项目介绍

2021年8月4日

About the course

The DPhil in Surgical Sciences is a full-time doctoral programme offering research training across a range of scientific areas for both clinical and non- clinical graduates within an academic surgery department.

Hosted by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, the DPhil in Surgical Sciences is three to four years in length.

Students are admitted directly onto a research project working with one of the department’s many principal investigators (PIs). Usually candidates agree upon a project with their supervisor, and in the first instance we strongly encourage you to visit the department’s website to identify your area of interest and contact a supervisor before applying. Research undertaken within the department covers many areas including fields such as cancer, immunology, and neurosciences, and specialities such as patient safety, transplantation, urology and vascular surgery

You will be integrated into your supervisor’s research group, and will have the opportunity to network with and present to the wider department through our Surgical Grand Round series and Research Away Day. Normally your supervisory team will consist of your main supervisor along with at least one additional co-supervisor (who may be based outside of the University), with support also available from the Graduate Studies team and college advisors. Typically, students should treat their studies as a full-time occupation of at least 40 hours per week, and should be available during core working hours.

The Medical Sciences Division’s skills training programme offers opportunities for you to develop your research and professional skills over the duration of your DPhil. It is recommended that you spend at least ten days a year on your graduate skills training.

Supervision

You will work closely with an academic supervisor who oversees your studies. The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences.

You will typically work as part of a research team and supervision may include co-supervision from other collaborating groups or labs, both within the department or from other departments across the university or external to Oxford. In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, supervisors will work with them to ensure that they have additional support. Students will meet with their supervisors on a regular basis, typically several times per week early in their studies and at least weekly or monthly later on. Students are also encouraged to submit regular termly reports on their progress throughout the degree.

Assessment

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a PRS student you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status.

Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within nine terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track.

Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination.

You will be expected to submit a substantial and original thesis of up to 50,000 words after three or, at most, four years from the date of admission. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Surgical Sciences you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Graduate destinations

After successfully completing a DPhil in Surgical Sciences, research students typically progress to either postdoctoral research positions pursuing an academic career or, for clinically qualified individuals, to further clinical training and/or clinician-scientist posts.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

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