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Postgraduate Research
Two research qualifications are offered by the Department – PhD and MPhil. The equivalent of a First or Upper Second Class degree is normally the minimum entry requirement.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
This involves three or four years of research and is examined by thesis. At the end of the first year students write a report on their work, and this is assessed by two members of the staff of the Department in an oral examination. Continuation to a PhD depends on a satisfactory performance in this process. (In some cases, students may be required to register for the MPhil in the first instance, even if they intend to pursue a PhD.) Students present their research findings to the Department in a poster at the end of the second year and a research seminar when they finish.
Students who already possess a Master's degree will usually be registered for three years of research. Students who do not have a Master's degree may, subject to funding (see below), be registered for four years of research. At present this is limited to those holding four-year Research Council studentships, but the availability of the option may be expanded in the near future. All full-time PhD students are nevertheless expected to submit their dissertation within four years. The Department is also able to accept part-time PhD students. Those wishing to undertake a part-time PhD should discuss the feasibility with their prospective supervisor in the first instance.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
This involves one year of research, and is examined by a more formal thesis than the first-year report submitted by PhD students. Like the PhD, the MPhil is suitable for those already possessing a good degree in Biochemistry or a closely-related subject. It is not normally intended for students entering the Department with the intention of taking a PhD. However, some such students may initially be registered for the MPhil (for example if the availability of funding for more than a year is uncertain).
Students registered for either the PhD or MPhil are expected to carry out original research on a topic suggested by (or agreed with) their supervisor. They are also assigned an advisor, who can offer additional help and advice as appropriate. The research work is supplemented by seminars and other material covering biochemical methodology and more general transferable skills. Much of this material is organized within the Department of Biochemistry, but some is more broadly based in the University. Students registered for a four-year PhD take an extended set of methodology lectures in the first year, but begin their research project at the same time. (There are no formal 'rotations' around different laboratories.) Students keep a progress log of seminars and other material they have attended, which is discussed with their advisor. First-year graduate students meet as a group each week with one or two academic staff to present and discuss their work. Graduate students also participate in the research seminar programme of their own research group.
The Department belongs to the University's Graduate School in Biological, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, which co-ordinates graduate training across the relevant departments. More information is available on the Graduate School website . Full details about the PhD and MPhil are contained in the University’s Graduate Studies Prospectus, which also has information about Cambridge Colleges and scholarships available. Queries about graduate applications that do not relate specifically to the Department of Biochemistry should also be addressed to the Board of Graduate Studies, 4 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RZ, United Kingdom [Tel: +44 (0)1223 760606; Fax: +44 (0)1223 338723; Email: graduate.admissions@admin.cam.ac.uk or see full contact information].
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