Course summary
This four-year doctoral training programme in 2D Materials of Tomorrow is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in 2D Materials of Tomorrow (CDT), and aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills for cutting edge, cross-disciplinary research in the science and applications of two-dimensional materials – a new class of advanced materials with potential to transform modern technologies, from clean energy to quantum engineering. The first six months of the programme are based at the University of Manchester, during which time students will engage in a rigorous training programme combining teaching on the underlying scientific principles with a strong emphasis on experimental skills and techniques underpinning the development of 2D Materials applications. In the fourth month of the programme, students will be allocated their PhD project. For home students, the project selection will determine whether the student transfers to Cambridge or stays in Manchester. For international students, the destination institution is determined during the pre-application process, but they will still have a choice of projects within their destination institution. Potential applicants should contact the CDT directly and receive instructions before accessing this application portal. Home students will be registered at Manchester in the first instance and will use this portal to transfer their registration if allocated a PhD project in Cambridge. International students will be registered at Cambridge from the beginning of the degree (but will still live and undertake the training in Manchester with the rest of the cohort). Training within the initial phase aims to equip the student with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and research skills necessary to engage fully with the research programme. More information about this is given below. By the end of the PhD, students are expected to have produced original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of 2D materials. At the same time, the Department expects that students will leave with the wider skills necessary to be successful in either an academic or a non-academic career. **Learning Outcomes By the end of the training programme, students will:** have proficiency in essential fabrication and characterisation techniques, and the basics of modelling and materials design; have knowledge of the scientific principles underpinning this practical work, including elements of fundamental and applied materials physics, chemistry, and engineering; be familiar with up-to-date literature in the field, and have had opportunities to develop skills in summarising and presenting research results. By the end of the PhD programme, students will have: the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems; a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry; produced a thesis for examination.
Modules
The initial phase of the 2D Materials of Tomorrow PhD programme comprises a six-month full-time teaching programme based at the University of Manchester. Home applicants will have completed this programme by the time of their admission to Cambridge. This programme will be assessed formatively. After the training programme at Manchester, Cambridge students will be entitled to attend most lecture courses within the Department of Engineering at Cambridge. They should discuss with their supervisors which courses would be most beneficial to their research. They will also attend a project-specific workshop, the annual student-led CDT conference, and gain transferable skills training. This training will include training on artificial intelligence ethics, on innovation and entrepreneurship, and on environmental sustainability. Students will be registered for the PhD if they are able to demonstrate adequate research potential. This determination will be dependent on the student producing an adequate first year report, in addition to demonstrating knowledge in the field of 2D-Materials.
Assessment method
Thesis / Dissertation The doctoral thesis should be submitted by the end of the fourth year. The thesis will have to comply with the rules and regulations set out by the department in which the student is registered for their PhD. The typical length of the PhD thesis will be 60,000–65,000 words A compulsory viva voce examination will follow thesis submission. Essays The training component at Manchester will involve completing coursework. These will be formatively assessed and do not present a formal progression barrier. Practical assessment The training component at Manchester will involve completing laboratory reports. These will be formatively assessed and do not present a formal progression barrier. Other Towards the end of the first year of research at Cambridge (5th term of the CDT), students will be required to produce a written report in light of their initial research project. An oral examination will be held to discuss the contents of the report and the plans for the remainder of the project. The deadline will depend on the host Department. This report comprises an important part of the probationary exercise determining whether students will be able to continue in the PhD.
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN