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Teaching
Our PhD programme is purely research-based with no taught components or lectures. Some academics will ask their PhD students to attend some lectures relevant to their research, but in such cases, the student does not normally undertake the assigned coursework or exams.
| One to one supervision | The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice that sets out the University's expectations regarding supervision. Students are also advised to contact the group and their Supervisor before making a decision about joining a particular research group. Questions regarding research funding and equipment available to the group should equally be discussed prior to any commitment. In most cases, students can expect at least two supervisions per full term across the duration of their course. Supervision reports are written once per term. |
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| Seminars & classes | All of our first-year PhD (probationary) students are required to attend at least 50% of department seminars during the first two terms of each year (Michaelmas and Lent); lists of the seminars are typically provided at the start of each term. Students are also required to attend the Department's Researcher Development courses. PhD students are expected to present their work as part of their First Year assessment. PhD students will have to contribute to Sustainability and Green Impact activities organised by the department in order to offset the carbon impact of their research. |
| Lectures | Our PhD programme is purely research-based with no taught components or lectures. Some academics will ask their PhD students to attend some lectures relevant to the research, but in such cases, the student does not normally undertake the assigned coursework or exams. |
| Literature Reviews | All first-year PhD students will provide a three-month report, which will contain a literature review. |
| Posters and Presentations | First-year PhD students give an oral presentation of their work to date as part of their first-year assessment. All postgraduate research students are required to attend the annual CEB Research Conference, and additionally, they are expected to present a poster in the second year and their work in a talk in the third year.
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Placements
Depending upon the project, funding, and collaborators, students may have the opportunity to spend time in industrial laboratories of project partners.
Feedback
In most cases, students can expect at least two supervisions per full term across the duration of their course. Each student's Supervisor will provide a supervision report each term.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
After completing three years (nine terms) but no longer than four years (full-time), a PhD student must submit a thesis of up to 65,000 words. The thesis will be orally examined by two examiners, usually one who is internal and a second who is external to the University.
Other
All first-year PhD (Probationary) students complete a literature review and compile their findings in a short report that is submitted three months after the start of their PhD.
Near the end of the first year, all students submit a first-year report and are assessed orally. Additionally, as part of the assessment, students will present their work to their examiners. If successful, the student will then be fully registered for the PhD.