The Wellcome Trust/University of Cambridge 4-Year PhD Programme in Developmental Mechanisms has a "one plus three" structure: the first year is an integral "MPhil in Developmental Biology" after which students progress on to the PhD (Years two to four of the Programme). Around 45 developmental biology laboratories participate in the Programme, across four University departments (Physiology, Development and Neuroscience [PDN], Biochemistry, Genetics, and Zoology) including members of these Departments who are based at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute. Interdisciplinary projects at the interface between the physical sciences and developmental biology are encouraged, with co-supervisors available in the Departments of Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Physics. The MPhil (Year 1) is offered by the Faculty of Biology as a full-time period of research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge in Developmental Biology. Its main aims are: to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests. It includes a range of courses and three laboratory rotations. All candidates submit written work (three rotation reports, a review essay and a PhD proposal ["Critical Appraisal"]) for examination for the MPhil in Developmental Biology (course code BLPNM2) which can only be taken as an integral part of this Programme. After completing the MPhil, students undertake research for their PhD, and continue to participate in Programme-related activities e.g. an annual symposium. By the end of the programme, students will have: a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research; demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field and shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies.