To proceed in the program, a student must complete the work in each course in the term in which it is offered unless a formal Incomplete has been arranged. If a formal Incomplete has been arranged, the student must complete the work by the agreed-upon date or risk failure in the course, thereby jeopardizing his/her ability to progress in the program.
To remain in good academic standing in the program, a student must meet all progression milestones and maintain an overall average of at least 75% with no more than one course in the C range (60-69%) and no course below 60%. To maintain funding, a student must meet all progression milestones and achieve at least 78% standing averaged over all courses in each term, with no course below 60%.
Students who are not meeting progression milestones may risk funding, may not be allowed to proceed into the next phase of the program, or may be required to withdraw from the program. In particular, students must pay close attention to the milestones related to the comprehensive exam and thesis proposal.
- Completion of an approved program of courses. Six courses must be completed as specified in Course Requirements, normally by the end of the fourth term of registration. Students typically take two courses in a given term. Students are expected to take MS 9600 and MS 9601 in their first semester of the program, unless they are granted an exception from this requirement.
- Passing of a Core Comprehensive Examination (MS 9605) in January of the student's second year.
- Passing of a Specialized Comprehensive Examination (MS 9606) taken between March and May of the student's second year.
- Submission and approval of a thesis proposal (MS 9603). Normally, the doctoral thesis proposal should be underway by the sixth term and should be completed by no later than the end of the seventh term.
- Submission of a PhD thesis (MS 9604). Funding ends after four full years, so it is desirable that the completed doctoral thesis should be submitted and defended before the end of the fourth year (twelfth term) in the program.**
- Presentation of a public lecture on the thesis topic.
- Passing of an Oral Examination of the thesis (MS 9604).
*Every attempt is made to regularly schedule doctoral courses so that students may make good progress through the program. However, a student who is working steadfastly but is missing a needed course due to a lack of course offerings may still be considered to be making good progress.
**If a student chooses to withdraw from the program after the thesis is well underway but prior to thesis completion and defence, the student will have four years from the date of withdrawal to produce a readily defensible thesis requiring no further revisions. During the period of the withdrawal, the student will have no access to the Chief Supervisor or members of his/her supervisory committee. After four years from the date of withdrawal, it may be unlikely that a thesis would be considered for defence. This would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Updated 01/07/2011