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Teaching
The course is entirely research-based, so there are no taught elements (lectures etc.) However, students are encouraged to attend various seminars and courses run by the Department and within the wider University.
| One to one supervision | Postgraduate students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisor and update their student log to reflect those meetings. In addition to their principal supervisor, students also have an advisor and sometimes have a second supervisor, depending on the nature of the project. An adviser may be someone who can advise on certain aspects of the thesis, but can also advise on the overall shape of a student's project. In addition, the Department provides support and annual reviews with the course directors. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. The supervisor will provide written feedback to the student each term with progress reports submitted online. The feedback will relate to the progress the student has made and include a specific comment on their research project. This will be discussed with the student in advance of the submission of the report to the University. |
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| Seminars & classes | A student seminar is held every Friday, at which two students present their work to other members of the Department. MPhil students present at a seminar towards the end of their course. The student seminars are an important part of the MPhil and PhD journeys and a chance to hear about the wide range of research being carried out in the Department. Department seminars are also generally held weekly, with talks delivered by researchers within the Department and visiting speakers. The Department holds an annual Away Day of talks and networking at one of the Cambridge colleges. A student representative is appointed each year who organises further events for students in the Department. |
| Lectures | Lectures do not form part of the MPhil course, but postgraduate students can attend undergraduate lectures that may be beneficial to their research. |
| Posters and Presentations | Each research group holds lab meetings at which staff and students have a chance to present. Depending on the research group, there are often opportunities to attend and present at conferences. |
Feedback
All students attend regular laboratory meetings with their research group, have one-on-one meetings with their supervisor, and give a seminar presentation to the Department, after which audience feedback is given.
The Education Team meets with each student annually to review progress, and are available at any time to receive feedback from students or meet them to discuss any matters arising. The principal supervisor will write an online progress report at the end of each term, which can be accessed by the student.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The MPhil in Medical Science 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 perspective of the subject.
The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.