Supervision norms

Part IB

It is recommended that students have one supervision a week throughout the Part IB course, alternating between history of science (four supervisions per term) and philosophy of science (four supervisions per term). Students will be supervised at the same rhythm for the first half of Easter Term.

Part II

It is recommended that students write 6–8 supervision essays per paper, including a revision supervision in Easter Term. Students can normally expect to receive three supervisions for the primary source essay and four supervisions for their dissertation. It is recommended that most supervisions take place in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms.

• 4 dissertation supervisions, 3 primary source essay supervisions, 18 supervisions = 25 in groups of two (or one-on-one for the primary source essay).

Part III

• Research Paper 1: Three supervisions during Michaelmas Term
• Research Paper 2: Three supervisions during Lent Term
• Two Set Essays: Four supervisions (in groups of two or three) on Advanced Seminar topics in the latter half of Michaelmas Term and first two weeks of Lent Term
• Dissertation: Four supervisions in the course of Easter Term

MPhil

A student can expect to receive on average three hours of supervision for each MPhil essay, and four hours of supervision for the dissertation.

PhD

The level of supervision for doctoral students is determined by supervisor and student together but it is expected that they will meet a minimum of twice a term. Meetings may become more regular as the dissertation reaches its final stages.