study mode

    Full-time, Part-time

  • Fees

    • £15,150 Home

    • £30,600 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

Minimum entry standard

  • 2:1 in a biological or environmental subject

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Gain a broad perspective of taxonomy and systematics as well as relevant practical experience on this Master's course.

Available full-time or part-time, and run jointly with the Natural History Museum, the programme will prepare you for further PhD study, or a future career in systematics research.

You'll carry out two hands-on research projects at the museum and Imperial's Silwood Park Campus under the supervision of acknowledged international experts at both institutions.

You'll also improve your knowledge of biosystematics through regular academic tutorials, attendance at lab meetings, and external lectures and seminar series.

MRes Living Planet programme

Our MRes Living Planet course will equip you to tackle the great environmental challenges facing the world, providing training on the transferrable research skills you’ll need to develop science-based understanding and interventions. All our MRes Living Planet streams are available in full-time or part-time modes.

You may wish to consider if another stream is right for you according to your career aims and background:

MSc Living Planet course

We also offer an MSc in Living Planet course with the following streams:

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You’ll complete the following compulsory modules in the Autumn term, designed to give you the core skills needed to understand, interpret and conduct independent research. This training is conducted in field and computing environments and will introduce you to modern data collection and experimental methods, along with state-of-the-art techniques in data science, geographic information systems (GIS), genomics and bioinformatics, and data interpretation.

  • NHM Field Course and Basic Computing
  • Statistics in R
  • Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Data Science
  • Planning Research Projects

You’ll complete one research project in each of the Spring and Summer terms from one of the following topics:

  • Specimen-based phylogenetics
  • Molecular systematics and genomics
  • ‘Big-data’ bioinformatics and biodiversity informatics

You’ll complete one research project in each of the Spring and Summer terms from one of the following topics:

  • Specimen-based phylogenetics
  • Molecular systematics and genomics
  • ‘Big-data’ bioinformatics and biodiversity informatics

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Computing labs
  • Journal clubs
  • Projects and assignments
  • Presentations and seminars
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • A person studying independently
    Independent study

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Lectures and practicals
  • Research project 1 – Spring term
  • Research project 2 – Summer term

  • 33% Lectures and practicals
  • 33% Research project 1 – Spring term
  • 33% Research project 2 – Summer term

Assessment methods

  • Papers from a written report
    Individual research project
  • Person making a presentation
    Presentations

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

How to apply

Apply online

You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.

Application deadlines – Round 3 closes on Thursday 4 April 2024

Tuition fees

Home fee

2024 entry

£15,150

Overseas fee

2024 entry

£30,600

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

Person in a bubble surrounded by 4 skills

Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for a career in systematics research.

Graduate Cap above rolled Degree

Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.

Person surrounded by small images of other people

Benefit from excellent networking opportunities through your work at both Imperial and the Natural History Museum.

Man standing under a sign pointing different directions

Students who graduate from Imperial's Life Sciences program are highly sought after by a variety of sectors.

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These include business and consultancy, health and social work, banking/finance, education, and manufacturing.

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications