Advanced Training
During their exploratory projects and throughout their studies, students are able to access advanced training opportunities organised by the DTP and other training programmes, including the interdisciplinary doctoral programmes at the DTC. We review and update our training programme on an annual basis, according to student feedback, research interests and the availability of training within and outside the partnership, enabling us to focus the format and content of training on student needs. Advanced training opportunities come in variety of forms, as outlined below, ranging from full-time courses to student-centred practice-led training. Students are required to record and report on their training programme in their training record, which is reviewed on a termly basis by their supervisory team and Programme Director.
Advanced Modules - Subsequent to their core training, students will attend at least one advanced training module organised by the DTP and/or other training programmes including the DTC, the MPLS Graduate Academic Programme and Medical Science Division Skills Training Programme. Advanced courses offered within the DTC typically take the form of intensive one- and two-week week modules. Advanced modules take place at different times during the academic year to allow students to take more than one course, according to their needs.
Workshops and Study Groups - In addition to the advanced training modules described above, students are able to explore a range of other training opportunities within and outside the partnership. Such training might include research days presenting the most recent developments in a specific area of research, workshops focused on particular methodological approaches, or inter-DTP courses focused on specialist subject areas where it is beneficial to bring together expertise from different institutions. Students may also participate in academic or industry-led study groups in which they work as a team to understand and propose solutions to unsolved research questions and grand challenges in bioscience research. Such study groups complement the creative thinking and enterprise and entrepreneurship training provided by the DTP in encouraging students to think creatively about solutions to problems and how to translate them into reality.
Practice-Led Training Groups - As students continue their research in years 2-4 they are encouraged to further develop their interdisciplinary skills, both in the context of their specific research project and through further training and study. During this period the DTP provides further assistance in the form of personalised, small group training – Practice-Led Training Groups (PTGs) - in which students are supported in developing and practising advanced research skills and knowledge that complements their specific research project and interests. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one PTG. PTGs provide problem-based, small group training led by expert facilitators. PTGs typically take the form of a series of one to 12 training sessions, with defined learning outcomes or outputs and work assignments between sessions. Students can take advantage of different models of PTGs including peer-led masterclasses (‘dojos’) at which students can discuss challenges they have encountered in their work and receive mentoring and support from their peers.
