MRes in Animal Behaviour
We run a one-year research-based masters (MRes) in Animal Behaviour. The programme provides a broad and thorough training in the biological study of behaviour. The training is tightly integrated with our Masters (MRes) in Evolution and Human Behaviour, as many of the same principles apply to the biological study of the behaviour of humans and other animals.
The programme involves 80 credits of taught modules, and a 24-week, 100-credit full-time research project carried out under the supervision of a CBE member. By the end of the degree, students will be able to critically read research papers, develop and test their own ideas in laboratory and field experiments, analyse their data and report their findings, and be ready for a PhD in behavioural science or a research career in a related area.
Structure of the MRes programme
Taught modules are concentrated in the first semester. They include a core module, which provides a training in key techniques and concepts for the biological study of behaviour. Working in small groups, students acquire a range of skills, from mathematical modeling to coding of behaviour, to experimental design. They also have opportunities to take modules from related areas of bioscience, such as neuroscience or epidemiology.
Students then complete and write up a substantial 24-week research project in Animal Behaviour. There are a wide variety of different project opportunities available. In recent years, we have had MRes students working on honeybee learning, locust locomotion, bird foraging, pig and horse welfare, amongst other things. These are just a few of the potential project areas on offer, but you can also propose a project in our main areas of research:
• Animal Welfare
• Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation
• Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
In addition, we have an Erasmus link with Rennes University for students to conduct their project in France, as well as good links with industrial partners in order that students can gain valuable experience of research in commercial organisations.
Research Environment
As an MRes student, you will be very much embedded in the research activities of our Centre. The CBE provides an extremely dynamic and supportive research environment. You will have access to excellent facilities in one of the largest behaviour groups in the country. We have weekly research meetings, where you will be able to discuss ideas and research with other students and CBE members. We also have regular visitors, external speakers (both from academia and industry) and workshops in areas of mutual interest (see News & Events). Students will be encouraged to attend the ASAB postgraduate student conference run at Easter each year (for which travel grants are available). In addition, we have extensive experience in writing papers (many of us are editors of leading journals in the field), and will encourage and help students to write up their experiments for publication. We can also provide career advice, and guidance for PhD applications.
Entry and application
To enter the MRes you need to have achieved good results (for UK students, 2.1 or higher) in an undergraduate degree in an appropriate scientific discipline, such as biology, zoology, psychology or anthropology. You can apply now via the online portal.
We encourage you to apply as early as possible in the year, especially if you are coming from overseas, as the process of obtaining visas can take time. Applicants to this degree can also apply for the Centre for Behaviour and Evolution MRes Scholarships (£1000 each). If you have any questions, or want to find out more about the MRes programme, please contact cbe@ncl.ac.uk.
Please note if your interests in Animal Behaviour are more applied or clinical, you might be interested in the MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, taught in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
