This MPhil is offered by the Department of Engineering as a full-time one-year course of research, introducing students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are: to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research under close supervision in the discipline of Engineering and to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests. This general MPhil is very flexible, and can be tailored to suit each student's particular interests, providing a suitable supervisor is available. Students will spend most of their time on research for their dissertations, but will also take at least two Master's-level lecture courses (on which they will be examined either through written examinations or coursework), and participate in a regular seminar which will equip them with vital skills in research practice and communication.