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Teaching
This programme involves minimal formal teaching: students are integrated into the research culture of the Department by joining a research group. Most research training is provided within the group structure and overseen by their research supervisor, but they are also expected to attend the Department’s programme of research seminars and other postgraduate courses and such other skills training offered by the Postgraduate School as is relevant to their education. Informal opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring by fellow students and members of staff.
All students on this programme will be members of the University’s Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) who offer a wide variety of core skills and professional development training. Visit the Researcher Development page on the PSLS website for more information.
| One to one supervision | Students can expect to have regular lab meetings with their supervisor and with other lab members. The regularity with which postgraduate students meet with their Supervisor varies throughout the year but meetings are likely to be more frequent to start with, during the planning stages, and during the writing-up phase. All students should have the opportunity to seek formal feedback from their Supervisor, and Supervisors should have the opportunity to give such feedback. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Posters and Presentations | A second-year departmental presentation and a final-year talk are compulsory elements of the course. |
Feedback
Students will receive regular oral feedback and advice from their supervisor about performance and research direction throughout the course, and students can also expect to receive termly formal feedback reports via the online feedback and reporting system.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Assessment is by a written thesis of not more than 60,000 words and by an oral examination. The thesis is not to exceed 60,000 words (80,000 by special permission) excluding tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices.
Other
All PhD students are required to undergo formal assessment (by written report and viva) at the end of their first year ("The First Year Assessment"). If successful, the student moves from being "probationary" to being registered for the PhD and can proceed with their thesis project.