University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN TECHNOLOGY POLICY. May 2013

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1 University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this programme specification. Programme specifications are produced and then reviewed annually by the relevant faculty or department and revised where necessary. However, we reserve the right to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time without notice. Further information about specifications and an archive of programme specifications for all awards of the University is available online at: MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN TECHNOLOGY POLICY 1 Awarding body University of Cambridge 2 Teaching institution University of Cambridge 3 Accreditation details EQUIS 4 Name of final award Master of Philosophy 5 Programme title Technology Policy 6 JACS code(s) N200 7 Relevant QAA benchmark None statement(s) 8 Qualifications framework level 7 (Master) 9 Date specification was November 2008 produced/ last revised 10 Date specification was last reviewed May 2013 Educational aims of the programme The MPhil in Technology Policy provides students with a background in Engineering or Science with the knowledge and skills required to provide leadership in the development and deployment of technology. The MPhil offers two streams: professional practice and research. The emphasis of the professional practice stream is on dual competency, offering students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in purely technical areas while teaching them to think beyond only technical considerations by giving them the tools to manage and lead within the wider socio-economic, regulatory and administrative contexts. For those interested in a more research-oriented focus, the Technology Policy Research (TPR) stream allows students to undertake a more in-depth treatment of specific research areas. Students on the programme are admitted having demonstrated well-developed technical skills in engineering, science or other quantitative disciplines. Most students have complemented their academic experience with relevant work experience. The primary purpose of the professional practice stream is to provide leaders in technology policy to employers in industry, business and government. The research stream seeks to produce leading researchers and academics in the nexus of government, management and academia. The degree overall has a multidisciplinary emphasis and aims to be true to the reality of policy making and business decision-making. The degree is modular and has an open architecture so that students can tailor their educational experience to meet their particular needs. The degree takes a very broad view of technology and is not narrowly sectoral in focus. That is, it is the purpose of the core of the degree to instil skills and competencies of generic utility. As such, the degree differs from courses focused on specific sectors such as telecommunications or energy and the environment. Page 1 of 6

2 This programme is one of five Cambridge University Master s Degrees developed under the auspices of the Professional Practice Programme of the Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI). All of these programmes are interdisciplinary, combining elements of technology, business, and policy, and all have been developed in collaboration with Faculty members teaching on similar programmes at MIT. Programme Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding By the end of the course students in the professional practice stream should have: (1) knowledge of a range of key concepts and tools such as systems thinking, microeconomics, the role and power of government, the importance of the law and regulation, complexity, decision-making under uncertainty, project valuation and strategic thinking; (2) To have had an opportunity to interact with, and to learn from, real policy-makers and real cases in areas such as: aviation, communications and IT, transport, energy etc. By the end of the course students on the research stream should have: (3) developed a deep knowledge of their chosen area of Technology Policy and of the academic and practitioner debates within it; (4) a conceptual understanding that enables the evaluation of current research and methodologies; Assessment (1) and (2) are assessed though examination, coursework and a final group project conducted as part of a work placement. (3) and (4) are assessed though examination, coursework and a research dissertation Teaching and Learning For professional practice students, (1) and (2) are developed through teaching on core and elective modules (lectures, guest lectures, and seminars including role-play exercises) and through teaching for electives (lectures, classes, examples classes, and presentations). For students on the research stream, (3) and (4) are developed through: taught courses, many of which have the characteristics described for the professional practice stream, the research methods courses offered to all incoming research students at Cambridge Judge Business School and a research dissertation that serves to prepare the student for a career in research in one of the areas within technology policy. The coursework is supplemented by personal study; opportunity for participation in research culture, e.g. research seminars; and one-on-one supervisions as part of the research dissertation. Assessment (1) and (2) are assessed by formal tests and examinations, take-home exam; term papers regular written assignments, and some assessment of class participation (including bulletin Page 2 of 6

3 board discussion ). Some team grading is used, as appropriate. Assessment aims to measure assimilation and application of theory and to gauge experiential learning. For (3) and (4), students on the research stream are assessed using all of the above methods as well as via the research dissertation. Skills and other attributes By the end of the course, students on both streams should be familiar with: constitutional structures, policy analysis, issues in business management, entrepreneurship and innovation, and UK and European science and technology policy. Students on the professional practice stream will have: competence in microeconomics (including cost-benefit analysis), risk and hazard management, the opportunity to familiarise themselves with political economy, real options, negotiations, system dynamics, management of technology, enterprise management and various technology domains such as energy or information systems, and a deeper understanding of a technical, policy or management subfield of their choosing. Students on the research stream will have: acquired or consolidated statistical, mathematical, qualitative and other skills appropriate for research in their chosen area; demonstrated independent judgement, based on their own research; and presented their own ideas in a public forum and learned to contribute constructively within an international environment. Teaching and Learning: Core elements for both streams: TP1: Constitutional structures and introduction to policy analysis TP2: Seminars in Technology Policy a diverse range of case studies TP3: European Science and Technology Policy Visits to European institutions in Brussels supplemented by Cambridge-based lectures TP4: ETECH study of entrepreneurship and innovation via lectures and consultancy on novel technology projects Other requirements for professional practice stream: MOT&I: Business consultancy project and lectures in high-technology business management (weighted at two modules) Final Group Project report and presentation (weighted at two modules) Seven elective modules (some constraints apply) Other requirements for the research stream: Two research methods courses (qualitative and quantitative methods) Research dissertation (weighted at three modules) Assessment These courses are assessed by coursework and participation as described above. TP2 and MOT&I are distinguished by having the highest emphasis on participation. Significant teamwork is expected in both courses. Page 3 of 6

4 Programme structure The programme consists of 4 required modules (TP1 TP4) for both streams. The professional stream also requires a minimum of 3 outer core modules (denoted by the prefix TPE ) and a further 4 elective modules (drawn from the TPE series or from a wider list); the Management of Technology and Innovation (MOT& I) programme; and a final group project report. The research stream also requires two research methods courses (qualitative and quantitative) and a research dissertation. Modules may be shared with other University courses, such as the MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development or the MPhil in Management, but a small number of modules (reserved courses) are exclusive to the MPhil in Technology Policy (e.g., TP2 and TP3). All modules represent 16 hour formal contact time, except the final group project report (equivalent to two courses) and Management of Technology and Innovation (MOT& I) (equivalent to two courses). Structure for Technology Policy (Professional Practice Stream) 2013/2014 Pre-term Michaelmas Vacation Lent Vacation Easter Orientation TP1 Introduction to Tech Policy (TPE6 Outer core option) TP2 Seminars in Tech Policy TP3 European Science &Tech Policy 7 electives (3 or 4 per term) of which at least 3 must be outer core electives over the course of Michaelmas and Lent terms MOT&I 2 blocks constrained choice Microecon compulsory 7 electives (3 or 4 per term) of which at least 3 must be outer core electives over the course of Michaelmas and Lent terms MOT&I Project plus 2 blocks TP4 ETECH: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Final Group Project Page 4 of 6

5 Structure for Technology Policy Research (TPR) stream 2013/2014 Pre-term Michaelmas Vacation Lent Vacation Easter Orientation TP1 Introduction to Tech Policy Qualitative Methods TP2 Seminars in Tech Policy Research Dissertation TP3 European Science &Tech Policy TP4 ETECH Quantitative Methods Research Dissertation Research Dissertation Requirements for the award of the degree 2013/14 Students on both streams are required to obtain an average of 60% over the four required core modules (TP1-TP4) in order to obtain the degree. Students on the professional practice stream must take at least 13 modules from those on offer and submit a final group project report of not more than 12,000 words (weighted as two modules). All professional practice students are required to pass the final group project report (i.e. achieve 60%) and obtain an average of 60% over the seven required elective modules for the award of the MPhil. Students on the research stream must take at least 6 modules from those on offer and submit a research dissertation of not more than 12,000 words (weighted as 3 modules). All research stream students are required to pass the research dissertation (i.e. achieve 60%) for the award of the MPhil. Cambridge Judge Business School adopts a standard percentile grading scale and implement an overall average threshold marks for passing the degree (60%). Students on the Technology Policy Research stream are not eligible for direct continuation to the PhD, which is controlled by separate administrative processes. Indicators of quality In 2007, the School was awarded full EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development. The accreditation was renewed for a further 5 years in November The School was highly rated in the last RAE exercise as was Cambridge University Engineering Department with which the programme collaborates.. Cambridge University Engineering Department is also subject to Engineering Institution accreditation for its undergraduate programmes. Page 5 of 6

6 Learning Support All students are members of a College as well as the Faculty and have access to learning support from both College and University. The College Tutor for Graduates will also play a role in induction, support and guidance. Within the School, advice and support can be obtained from the Course Director, the Course Administrator and other members of faculty as appropriate. The School s learning resources include a Computer Room, Common Room, and library housing business and management books, journals and electronic resources. There are also a number of other libraries in Cambridge which house business and management information. MPhil students choosing modules run by the Department of Engineering may use facilities there, although some restrictions apply. Evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning The MPhil is the responsibility of Cambridge Judge Business School. Responsibility for the quality assurance of teaching and learning is addressed by the School s Teaching Committee structure.the Business School participates in the of the University s quality assurance and enhancement system: 1 External Examining: the MPhil has an external examiner who submits a report which is considered by the Degree Committee and the Faculty Board. Action in response to reports includes, where appropriate, revisions or adjustments to the programme and its delivery. 2 Course approval: the School is required to obtain the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies and the General Board s Education Committee before any significant changes to courses are made. 3 General Board Internal Review: all the Business School s activities, including the MPhil were reviewed by the University s General Board in Students have formal representation within the School s teaching committee structure (which includes a Teaching Committee of the MPhil in Technology Policy). Furthermore students are invited to provide feedback via CJBS standard systems, their student representative and informal programme feedback meetings. MPhil students complete an end of term questionnaire on all elements of the programme, for which responsible faculty must respond. The results of the student assessment surveys are analysed and acted upon by the Course Director and the Graduate Teaching Committee. Employment Preparation for employment is provided in the opportunities for acquisition of relevant skills outlined in Section 11. Page 6 of 6