This course is exclusively by research. Modern genetics has today evolved beyond its traditional boundaries to become a fundamental part of biology and medicine. The Department reflects this pervasiveness, with research interests encompassing several high impact themes, including functional genomics and systems biology, developmental genetics, epigenetic Inheritance, evolution and population genetics, microbial genetics, and cell biology. The Department is based in a historic building on the Downing Site but has research groups located in the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge Systems Biology Centre and Sainsbury Labs as well as an impressive range of local, national and international collaborations. MPhil students in the Department will undertake a 1-year project under the supervision of one of our Group Leaders, where they will develop an original research question and address this through laboratory or computer based research. They will receive training in appropriate research methods and in literature research skills to prepare them for writing an MPhil thesis within the year. The MPhil course also includes research skills training and could be seen as preparation for a further research degree. By the end of the programme, students will have: a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research; demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical; understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field; shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies and demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.