Cambridge University Reporter


Examination in Medical Sciences for the degree of Master of Philosophy

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 507)

The Notice announcing the amendments to the regulations published on 6 August 2008 (Reporter, 2007-08, p. 1047) incorrectly referred to a limitation on the choice of options for candidates who wished to continue to a Ph.D. The corrected Notice is as follows:

With effect from 1 October 2008

The regulations have been amended to include a new option for the examination.

Medical Sciences

The scheme of examination for the one-year course of study in Medical Sciences for the degree of Master of Philosophy shall consist, at the choice of the candidate, of either Option A or Option B as follows:

Option A

The examination shall consist of a thesis, of not more than 20,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The thesis shall provide evidence to satisfy the Examiners that a candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

Option B

The examination shall consist of:

(a) either  (i) a written report of a practical project of not less than eight weeks' duration, not exceeding 8,000 words in length, including tables, figure legends, and appendices, but excluding bibliography, on a topic approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
or(ii) one essay, not exceeding 4,000 words in length, on a topic approved by the Degree Committee;
(b)  a critical appraisal, not exceeding 8,000 words in length, including tables, figure legends, and appendices, but excluding bibliography, of a research project proposal approved or prescribed by the Degree Committee;
(c)  practical work as prescribed by the Degree Committee; each candidate shall present for the inspection of the Examiners records of such practical work.

The examination shall include an oral examination on the work submitted by the candidate under (a)-(c) above and on the general field of knowledge within which such work falls.