Program Requirements

  • Completion of the graduate courses specified by the admissions and advisory committees. Students admitted with a MSc are usually required to take one full credit (two courses) and students without a MSc are required to take two full credits (four courses); additional courses may be required, depending on the background and research program of the student. Only graduate courses may form part of the candidate’s course requirements. The passing grade for all required courses is 70%, and the student is not allowed a supplemental examination.
  • Scheduling of an oral Qualifying Examination within approximately 12 months of entry into the program and completion normally within 18 months; this examination will cover the candidate’s area of research, and related topics. The format of the examination will be established by the departmental graduate committee. The examination committee generally will be composed of faculty members of both universities.
  • Presentation of at least one public seminar on the candidate’s thesis research.
  • A thesis incorporating the results of original research carried out under the direct supervision of an approved faculty member.
  • Completion of at least four terms as a full-time student resident at one of the two universities (or six terms if admitted without an M.Sc.) is normally required. Under exceptional conditions programs may be arranged for part-time students.
  • Successful oral defense of the thesis before an examination board of at least five faculty members, with representation from both universities, and including an external examiner from outside the two universities who is an authority on the thesis research area

PhD Programs

Admissions

Information regarding admissions requirements and specializations can be found on our Admissions Page