University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this programme specification. At the time of publication, the programme specification has been approved by the relevant teaching Faculty or Department. It is, however, natural for courses to develop and change over time and we reserve the right, without notice, to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time. Programme specification for the M Phil in Technology Policy 1 Awarding body University of Cambridge 2 Teaching Institution University of Cambridge 3 Accreditation details None 4 Name of Final award MPhil 5 Programme Title MPhil in Technology Policy 6 UCAS Code N/A 7 Benchmark Statement None 8 Qualifications Framework Level M 9 Date of production/revision 6 January 2003 10 Educational aims of the programme The MPhil in Technology Policy provides students with technology backgrounds with the codified skills and the tacit knowledge required to achieve positions of leadership in technology based organisations, both public and private. The emphasis of this programme is on dual competency, offering students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in purely technical areas while teaching them to think beyond such considerations by giving them the tools to manage its implementation in wider socioeconomic, regulatory and administrative contexts. 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. Although the primary purpose of the programme is to provide leaders in technology policy to employers in industry, business and government, it will also serve as a possible coursework component for students who want to progress to a PhD. The degree has a professional practice 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 may tailor the educational experience to 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 edegree to instil skills and competencies of generic utility. As such the degree differs from more sectoral courses in telecommunications or energy and the environment. This programme is one of four new Cambridge University Master s Degrees developed under the auspices of the Professional Practice Programme of 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. CMI is a strategic alliance between The University of Cambridge (CU) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Its mission is to undertake education Page 1 of 6
and research designed to improve the UK s competitiveness, productivity and entrepreneurship. CMI is funded by both the UK government and by industry. Page 2 of 6
11 Programme outcomes 11.1 Knowledge and Understanding: By the end o f the course students 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, complexity, decision-making under uncertainty 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. Teaching and Learning (1) and (2) are developed through teaching on modules TP1 TP7 (lectures, guest lectures, and seminars including role-play exercises) and through teaching for electives (lectures, classes, examples classes, presentations). Assessment (1) and (2) are assessed by take-home exam; regular written assignments, and some assessment of class participation (including bulletin board discussion ). Some team grading is used, as appropriate. Assessment aims to measure assimilation and application of theory and to gauge experiential learning. 11.2 Skills and other attributes By the end o f the course students should have: Competence in: microeconomics (including cost-benefit analysis), system dynamics, managing complex systems, risk and hazard management, communicating with policymakers, negotiation, and real options Students should be familiar with: constitutional structures, the role of the law in technology & policy, issues in business management and complexity theory. Students may omit political economy, real options and/or the study of network industries if they can demonstrate particular improvements to their programme of study in so doing. Teaching and Learning: TP1: Microeconomics, communicating with policy makers, constitutional structures and some law TP2: Experiential learning and tacit skills TP3: System Dynamics, managing complex systems, risk and hazard management, the legal paradigm TP4: negotiation (and leadership and consensus) TP5: Managing and regulating complex network systems TP6: Risk management and real options TP7: Political economy MOT&I: Issues in business management Assessment These courses are assessed by coursework and participation as described above. TP2 is distinguished by having the highest emphasis on participation. Significant teamwork is expected in TP2. Page 3 of 6
12 Programme structure The programme consists of 4 required modules (TP1-TP4); 4 expected modules (TP5 TP7 and MO T& I) which all students are expected to complete, although students may petition for release from these courses in order to substitute further electives; 4 elective modules; and a dissertation. Modules may be shared with other University courses, such as the M Phil in Engineering for Sustainable Development, but a small number of modules (reserved courses) are exclusive to the MPhil in Technology Policy (e.g. TP2). All modules represent 16 hour formal contact time, except the dissertation (equivalent to 4 courses) and Management of Technology and Innovation (MO & I) (equivalent to two courses). Details of electives on offer can be found in the Technology Policy Course Guide. See http://www.jims.cam.ac.uk/programmes/mphil_techpol/mphil_techpol_f.html Structure 2002/2003 Easter Term Examinations for some elective modules MPhil DEGREE (Examiners may also require an oral exam) TP4 Leadership, Negotiation and Consensus Dissertation Easter Vacation Lent Term Students start work on their dissertation, either in business placements or at the University TP3 Key Methods in Technology and Policy TP6 Real Options for Engineering Systems TP7 The Political Economy of Technology Policy Elective Module 3 Elective Model 4 Christmas Vacation MOT&I Management of Technology & Innovation Michaelmas Term strategies September Summer TP1 Introduction to Technology and Policy TP2 Seminars in Technology and Policy TP5 Distribution Networks: economics, market structure and Elective Module 1 Elective model 2 Orientation: 10 day welcome course; includes: two site visits addresses by prominent UK figures in areas Independent reading Page 4 of 6
13 Requirements for the award of the degree Students must take at least 13 modules from those on offer and submit a dissertation of not more than 12,000 words. Work placements are not assessed for the award of the MPhil, although related dissertations are. The dissertation has a weighting equivalent to 4 modules. All students are required to pass the dissertation (i.e. achieve 60%) for the award of the MPhil. TP1 TP7 are examined by course work; electives by coursework or written examination. The JIM adopts a standard percentile grading scale and implement an overall average threshold marks for passing the degree (60%) and continuation to the PhD (70%). Students will be required to obtain an average of 60% over the four required core modules (TP1-TP4) in order to obtain the degree. 14 Indicators of quality The Institute underwent Teaching Quality Assessment in 1993. The Institute was not visited and its provision was considered satisfactory. The Institute was awarded 5 in the last Research Assessment Exercise. This programme is collaborative with Cambridge University Engineering Department which secured a 5* in the last RAE and which is subject to Engineering Institution accreditation for its undergraduate programmes. The Institute was awarded full Equis accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development in 2001. 15 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 Institute advice and support can be obtained from the Course Director, the Course Administrator and members of the Technology Policy Steering Group. The Institute 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. M Phil students choosing modules run by the Faculty of Economics and Politics may use facilities there. 16 Evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning The MPhil is the responsibility of the Judge Institute of Management. Responsibility for the quality assurance of teaching and learning is delegated to the MPhil in Technology Policy Teaching Committee. The Institute participates in the of the University s quality assurance and enhancement system: 1 External Examining: the M Phil has an external examiner who submits a report which is considered by the Management Studies Syndicate. Action in response to reports includes, where appropriate, revisions or adjustments to the programme and its delivery. Page 5 of 6
2 Course approval: the Institute 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 Institute s activities, including the M Phil were reviewed by the University s General Board in 2000. Students have formal representation on the Technology Policy Teaching Committee. Furthermore students are invited to provide feedback via JIMS standard systems, CMI funded additional measures and thirdly informal programme feedback meetings. M Phil students complete an end of term questionnaire, the results of which are analysed and acted upon by the Course Director and the MPhil in Technology Policy Teaching Committee. 17 Employment Preparation for employment is provided in the opportunities for acquisition of relevant skills outlined in Section 11. See the University policy of employment skills (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/education/guidance/). General information: More detailed information can be found at: http://www.jims.cam.ac.uk/programmes/mphil_techpol/mphil_techpol_f.html Page 6 of 6