Teaching
The course is exclusively by research. Students are integrated into the research culture of the Department by joining a research group. Students will participate in their research group's regular laboratory meetings. Most research training is provided within the group structure. Each student will also be provided with an academic advisor who will offer independent guidance throughout the degree. Students are expected to attend the Department's research seminars and also postgraduate courses and skills training offered by the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences relevant to their training. Visit the Researcher Development page on the PSLS website for more information.
| One to one supervision |
Supervision will vary from student to student in accordance with student need and with the academic requirements of the project. However, all students can expect to interact with a member of their supervision team on a daily-to-weekly basis. Students can expect to receive direct guidance from their principal supervisor on at least a monthly basis, with more frequent guidance if required. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes |
Students are expected to attend the Department's research seminars and the postgraduate seminars run by the postgraduate students. Students are also able to attend seminars in other departments. |
| Journal clubs |
Some divisions or labs may run their own journal clubs. |
| Literature Reviews |
Students are expected to provide a "thesis abstract" within their first term, a brief literature review and a data management plan as part of their first-year report. |
| Posters and Presentations |
By the end of the first term, first year students are required to provide an abstract of their project and a data management plan. In their second year (pro-rata’d for part-time students), students are required to present a poster of their research at the Departmental Annual Symposium along with a 1 minute flash talk. Third year students (pro-rata’d for part-time students) are expected to present their work as part of the Postgraduate Seminar Series and students approaching submission are asked if they would like to present in the Department-wide Valedictory Seminar Series. Students may also have the opportunity to present their work at national or international conferences. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Entirely Research
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Placements
Placements may form part of the PhD.
Feedback
Each student will receive continuous feedback from their research supervisor throughout the duration of their degree. They will receive formal feedback following the first-year assessment, which comprises the submission of a First Year Report and oral examination. Students are also encouraged to meet regularly with their mentors, and can also expect to receive termly formal feedback reports via the online feedback and reporting system on CamSIS.
At the end of their second and third years (pro-rata’d accordingly for part-time students), students are expected to write a report which includes a timeline for the year ahead for discussion with their academic advisor and/or supervisor, which they receive feedback on.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Submission of a thesis and oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The thesis is not to exceed 60,000 words (80,000 by special permission) excluding tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices.