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Teaching
The course is exclusively by research. The project and supervisor are determined during the application process.
Research training is provided within the group structure and overseen by the research supervisor. Opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring by fellow students and members of staff.
All students on this programme will be members of the University’s Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) which offers a wide variety of core skills and professional development training. Visit the Researcher Development page on the PSLS website for more information.
| One to one supervision | The regularity with which postgraduate students meet with their Supervisor varies throughout the year but meetings are likely to be more frequent to start with, during the planning stages, and during the writing-up phase. Additional supervision may be provided within the research group as designated by the lead supervisor. There may also be the opportunity to attend regular lab meetings with the supervisor and other research group members. All students should have the opportunity to seek formal feedback from their Supervisor, and Supervisors should have the opportunity to give such feedback. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Posters and Presentations | MPhil students are required to present a talk at the annual Departmental research symposium. |
Feedback
Students will receive regular oral feedback and advice from their supervisor about performance and research direction throughout the course, and students can also expect to receive termly formal feedback reports via the Postgraduate Feedback and Reporting System (PFRS).
The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding feedback.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The examination for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Biological Science (PDN) consists of a thesis of not more than 20,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices. The assessment also includes an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.