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Teaching
The MPhil in Physics is a 12-month full-time programme and involves minimal formal teaching. Students are expected to attend the Department’s programme of research seminars and other postgraduate courses but most research training is provided within the group structure and overseen by their supervisor. Informal opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring and other opportunities offered by fellow students and members of staff.
| One to one supervision | The supervisory team consists of the principal supervisor (normally referred to as the supervisor) and sometimes an adviser. The supervisor is the main person appointed to oversee and help with a student's programme of study and an adviser is appointed to act as a second point of contact for academic advice. 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 will be advised by their supervisor which seminars and classes to attend based on their relevance to the chosen research project and also to best facilitate integration into the host research group. |
| Lectures | Students will be advised by their supervisor which lectures to attend based on their relevance to the chosen research project and also to best facilitate integration into the host research group. |
| Journal clubs | Students will be advised by their supervisor which journal clubs to attend based on their relevance to the chosen research project and also to best facilitate integration into the host research group. |
| Posters and Presentations | The Cavendish Postgraduate Student Conference is held annually, organised by postgraduate students, and is a one-day event of talks and poster presentations by postgraduate students from all research groups. |
Feedback
Supervisors report termly on the progress of their students and these reports are available to the student.
Postgraduate students are represented on the Department's Postgraduate Student Consultative Committee, which normally meets five times a year, and consists of one or more student representatives from each of the research groups. The committee exists to enable discussion of any issue affecting postgraduate studies and students may approach any member of the committee to suggest items for discussion.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The scheme of examination for the MPhil in Physics consists of a thesis, of not more than 15,000 words, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Physics and Chemistry.
The examination includes an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The thesis provides evidence to satisfy the examiners that a candidate can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspectives of the subject.