About the Department
We are an active and expanding department with an excellent record in both research and teaching. At any one time we have approximately 500 undergraduate and 40 postgraduate research students and 15 postgraduate taught students. Our staff includes 40 academics, 30 postdoctoral research workers, 45 technical staff and 15 secretarial staff. Our total research grant income is in excess of £15 million.
We undertake cutting edge research into the mechanisms that co-ordinate the organisation of molecules into cells, cells into tissues and tissues into whole animals, with special reference to the eventual application of the knowledge gained to human biology and medicine. We house extensive and specialist research facilities and incorporate three major research centres - The MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics (CDBG), the Centre for Stem Cell Biology (CSCB) and the Centre for Membrane Interactions and Dynamics (CMIAD).
The department aims to teach students from its research base in order to disseminate knowledge of modern biology, to instruct future clinical practitioners in the biological basis of medicine and to train future researchers.
In the past few years over £40m has been spent on our facilities to deliver state-of-the-art laboratories, lecture theatres, computer suites and teaching equipment, providing an outstanding learning and working environment for our students and staff. We are located on a single site at the heart of the University, across from the Student Union facilities and the Information Commons library. The city centre can be reached in a 10 minute walk from the University.
Top 50 in the world for Life Sciences
Life Sciences at the University of Sheffield have been ranked 37th in the world. Read more on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011/12.
University of the Year
The University of Sheffield has been named UK University of the Year in the 2011 Times Higher Education Awards. We've won this prestigious award because we’re a world-class university in a unique city. We are a community true to our civic roots and our straightforward approach informs everything we do, both close to home and around the world. Read more.