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

대학원 연구 학위는 전문 학술 감독 팀의 지도 하에 독립적인 연구를 수행하는 것을 포함하며, 일반적으로 한 개 이상의 팀 실험실에서 제공되는 실험실 시설을 사용합니다. 학생은 자신의 아이디어를 개발하고 경험적, 이론적으로 테스트하는 데 필요한 방법을 배울 것으로 기대됩니다. 여기에는 일반적으로 실험실(또는 현장) 기술을 배우고 연습하는 것과 관련 주제에 대한 강력한 이론적 배경을 개발하는 것이 포함됩니다.

실무 작업과 더불어 문헌 검색 및 비판적 평가, 서면 및 구두 커뮤니케이션, 학술적 네트워킹과 같은 모든 독립적인 학술 장학금 활동은 연구 학위 과정에서 개발됩니다. 독립성과 혁신은 강력히 권장되지만 학생은 정기적인 감독 지도를 통해 지원됩니다. 또한, 특히 대학원의 지원을 받는 과목별 기술과 일반 기술 모두에서 광범위한 과정이 제공됩니다.

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

졸업생들은 전문 연구 과학자, 컨설턴트가 되거나 상업 및 정부 부문에서 기술 및 주니어 임원직을 맡고 있습니다.