Course work: For the Ph.D. no further course work is required unless recommended by the student’s committee to bolster a student’s knowledge in perceived areas of weakness. (Note: It may be beneficial for foreign students to take some 800 level courses to increase their chances of winning scholarships).

Research progress: Progress in research will be assessed by the committee annually (usually in May) on the basis of a short but formal presentation and by submission of a progress report to the chair of the advisory committee at least two weeks before the scheduled committee meeting. The students should address the questions raised in previous meeting(s) in their progress report.

In addition, there will be a second meeting in November at which the student will again present a short talk and an addendum to the progress report which only describes progress in the last 6 months.

Presentation skills: Oral communication skills will be assessed on the basis of the talks to the committee as well as the formal presentations in journal club (or equivalent). Written communication skills will be assessed on the quality of the initial proposal and the subsequent progress reports. The committee should expect to see a significant improvement in both oral and written abilities as the student progresses through the program. (Note: Many language courses are available on campus particularly for foreign students and the advisory committee should recommend these when deficiencies are noted or difficulties are encountered)

Thesis writing: In general, it should require between 3 to 4 months to write the thesis. Progress should be monitored initially by the supervisor with guidance from the committee if there are delays. Students should understand that the thesis must be approved, first by the supervisor, second by the advisory committee chair and finally by the committee before being sent to the external examiner.

Some students may seek permission from their supervisor and advisory committee to transfer from a M.Sc. program to a Ph.D. program before completing the requirements of the M.Sc. program, and without preparing and defending a M.Sc. thesis. This option is generally reserved for students who are doing very well in the M.Sc. program, and who show great promise for success at the Ph.D. level. M.Sc. students who have completed at least 9 credits of graduate coursework, with a grade point average of 80 or higher, may seek permission to transfer to the Ph.D. program as early as one year after entering the program but must do so before the end of their second year. M.Sc. students who have been in the program more than two years will not be permitted to transfer to the Ph.D. program. M.Sc. students must also pass a qualifying exam (see below). If the student fails the qualifying examination on the first try, a second examination can be undertaken within three months. However, a second failure automatically disqualifies a student from transferring directly to a Ph.D. program. Final approval to transfer from the M.Sc. program to the Ph.D. program is given by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and is not guaranteed even if the student passes the Qualifying Examination.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program must take the qualifying exam within one year of beginning their program. Passing the exam is required to continue in the program.