Teaching

The MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies is a full-time interdisciplinary course which involves teaching in evolutionary anthropology, human and hominin evolution and prehistory, human behavioural ecology, primate behaviour and evolution, evolutionary aspects of human health and development, cultural evolution, and genetics. Core modules cover human primate ecology and behaviour, human evolution, comparative human biology and statistical methods.

The programme is organised around four learning methods:

Lectures are designed to cover particular topics in human evolutionary studies. MPhil students are encouraged to sit in on other non-assessed ‘special topics’ courses that are relevant to their specific interests.

Seminars and discussion sessions designed to provide students with intensive engagement with academic staff across the range of topics covered in the lecture courses. They are highly interactive and provide students with the opportunity to explore the fit between theory and methods. Preparation and participation in seminars is expected of all students.

Small-group teaching, modelled on Cambridge’s undergraduate supervisions, provide students with an opportunity to develop writing skills, read in-depth around topics other than the subject of their dissertation, receive feedback, and act as a forum to monitor progress.

Independent Research. Students are expected to engage in independent learning and their success depends on their willingness to undertake self-directed study. The MPhil co-ordinator and other academic staff are available to guide students in undertaking such study, in addition to their designated supervisor.

The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding teaching and examination of MPhil degrees.

One to one supervision	Students have small-group teaching sessions on topics related to the lecture courses in parallel to the lecture courses. Students are encouraged to attend relevant seminars, and participate in post-seminar informal discussions with academic staff and other students. Students are also appointed a research supervisor, to help with the choice of topic and monitor the progress of the student’s research for the dissertation throughout the year. These meetings provide the student with an opportunity to seek academic information and advice and are a forum to monitor students' progress. Students can normally expect to have around 6-8 supervision meetings depending on the nature of their course and dissertation.
Seminars & classes	Students attend a series of MPhil discussion seminars focused on research and academic writing skills. Typically students can expect two hours of these seminars per week in Michaelmas and Lent terms. Additionally, three of the core modules include three seminars in the second half of Lent Term. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend the Biological Anthropology seminar series, which takes place weekly during term time.
Lectures	Students are expected to attend lectures in four core modules covering the breadth of subjects in evolutionary anthropology, as well as data science and methods for statistical inference. They are also encouraged to attend specialist one-term long lecture/seminar series in areas of particular interest. Students are expected to attend 8 hours of lectures per week for the compulsory core modules and can spend as many hours as they wish auditing other specialist lectures.
Practicals	Students are encouraged to attend any practicals associated with courses that would enhance their methodological and technical skills. Students should approach the relevant course coordinator for permission to attend any practicals associated with courses that they are not formally enrolled in, as these sessions may have restricted-size classes.
Small group teaching	The course includes small-group sessions to discuss and develop ideas from the lecture courses. These include the writing of essays to develop writing and synthesising skills, on which students receive feedback.
Journal clubs	Journal clubs are normally student-driven and organised around particular interest groups. Students are encouraged to organise them, and to invite other students and researchers to participate.
Posters and Presentations	Students are expected to give two presentations during their course to develop their science communication skills focused on their thesis progression - one in the form of a poster, the other as a short powerpoint presentation.
Taught/Research Balance	Equal Taught/Research

Feedback

Students can expect to receive termly online progress reports. Supervisors or module coordinators may provide additional written or oral feedback on assessed work.

Students are invited to group meetings throughout the year to discuss progress and concerns in order to address issues as and when they arise.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The dissertation is an extended piece of independent, original research. Students work with their supervisor to formulate a dissertation project, carry out research and write it up. Students may choose between two alternative formats for their dissertation:

• either in the form of a thesis of not more than 20,000 words in length, or

• in the form of a research article. The article may be in preparation, submitted for publication or already published, and should not exceed 20,000 words.

An oral examination (viva) is not normally required, but examiners reserve the right to hold one if they judge it necessary to make a recommendation.

Essays

Work submitted as part of the taught component of the degree takes the form of a quantitative exercise on statistical analysis and interpretation, essays on topics drawn from the three other core lecture courses, and an assessment of scientific communication skills in the form of a public science article.

Written examination

Students taking the MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies may be required to sit in-class tests for some modules.