Who is it for?

This programme will suit students who are fascinated by the developments in modern biology, and are interested in the opportunities for applying rigorous mathematical, statistical and computational approaches to answering key questions in biology and medicine.

Why do an interdisciplinary PhD, rather than one focussed in one specific area?
  • Many key problems in biology, and many novel applications of mathematical approaches, lie at the interface of disciplines
  • The breadth of experience better equips the student to make future career decisions.
  • In order to maintain the depth of the PhD experience, the student will typically focus very strongly in the last two years in one particular discipline, being expert in one field and having a strong experience in one or more other areas.

For a student coming into this programme from a numerate background, by the end of the PhD programme they will have:
  • Learnt much (though not everything!) about biology.
  • Detailed knowledge of specific biomedical applications areas.
  • Learnt how to formulate questions about biological problems:
    • interpret biological literature
    • ability to discuss with a biologist
    • identify central features of a biological problem
  • Acquired specific skills in an applied numerate area.
  • Ability to apply mathematical modelling approaches within a complex and poorly defined application area.
  • Critical problem solving and interpretation skills relevant for a future career in the biological or pharmaceutical fields.

For a student entering the programme with a biological training, by the end of the PhD programme they will have:
  • Understanding of the basis of mathematical and statistical approaches.
  • Awareness how to identify appropriate numerical techniques for particular problems.
  • Ability to develop code in scripting or higher level languages to manage, analyse and model biological data.
  • Awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of rigorous modelling applied to biological data.
  • Ability to identify and communicate with statistical or mathematical experts relevant to a particular question.
  • Critical problem solving and interpretation skills relevant for a future career in the biological or pharmaceutical fields.

Career development

The structured PhD programme at UCD will provide courses including general transferable skills, intellectual property management and other areas relevant to future career. There are opportunities for industrial placement during the PhD which will help in planning their next steps. Students are strongly encouraged to publish their research during their PhD.

For students interested in MSc level training, they have the option of completing an MSc by research.

© University College Dublin, 2010. Some public domain images obtained from NIH Image Bank