Course summary

The course aims: to provide students with advanced training in linguistic theory and language sciences using a range of approaches and methodologies to give students the opportunity to acquire expertise in the domain of their specific research interests to provide the foundation for continuation to PhD research to offer the opportunity to participate in the research culture within and beyond the Faculty, for example within the Cambridge Language Sciences community, by attending and contributing to postgraduate seminars and reading groups to develop the research skills required to conduct independent research such as: computational and corpus-based methods, statistics, on-line and lab-based behavioural experimental methods, eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), phonetics and speech sciences skills Learning Outcomes By the end of the programme students will have developed: a deeper knowledge and understanding of linguistic theories and problems addressed in cutting-edge research in linguistics, language sciences and related areas; the skill of critically assessing current research and methods in linguistics, language sciences and related areas; the methodological and other technical skills necessary for research in their chosen area; improved presentation skills through presenting their research in progress; the skills and confidence to engage in scholarly debate. These outcomes are achieved through participation in lectures, research seminars, individual supervisions, and additionally through subject reading groups, discussion groups and meetings of scholarly societies. In addition to these subject-specific skills, the following general transferable skills are also acquired: General transferrable skills: The relatively intense timetable of the MPhil demands that students develop exemplary time-management skills. They work in collaboration with their supervisors to devise appropriate plans of study, and have to ensure that they meet all deadlines, formal and informal. The compulsory Research Methods course includes transferable skills, such as how to organise writing, how to formulate research questions appropriate to different methodologies, and general problem-solving skills. Students are expected to make regular presentations in seminar situations. This develops their oral presentation skills, as does the Oral Presentation at the end of the Lent Term. Written work is required to be concise, cogent, appropriately structured, and to adhere strictly to word limits, as in most areas of professional activity. Continuing To continue to a PhD in the Faculty, students must apply through the University's admission processes, considering funding and application deadlines. Readmission is not automatic, and each application is considered on its own merits. For those applying to continue from the MPhil by Advanced Study to a PhD, the minimum academic standard is an overall distinction on the MPhil.