M.Sc Biological Imaging

Course description
This course focuses on the tools scientists can use to answer biological questions, from how cancer cells grow to how plant cells breathe. You can learn super-resolution and atomic force microscopy techniques from specialists in the University of Sheffield’s Biophysical Imaging Centre and Light Microscopy Facility, and electron microscopy techniques from the scientists running our new £2 million Arctica microscope.

At the start of the course, each week is devoted to a different technique. You’ll learn the theory by attending lectures and studying key scientific papers, then get practical training on how to use our specialist equipment to capture detailed images of biological systems. You will learn how to analyse and write up the data you have produced, often by learning to use code to programme your own analysis tools.

Your career

We have close links with lots of companies in the microscopy industry, such as Nikon Instruments, Zeiss and Hamamatsu, who we’ve collaborated with on projects, and that we’ve sourced state-of-the-art equipment from. Our industry partners will support your learning by giving guest lectures, designing research projects and providing insights into possible jobs after graduation. The course is also great preparation for a PhD.