Queen's University of Belfast - Medical Faculty

PhD in Food Safety and Biotechnology

Research degrees vary in length, but typically for a PhD they are three or four years long (full-time) and double that for part-time studies. They follow an annual cycle of progress with formal panel-based appraisals of the progress, the outcome of which is typically practical and academic advice about how to overcome problems encountered and how to move to the next stage. During each year, students are expected to supplement their studies with some tailored courses, ranging from highly specific (e.g. learning to use a piece of apparatus or technique) to generic (e.g. developing oral presentation or leadership skills). Every stage is supported by the supervisory team, augmented by an independent panel of progress monitors as well as the full support of the Graduate School.

Assessment

Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.

This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.

The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

Learning Outcomes

Un título de investigación de posgrado implica la realización de una investigación independiente bajo la guía de un equipo de supervisión académica profesional, generalmente utilizando las instalaciones de laboratorio que se ofrecen en uno o más de los laboratorios de los equipos. Se espera que el estudiante desarrolle sus propias ideas y aprenda los métodos necesarios para probarlas empírica y teóricamente. Esto generalmente implica aprender y practicar habilidades de laboratorio (y/o de campo), así como desarrollar una sólida base teórica en el tema relevante.

Además del trabajo práctico, durante la carrera de investigación se desarrollarán todas las actividades de investigación académica independiente, como la búsqueda de literatura y la evaluación crítica, las comunicaciones escritas y verbales y el trabajo en red académico. Se fomentará en gran medida la independencia y la innovación, pero el estudiante recibirá el apoyo de una supervisión regular. También se ofrecerá una amplia gama de cursos, tanto de competencias específicas de la asignatura como de competencias genéricas, especialmente respaldados por la Escuela de Posgrado.

Students are encouraged to interact with one another and with members of academic staff and postdoctoral scientists to build confidence and informal learning, through a range of ‘research culture’ activities, including peer groups where students get together to discuss topical research papers, or methods, or just chat about their interests.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Career prospects in the biological sciences are exceptionally good. To some extent, it depends on the specific topic, of course, but laboratory-based and especially quantitative skills and the proven innovation of a PhD or MPhil are highly sought after. Degrees are very much in demand, both in commercial science and public sector research and development (e.g. drug discovery and development, crop and animal improvements and welfare, sustainable agriculture and resource use, human nutrition and health, animal health, ecological management, food safety and technology, scientific communications, regulation, and many more fields).

Employment after the Course

Los graduados han pasado a ser científicos investigadores y consultores profesionales, o han ocupado puestos técnicos y ejecutivos junior en el comercio y el gobierno.