The student’s supervisory committee serves the very important function of monitoring his/her progress to ensure the timely completion of the program. This is achieved by regularly-scheduled committee meetings at which the student updates the committee members on his/her research accomplishments and proposed future directions.

The committee members will do their best to anticipate possible problems and to advise the student on any difficulties that he/she may encounter. Additionally, the committee evaluates the student’s overall development as a scientist and brings any weaknesses to his/her attention. The supervisory committee members also participate in defining the end-point for the student’s thesis research.

back to top


Approval to Take a Transfer Exam

If the student is in the M.Sc. program and wishes to enter the Ph.D. program via the successful completion of a Transfer Exam, he/she requires the permission of the supervisory committee to schedule such an exam. The decision to complete an M.Sc. degree or to schedule a Transfer Exam is made in consultation with the committee at the second committee meeting. This meeting occurs 14-16 months after the start of the program and the Transfer Exam occurs at the 18-21 month mark.

If the student has been admitted directly into the Ph.D. program he/she will be required to successfully complete the Qualifying Exam before continuing in the program. Permission to take the Qualifying Exam must be obtained from the committee at the second committee meeting (at 14-16 months). The Qualifying Exam is to occur within 21 months of entry into the program.

back to top


Approving the Student’s Thesis

Once the student has completed all of his/her experimental work and the other M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree requirements, the supervisory committee has the very important responsibility of approving the student’s thesis. The supervisor will read the complete draft of the thesis and discuss the necessary changes/corrections with the student.

Once the supervisor has approved the thesis by signing a Thesis Approval Form (see M.Sc. and Ph.D. Thesis and Oral Defense sections), the student gives a copy to each member of the supervisory committee. It is their responsibility at this stage to critically review this draft and to indicate if any additional changes are required prior to their approval of its acceptability for defense.

back to top