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Human Evolutionary Studies is no longer accepting new applications.
Teaching
The MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies is a full-time interdisciplinary course, taken over a period of ten months, and involving teaching in evolutionary anthropology, human and hominin morphology, primate behaviour and evolution, archaeology and genetics. The lecturers are primarily involved in research and teaching within Biological Anthropology, in the Department of Archaeology.
This taught MPhil invites applicants who are prepared for graduate work and wish to receive interdisciplinary training, but who do not have sufficient education in human evolutionary studies in their background to be considered for the research MPhil or doctoral work. This is a demanding course which enables students to obtain interdisciplinary training and specialist knowledge in an area of human evolutionary studies over a relatively short time frame. Subject to performance in the examination, the course prepares students to undertake an advanced degree.
| One to one supervision | Supervisions are offered on thesis and seminars are offered on papers. Students are able to request supervisions with their supervisors as and when required. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes | Students attend a series of academic and professional development seminars and are expected to give 2-3 short presentations across the year on their dissertation work. |
| Lectures | Students attend lectures on subjects of their choosing and receive training in methods for statistical inference. |
| Practicals | Some modules will have coursework or practical elements, depending on student choice and modules on offer. |
| Small group teaching | Students are able to attend and organise seminars. |
| Journal clubs | May be arranged as small interest groups. |
| Literature_reviews | As arranged on an individual basis with supervisors. |
Feedback
Formative feedback is provided in written comments on assessed work. 2-3 individual meetings with the MPhil Director are scheduled across the year, and more can be arranged on request. All marks released to students through the course of the year are provisional until certified by the final examiners meeting in September.
Assessment
Thesis
All students will write a thesis of not more than 20,000 words, excluding tables, appendices, and references, on a subject approved by the Faculty Degree Committee. This is worth 50 per cent of the final mark.
Essays
All students will undertake a quantitative exercise on statistical analysis and interpretation and a number of essays and other written assignments which will total 50% of the final mark.
The written assignments may take the form of an essay, article, grant application or laboratory report. Excluding the quantitative exercise, these assignments will total no more than 8000 words.
Written examination
Not normally required.