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Teaching
The course comprises two key sections:
Section 1: In-person and online taught materials (multiple approaches to delivery of materials to ensure engagement), of ~100 hours of lectures and tutorials.
Section 2: Research project and dissertation to include literature review, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results as well as presentation of results, with the project lasting around 32 weeks.
Section 1: Taught materials, coursework and transferable skills
This will be delivered during the Michaelmas Term.
Course-specific teaching
In the course-specific teaching, lectures/tutorials will cover:
1) An introduction to the neuroanatomical bases of neurological conditions with modules covering neuroanatomy, neurochemistry as well as research methods and statistics.
2) State-of-the-art research in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences with modules covering Neuroimmunology, Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, Neuro-oncology, Neuroprotection.
3) Neurological and neuro-oncological imaging with topics covering Functional Neurology/Neurosurgery, Molecular Neuroimaging, Neurophysiology, and Neuroimaging.
4) Regulatory and ethical frameworks, covering the different regulatory and ethical requirements for advanced treatments and the importance of ethics in research.
Transferable skills
In the transferable skills lectures/tutorials, students will learn about research design and methodology, data collection, data analysis, statistical methodology, inclusivity, sustainability and social responsibility, communication, team building, and training on planning, writing, and delivering scientific oral and poster presentations.
Section 2: Research Project
The research project will begin in October and will run for around 32 weeks. It will be conducted under the supervision of any of the Principal Investigators and/or (clinical and non-clinical) research associates in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Students will be given a list of potential projects and supervisors to choose from, and they will also be given the option to develop a student-initiated project with a supervisor.
Students will present their proposed project in peer review small group sessions and will be required to submit a project plan prior to beginning work on the project under the guidance and management of the research project manager with support from the supervisor and course directors. Students will be given time and will be supported in the first 4 weeks of Michaelmas Term to meet with supervisors to discuss potential projects, and to develop a research project outline.
Students will be advised to write up the research project to comprise: 1) a comprehensive literature review of the field, providing the background to and context of the research project; and, 2) a dissertation outlining the project outcomes: aims, methods, results, data analysis and discussion, with a final presentation.
| One to one supervision | Each participant will have an individual termly meeting with the course director to discuss learning goals and progress. Participants will be assigned to action learning sets of no more than 6 individuals to discuss shared and individual challenges, and to help develop and work on their projects in small learning communities. 9 hours per year are assigned to this. |
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| Seminars & classes | The Department runs student seminars every Friday (except August), at which two or three students present their work to staff and other students in the Department. Students will present at similar seminars to give them exposure to seminar presentation and a chance to respond to questions. The student seminars are an important part of the MPhil journey and a chance to hear about the wide range of research being carried out in the Department. Also a great chance to network with other students and members of the Department |
| Lectures | Taught Material This will comprise ~100 hours of lectures and tutorials, with the course's intake allowing these to be interactive. The vast majority of the taught material will be delivered during the Michaelmas Term. |
| Practicals | Practical experience will be gained from completing a research project with a Principal investigator. During the research project we expect participants to gain knowledge and skills in experimental design, experimental skills, data collection, data analysis and presentation. Training will include ongoing critical review of project progress by the supervisor and other members of the research group. Participants will be embedded in the team of the supervisor they are working with, and will spend 24-32 hours per week on the project, for 32 weeks. |
| Small group teaching | Student directed online skills learning through dedicated ‘flipped classroom’ taught materials will be consolidated with in-person interactive follow-up discussions. Small group work will allow participants to work through key concepts and allow discussion relevant to particular areas of interest. Small group work accounts for approximately 32.5 hours (13 hours online with the rest in-person). |
| Journal clubs | Journal clubs with fellow course participants will be facilitated by senior researchers, aimed at building presentation and critical appraisal skills. 10.5 hours (6 sessions) per year. |
| Literature Reviews | As part of the research project component of the course participants will be required to produce a literature review of the field providing background to, context for and the objectives of the research project. The course includes lectures on literature searching and evidence appraisal, with small group work to consolidate skills. All participants will be fully supported by the University of Cambridge Medical Library team in accessing the library's resources. |
| Posters and Presentations | As part of the course participants will need to present a paper at a journal club and give an oral presentation in a conference-style setting. To prepare for these, the course incorporates teaching on the skills and techniques required to successfully present to both academic and lay audiences, in visual and oral formats, as well as the specific skills needed for a short, engaging talk. |
| Taught/Research Balance | Predominantly Taught |
Feedback
Frequent feedback will be provided to participants. In the first term this will be via small group sessions, and in terms 2 and 3 via regular meetings with a research supervisor and their team. Each participant will also have an individual meeting with a course director termly.
In addition to the formally assessed elements of the course, there will be several activities where individual formative feedback will be provided:
Oral presentation at journal club. Each student will be given the opportunity to present a paper relevant to their research project during Lent or Easter Terms. Formative feedback will be provided on content, clarity, delivery and ability to answer questions
Poster. Based on research project development ideas, presented at seminar in week 2 Lent Term facilitating group feedback to the individual on poster layout and design, content and clarity.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
In addition to the taught component of the course (Michaelmas Term), participants will complete an individual research project, which will form some of the course assessment. Participants will be provided with a range of potential research projects, working with Principal Investigators and/or senior researchers in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
Students will present their proposed project in peer review small group sessions and will be required to submit a project plan prior to beginning work on the project under the guidance and management of the research project manager with support from the supervisor and course directors. Students will be given time and will be supported in the first 4 weeks of Michaelmas Term to meet with supervisors to discuss potential projects, and to develop a research project outline.
Students will be advised to write up the research project to comprise: 1) a comprehensive literature review of the field, providing the background to and context of the research project; and, 2) a dissertation outlining the project outcomes: aims, methods, results, data analysis and discussion, with a final presentation.
The dissertation will be marked on quality of writing, flow of narrative, inclusion of appropriate literature, level of critical appraisal; clarity, detail, and reproducibility of methods and sound interpretation of results. Importantly the dissertation should present original research that contributes new knowledge or insights to the field, demonstrating the student's ability to conduct independent and innovative work.
The dissertation will make up 60% of the overall assessment, while the oral presentation of the research findings will account for an additional 10% of the final mark.
Essays
Essay: Will be on a topic related to one of the course modules (<5,000 words). It will be marked on insight into the topic area and should present ideas in a clear and logical manner, with well- structured paragraphs and smooth transitions between points. The essay should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic, providing insightful analysis and supporting arguments with relevant evidence. Submission will be on the last day of Lent Term. 20% of the total mark.
Written examination
Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) test: Knowledge assessed based on Michaelmas Term taught material at around week 2 of Lent Term. Scored on accuracy of understanding the questions related to each sub-topic in Michaelmas Term lectures. 10% of total mark.