PhD program guidelines

Ordinarily a minimum of (3) years are needed to complete a PhD degree.

Every student is required to:
1. Work with your supervisor in organizing an Advisory Committee;

2. Meet with advisory committee (within the first term) to design a plan of study and discuss thesis topic;

3. Submit a graduate research-study plan (GF 3001-04);

4. Develop a written thesis proposal and submit to Advisory Committee for approval (GF3014) –(follow the SGS regulations for thesis guidelines, Procedures for Submission and Assessment of Doctoral Dissertations – available on SGS web site http://www.unb.ca/gradschl/guidelines/index.html) revised cover pg enclosed);

5. Present thesis proposal to the GAU (within the first 8 months after initial registration; 10 months for part-time students);

6. Meet with Advisory Committee to identify subject areas (normally 4) and potential examiners for the qualifying exam (GF3015);

7. Meet with examiners to obtain reading material in each subject area;

8. Complete an oral qualifying examination  (within the first 8 months after initial registration; 10 months for part-time students);

9. Complete course requirements outlined by the Advisory Committee (including the required courses of the GAU);

10. Complete an annual SGS progress report (GF3012) and submit to DoGS by July 31st of each year of enrollment;

11. Conduct thesis research and write a thesis;

12. Present a draft of thesis to the Advisory Committee;

13. Obtain acceptance by the Advisory Committee (GF3006) that the thesis is in a form suitable for submission to DoGS;

13. Submit thesis to DoGS for format approval (checklist for students submitting final copies enclosed); 

14. Follow SGS regulations for thesis format.  Procedures for Submission and Assessment of Doctoral Dissertations – available on SGS web site

Submit the final copies of the thesis and associated paper work (photocopies are required for your FOREM file) to SGS.

PhD

Estimated timetable guidelines for meeting the completion of degree requirements

*Note: Complete an annual SGS progress report submit to DoGS by January 15th of each year of enrollment 

Term

Activity

Purpose

Form/s

1

Meet with advisory committee

To decide on courses and topic of thesis.

Complete graduate project/research — study plan

Required courses are: PhD Thesis (FOR6998) (6 cr hrs), Research Methods (FOR6913) (3 cr hrs) and Graduate Seminar (FOR6910). FOR6910 (3 cr hrs) Note: FOR6910 is listed as “incomplete” on transcript on completed and credit “CR” is received. 

GF3001-04

2 – 4

Presentation of thesis proposal to advisory committee, faculty, and graduate students

Ensure that appropriate objectives are set and suitable methods chosen. 

To raise issues and provide assistance to the student in the development of a quality PhD research program

To give the advisory committee an opportunity to evaluate the student’s progress and/or weakness

GF3014

3 – 4

Pass qualifying examination

To evaluate the student’s: intellectual ability as well as their adequacy of academic preparation to conduct the PhD thesis research; ability to deal with fundamentally related areas, ability to integrate information and the topic of the dissertation into a broader context, and ability to conduct quality and original research; graduate level of knowledge of his/her area of research and ability to demonstrate at least an upper year undergraduate knowledge in related disciplinary areas.  Minimum of four (max five) subject areas should be examined.  One subject will be related directly to the thesis research; other subjects should cover less closely related but still relevant areas

GF 3015

4 – 8

Conduct thesis research and writing thesis

To carry out a study in which an original question or objective is answered or achieved using scientific methods appropriate to the subject area

 

7 – 8

Presentation of thesis  proposal to advisory committee, faculty and graduate students

Develop a written thesis proposal and submit to advisory committee for approval (follow the SGS regulations for thesis guidelines, Procedures for Submission and Assessment of Doctoral Dissertations – available on SGS web site 

Present thesis proposal to the GAU (within the first 6-9 months after registration)

The advisory committee will evaluate the student’s progress as needed and will provide further guidance

GF3014

10

Presentation of draft thesis to advisory committee

To identify weaknesses (if any) in analyses and interpretations, and to assist with improvements

 

10 – 11

Final version of the thesis is submitted to the advisory committee

It is the supervisor/s responsibility to check for conformity with respect to established thesis guidelines, and for consistency throughout. See SGS web site for procedures     

 

11 – 12

Memo from supervisor to DoGS

Memo is sent to DoGS from student’s supervisor which outlines: that the advisory committee has agreed that the thesis is ready for submission to the University Examining Board; advisory committee suggests potential examiners

GF3006

11 – 12

DoGS in FOREM

Should check for conformity /format with respect to established thesis guidelines and for consistency throughout and will contact the external examiner to see if he/she is interested in examining the thesis

 

12

Thesis is submitted by DoGS to SGS

A memo with the appropriate number of thesis is submitted to SGS with the DoGS recommendations as outlined by the advisory committee on form

GF3006

11-12

Student needs to:

Complete the “green” form “GAU Requirements for PhD Degree” and submit to Programs Assistant for typing (included in the package being submitted to SGS from the DoGS) Not have any contact with the examining board members. Supply SGS – Administrative coordinator with: Abstract (350 max) & vitae sent by email by Programs Assistant

 

12

SGS

Will make all the necessary arrangements for inviting the examiners and setting up the oral presentation and defense of thesis before the Academic Community

 

12

Student

After defense student will submit required number of thesis and paperwork to the School of Graduate Studies within the deadline date set by SGS. Programs assistant requires copies of paperwork