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Technology Policy is no longer accepting new applications.
Teaching
The programme is centred on six core modules, assessed normally by examination. In addition, students will take a total of six electives: two skills or sectorial electives; two enterprise stream electives (focusing on the public sector or private enterprise); and two open electives (drawn from other skills, sectorial, and enterprise stream electives, or from a select list of open electives). During the Easter term students will produce a written report for their final group project, which will be based on a placement at a major public or private sector technology-intensive organisation. The final group project is double-weighted.
Students will have the opportunity to take part in regular policy seminars led by speakers from both public and private sector organisations, drawing on visiting Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) fellows and leading applied economists working on technology policy.
Students will also take a pre-term Introduction to the Microeconomics module.
| One to one supervision | Supervisors will provide general academic advice to students, and subject-specific advice relating to the Final Group Project. Students and supervisors will meet regularly to discuss progress. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. One to one supervision is not provided. Students do not engage in independent research. |
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| Seminars & classes | Students will attend weekly classes (lectures and seminars), as well as regular guest speaker events. Students are normally expected to do pre-reading in order to participate in classes and seminars, contribute to group work, and deliver individual or group presentations where required. |
| Lectures | Students will normally attend an average of ten hours of lectures per week, although this will vary depending on the choice of modules. |
Placements
The final group project is based on work with a relevant branch of government or a major technology-based organisation.
More information is available here.
Feedback
Every effort is made to provide students with provisional marks and feedback on their coursework performance. Marks will be given as a percentage.
The nature and extent of the feedback given will vary from lecturer to lecturer, but students may reasonably expect to receive some indication of the strengths and weaknesses of any work submitted. All marks and feedback provided during the year are informal and provisional. Final marks are only determined at the end of the degree by the Board of Examiners. In some cases, the University or other departmental rules prevent us from providing even provisional grades before the Examiners' meeting.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
A dissertation is not required.
Essays
Students are assessed by formal examinations, term papers, regular written assignments, and class participation. Some team grading is used, as appropriate. The assessment aims to measure the assimilation and application of theory and to gauge experiential learning.
Students will undertake a Final Group Project (FGP). The FGP will be based on a placement at a major public or private technology-intensive organisation. Assessment is based on a 12,000-word final report produced under faculty supervision and a client presentation.
Written examination
The six core modules are normally assessed by written examination.
Practical assessment
A presentation forms part of the Final Group Project assessment. Presentations may also be required on certain electives, at the discretion of individual lecturers.