Teaching
During their MPhil, the students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor and the CIMR Postgraduate Education Committee. There is no formal taught and examined course work. Along with the specific research training provided in the laboratory in which the student works, he or she receives further training within the CIMR in the form of postgraduate workshops concentrating on research techniques, research seminars both on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and elsewhere in the University, and postgraduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship.
| One to one supervision |
Students are supervised on day-to-day basis either by their Primary Supervisor or senior postdocs. Discussions are provided on a daily basis at the bench and weekly during lab meetings and journal clubs. The supervisor on average will meet with the student every two weeks to discuss progress. 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 |
Students can attend a variety of core principles sessions, seminars, talks and workshops within CIMR, the Graduate School of Life Sciences and elsewhere in the University. |
| Small group teaching |
Regular lab meetings (1-2 hours) within the research group. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Entirely Research
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Feedback
Students receive feedback regarding their progress in the form of written online termly reports from their supervisor.
Moreover, verbal feedback will be provided frequently by the project supervisor as part of the day-to-day supervision.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The course is examined by thesis and oral examination (viva). The thesis must be no longer than 20,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices, and must satisfy the internal and external examiner 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.