Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (Research)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The MSc by Research / The DPhil (a PhD at other universities) in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics offers a wide range of research topics within a large multi-disciplinary and world-renowned department, spanning a diverse spectrum of research areas.

Research in the department is organised around seven major themes.

Within each of these themes there are several research groups and centres. All staff and doctoral students belong to one or more of these research groups, each of which has its own seminar programme to which graduate students often contribute. In addition, the department as a whole sponsors regular seminars and public lectures which attract distinguished national and international speakers.

You will conduct research at Oxford under the supervision of academic staff who are at the forefront of developments in your chosen research project area. You will explore your research subject area to new depths and have the opportunity to present your findings to members of the international scientific community with whom, one day, you may well collaborate.

After attending the new graduate students’ induction day, you will meet your supervisor and fellow group members. You will complete an Analysis of your Training Needs (TNA) with your supervisor and then attend any training courses from the divisional flexible skills training programme which you will need in your research project. The courses on the toolkit include a range of workshops and seminars in transferable skills, generic research skills and specific research techniques which may be pertinent to your DPhil research area. You will have access to regular departmental seminars and peer presentation groups for fine tuning presentation deliverance alongside graduate student social events which incorporate informal talks aimed at students. Examples are Public Speaking and Securing Your First Postdoc Job, Careers, Poster Presentation and from seminars talks in various themes from eminent worldwide scientists, to talks on local research being conducted in the department. Special lectures are given to recognise previous famous scientists of the department and will vary in subject.

You will be encouraged to submit termly reports on your progress and report courses undertaken. Your supervisor will also contribute to your termly reports.

DPhil students are encouraged to volunteer as one of several student representatives in their second year of study, to sit on various committees, to host seminar speakers and to arrange student social events. MSc By Research students will also be encouraged to support and attend social events ranging from informal talks to social DPAG graduate student events.

For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas