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Teaching
Students will spend the Michaelmas and Lent terms undertaking taught course modules. Students will take an equivalent of eight full modules (which may include a number of half-modules), with the compulsory modules and permitted combinations of optional modules depending on which of the four pathways the student is pursuing. There will be a core of compulsory modules common to all pathways; each pathway then prescribes different combinations of compulsory and optional modules. A final module can be freely chosen from any of the modules available on the course.
From the end of the Lent Term through to the end of the course, students will conduct a substantial research project leading to a dissertation.
The taught modules will be in a range of styles: traditional lecture courses, lecture courses with associated practical classes, reading clubs, and seminar-style modules. The course will emphasise coursework in several of the taught modules. Software projects aimed at implementing algorithms and modelling methods will be central to the practical modules and the research project.
| One to one supervision | 16 hours per year The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes | 12 hours per year |
| Lectures | 144 hours per year |
| Practicals | 16 hours per year |
| Literature Reviews | The dissertation will involve a review of the literature relevant to the topic, as directed by the supervisor. |
| Posters and Presentations | Students will give a presentation on their dissertation research and will be required to participate in a poster day. Students will also gain experience in preparing presentations as part of their coursework. |
Feedback
Students can expect to receive reports at least termly from the course director (or a delegate). They will receive comments on items of coursework and will have access to a University supervisor for their dissertation. All students will also have personal access to the course director and the other staff delivering the course.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Students will write a dissertation of no more than 15,000 words. The broad subject area of the dissertation will be determined by the pathway which the student is pursuing.
Essays
Several of the core courses are examined wholly or mainly through coursework. Some optional modules will also be examined through coursework.
Written examination
Some of the core courses are examined wholly or mainly through written examination. Some of the optional modules will also be examined through written examination.
Other
At the discretion of the examiners, candidates may be required to take an oral examination on the work submitted during the course, and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.