Graduate Advisor/Chair: Each graduate program has a Graduate Advisor or Graduate Chair. The Graduate Program Advisors/Chairs are very important contacts for all graduate students and the main liaison between the graduate program and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Questions regarding a specific program should be directed to the Graduate Program Advisor or Chair.
Research Supervisor: For research-based programs, graduate students are assigned a Research Supervisor. Depending upon the program, the Supervisor may be assigned at the time of acceptance into the program, or within a specified period once the student has commenced her/his Program.
Supervisory Committee: For research-based programs, and depending upon the program, a Supervisory Committee normally consists of one to three other faculty members, aside from the Supervisor, who aids in the supervision and ultimately, the examination of the thesis research.
Time-to-Completion: The normal time allowed for completion of a graduate program. This period includes the Residency Period, plus time allowed for the completion of the thesis, MRP/Thesis or course work. Time-to-completion varies for each program.
Leave of Absences: An interruption in a student’s studies due to serious circumstances beyond the control of the student, such as medical reasons, maternity or paternity reasons. A leave of absence will not normally exceed three terms.
Extensions to Graduate Programs: The addition of a term beyond a student’s program of study. Extensions are at the expense of the student.
Defense (Thesis/MRP): Is the final step towards completion of some Master’s degrees or a Ph.D. Students must pass an oral examination before an Examination Committee in defence of their thesis or MRP.
Thesis: A written work of research culminating the master’s degree or PhD. The thesis is based on an individual research conducted by a student and supervised by their Faculty Advisor/Research Supervisor. The Thesis must be defended before an Examination Committee.
School of Graduate Studies Academic Year: The School of Graduate Studies operates on a trimester basis, with three terms defined as: fall term (September to December); winter term (January to April); and spring/summer term (May to August). The academic year begins with a fall term followed by a winter term.
Directed Studies: An individualized study course which allows students to explore a subject specific to their program of study and research interest.
Tri-Council: The Federal Government’s three research fund (scholarship & grant) granting councils, NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHRC. The councils are responsible to the Government of Canada for the administration of research funds.
NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, a Federal government agency which provides funding for research in natural sciences and engineering.
SSHRC: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, a Federal government agency which provides funding for research in social sciences and humanities.
CIHR: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a Federal government agency which provides funding for research in Health.
MRP: A Major Research Paper based on an individual research conducted by a student and supervised by their Faculty Advisor/Research Supervisor. The MRP must be defended before an Examination Committee.
Faculty Advisor: Faculty Advisors assist students with the development of their research topic outline for a research based route.
Comprehensive Exam: A specific type of examination that must be completed by graduate students in some programs. The comprehensive exam is used to test the knowledge of a student’s subject area and two or more related areas, and may be used to determine a student’s eligibility to continue his or her program of study.
Examination Committee: A committee normally consisting of a Student’ Supervisor Committee, External Examiner and Chair, who makes a decision regarding the outcome of a Student’s MRP or Thesis oral defence.