MRes + PhD in Application of Artificial Intelligence to the study of Environmental Risks

The UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in the Application of Artificial Intelligence to the study of Environmental Risks (AI4ER) trains researchers (through several multidisciplinary cohorts) to be uniquely equipped to develop and apply leading-edge computational approaches to address critical global environmental challenges by exploiting vast, diverse and often currently untapped environmental data sets. Embedded in the outstanding research environments of the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the AI4ER CDT addresses problems that are relevant to building resilience to environmental hazards and managing environmental change. The primary application areas are:

• Weather, Climate and Air Quality
• Natural Hazards
• Natural Resources (food, water & resource security and biodiversity)

Students in the CDT cohorts engage in a one-year MRes degree in Physical Sciences (Environmental Data Science) which includes a taught component and a major research element, followed by a three-year PhD research project. Students will receive high-quality training in research, professional, technical and transferable skills through a focused core programme with an emphasis on the development of data science skills through hackathons and team challenges. Training is guided by personalised advice and the expertise of a network of partners in industry, government, the third sector and beyond.

Assessment

Thesis

The examination for the MRes degree shall include a portfolio of research including the outputs of a guided team challenge, a research project report and a written PhD project proposal. The examination for the MRes degree shall include an oral examination on the work submitted by the candidate for assessment and on the general field of knowledge within which such work falls.

The final PhD assessment will be of a submitted thesis and subsequent viva voce examination. The length and format of the thesis will be determined by the requirements of the Degree Committee of the department/faculty in which the student is registered for the PhD.

Essays

The examination for the MRes degree shall include coursework (which may include written work, group work, and class participation).

Other

Depending on the department in which the student is registered, at the end of their second year (the first year of the PhD programme), students may have to submit a report for assessment that describes their progress and research plans. Progression depends on successful completion of this probationary review.