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Teaching
Students are encouraged to take individual responsibility for developing their knowledge and skills in their own subject area, and seek opportunities for training in the Department of Materials Science, and other University departments.
However, the PhD is essentially a full-time research course.
PhD students are encouraged to participate in many of the training opportunities and other activities available to students in the University, including seminars given by members of the University and experts from outside, and external conferences, and to become fully integrated members of the Department’s Research School.
| One to one supervision | 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 should attend the Goldsmiths' Seminar Series, to develop their general knowledge of Materials Science, and meet eminent scientists in their areas of research interest. |
| Lectures | Students are required to attend and pass the assessment tests for two "in-depth" courses during their first year of study (each course is typically six to 12 lectures in length) and a range of introductory "techniques" lectures which are available early in the Michaelmas term. |
| Posters and Presentations | Students are expected to make a departmental presentation towards the end of their second or third year of study, and to prepare and display a poster on their research project, or the general area in which it falls, towards the end of their first or second year. They will also participate in group seminars and conference activities. |
Placements
Students who receive support from an industrial collaborator may be required to spend some time on placement with the sponsoring organisation.
Feedback
The regularity with which students will meet their supervisors will vary according to the nature and stage of the research programme. Students should clarify with their supervisors the frequency of these meetings and be prepared to take the initiative in arranging these discussions. Students can expect to receive an online feedback report each term.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Assessment is by submission of a thesis not exceeding 60,000 words. The thesis is examined in an oral examination by two examiners appointed individually for each candidate.
Other
All PhD students are probationary in the first year. Progression to the second year and registration for the PhD depends on a successful first-year review. Towards the end of the first year, students are required to submit a written progress report containing a literature review, an account of the research performed and a plan of future work. The report is examined by two assessors and an oral examination of the report will be undertaken. Students are also expected to pass the assessment tests for the in-depth courses attended during their first year.
Different arrangements may be made for those students who are registered as part of certain programmes, for example, EPSRC CDT, but they will essentially be the same as those above. In these cases, the length of the probationary registration may differ and any courses undertaken in the first year of study may substitute for in-depth courses.