The Department offers research programmes leading to the award of the MPhil and PhD degrees in Botany, Zoology, Experimental Biology, Environmental Biology or Oceanography.
If you decide to pursue a research degree, it is important that the thesis topic chosen be of genuine and sustainable interest. This overview of current research being undertaken by members of staff and graduate students should prove helpful. Candidates may also contact possible supervisors to discuss proposed research projects. PhD applicants should prepare a statement of proposed research indicating their topic and research strategy.
Entry to the MPhil degree program is a first or upper second class BSc (Honours) degree in the Life Sciences. Candidates having a lower second class honours BSc may be accepted into an MPhil programme following special recommendation by the Department. Registration for the research degrees may be on a part-time or full-time basis. An MPhil degree normally takes three years of intensive research on a full-time basis, while a PhD degree usually takes five years.
With the exception of holders of MPhil degrees from recognised universities, a candidate for the PhD degree is normally required to register for the MPhil degree in the first instance.
Applications for transfer to a PhD programme from MPhil are encouraged where students display exceptional promise. Candidates who are upgrading their registration to the PhD are required to have presented at least one (1) seminar before their upgrade seminar can be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
A successful transfer to a PhD programme involves the satisfactory completion of a transfer seminar. The seminar includes a summary of the MPhil work to date, a presentation of results to date, and a proposal for extension of the work to PhD level.
For the award of the degree, the student submits a thesis and, for the PhD, defends this in an oral examination. Research leading to a PhD would demonstrate a level of originality beyond that of an MPhil and the research would incorporate an experimental component.
Students are also expected to read prescribed courses which are intended to provide them with research techniques and skills that will not only help them to complete their current research, but also strengthen their practical application skills for life after university. PhD candidates are required to have presented at least three(3) seminars before they can submit their theses for examination.
| Course Code | Title | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| ENVR6402 | Research Methods and Project Management | MPhil & PhD Students |
| ENVR6405 | Management and Analysis of Environmental Data | MPhil & PhD Students |
| RETH9005 | Thesis | Register for this course every semester until you graduate |
| GRSM6501 | Research Seminar I | MPhil Students only |
| GRSM6501 | Research Seminar II | MPhil Students only |
| GRSM9501 | Research Seminar I | PhD Students only |
| GRSM9502 | Research Seminar II | PhD Students only |
| GRSM9503 | Research Seminar III | PhD Students only |
Each student receives guidance from an Advisory Committee that consists of a Supervisor, who is an expert in the area of research to be undertaken, and at least two other persons with related expertise.
Students are encouraged to seek opportunities to present their work. Funding is available, through grants from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research to attend local and international conferences and other events relevant to a student's research topic/area. In addition, there is a biennial conference organized and held locally by the Faculty of Science and Technology and students are encouraged to submit posters and/or oral presentations on their work.
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
