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. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Entirely Research
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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
This course is examined by thesis and oral examination (viva). The thesis must be no longer than 20,000 words (exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices) and must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider context of the subject.