项目介绍

2021年7月29日

About the course

The Chemistry in Cells programme provides bespoke training for outstanding graduates from a physical/chemical- sciences background, who want to develop and apply quantitative chemical and physical science techniques to contemporary questions in biomedical science.

This course is taking part in a pilot on the assessment procedure of graduate applications to address conscious and unconscious bias for entry in the 2021-22 academic year. Please carefully read the instructions concerning submission of your CV/résumé in the How to apply section page of this page, as well as the full details about this pilot.

The course supports four years of DPhil study. The first term of the programme will provide training in research and transferable skills. This will include both taught and practical courses, and the opportunity to meet prospective supervisors and career mentors. Following a 16-week Springboard Phase, students will undertake their full DPhil project for approximately 3.5 years.

Taught transferable skills courses

Induction

An orientation to Oxford, the programme, and relevant facilities. An explanation of the course structure and procedures, expectations and responsibilities, research integrity/reproducibility and code of practice. Cohort bonding and interaction with prospective supervisors will be promoted throughout the week.

Taught science courses

Cells and Systems

This module introduces core concepts in molecular/cell biology for graduate students with a background in physical sciences.

Quantitative Chemical Biology

This module is delivered with our industrial collaborators and provides an overview of different quantitative chemical biology techniques, tools and statistical analysis used to study and manipulate biological systems.

Computational Approaches for Chemical Biology

This module is delivered with our industrial collaborators and provides an overview of computational techniques, including coding and machine learning applied to biological questions.

Introduction to Drug Discovery

This module focuses on how to develop bioactive molecules that are suitable for probing biological questions in vitro and in vivo. Some material is delivered by scientists from our industrial collaborators.

Practical science courses

Introduction to Experimental Bioscience

This course is designed for students with a physical sciences background to gain experience in wet-lab biological/biochemical research. It includes hands-on experience in methods and techniques that will be useful in the full DPhil project.

Life Skills for Scientists

This module provides training in transferable skills, resilience, equality diversity & inclusion, and exploration into diverse career opportunities.

Rotations and placements

Our programme allows students to gain experience in a range of environments through a variety of placements, which feeds into the substantive DPhil project:

Project week

During project week students visit the laboratories of prospective supervisors to assist decision making on project choice. This approach supports our vision that communication and informed choice promotes a positive DPhil experience and promotes an improved research culture.

Scientific placements

A 16-week Springboard phase is used to tailor training to suit the individual student needs, maximising the interdisciplinarity of the training. After the Springboard phase, students spend 41 months engaged in their substantive DPhil research.

Industrial placements

Students whose projects involve industrial collaboration undertake a 3-month (approx.) placement at our industrial collaborators. This provides students with experience of working in an industrial setting. Work undertaken on the placement will prioritise techniques and approaches that are relevant to the project, but which are not available within Oxford, ensuring that students maximise the skills gained within their DPhil. Students are supported during their industrial placements by industrial mentors and visits from Oxford supervisors.

Clinical placements

All of the directors have been inspired to conduct medically-relevant research by interactions with patients. To provide a clinical perspective on research all students undertake a placement in a hospital or other clinical setting. This will further inspire students to address major societal needs in their work.

Flexible career placements

Flexible funding to support short-term postdoctoral activities is available.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre (MSDTC) and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. A supervisor is often found outside the department. 

Assessment

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of six terms as a PRS student you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status.  

A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require the submission of a report on progress to date on research and future plans. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within ten terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track. 

Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination. 

You will be expected to submit an original thesis within a maximum of four years from the date of admission.  To be awarded a DPhil in Chemistry in Cells you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners. 

Graduate destinations

This is a new course and there are no alumni yet; graduate destinations will be posted as data become available.  However, throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to meet the Chemistry in Cells pool of career mentors with scientific backgrounds and diverse career paths. Our career mentors provide advice and guidance to our students as they explore and develop their career paths. There is flexible funding to support short-term postdoctoral activities undertaken directly after the DPhil is completed.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

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