Program Requirements

Students entering with a BSc and intending to take a PhD program will initially be registered in a MSc program. They may be transferred to a PhD program at the end of their first year, on the recommendation of their supervisory committee and the Department of Biology and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

MSc - Thesis Option

The MSc is a full-time research degree with thesis and with some additional required course work.

Course Requirements

All students are to register in BIOL 560. Students should consult the department concerning which courses will be offered in any given year. Admission to any graduate courses requires permission of the instructor.

Students must consult with their supervisor and supervisory committee on the required course work. Graduate students may be asked to complete senior undergraduate courses with additional advanced assignments for part of the course requirements.

Forest Biology Courses

Graduate students in Forest Biology must register in FORB 560 (1.5 units) in addition to BIOL 560.

Thesis

The topic and scope of the thesis research is agreed by the supervisory committee. The written thesis must meet the formatting standards of the university and the research standards of the wider scientific community.

Oral Examination

The thesis must be defended in an oral examination in front of the supervisory committee and an external examiner from outside the candidate's home department to ensure that the research and the thesis meet the required standard.

Program Length

The MSc is primarily a program of full-time independent research. Students can expect to take a minimum of two years to complete the program.

PhD Program

The PhD program is a full-time program of independent and original research culminating in a dissertation which is defended in an oral examination. Students must complete a candidacy examination in their general research area within 2 years of entering the program, and some additional required coursework.

Course Requirements

All PhD students must register in BIOL 560 and BIOL 693. Students should consult the department for other courses that will be offered in any given year. Admission to any graduate course requires permission of the instructor.

Students must consult with their supervisor and supervisory committee on the required course work. Graduate students may be asked to complete senior undergraduate courses with additional advanced assignments for part of the course requirements.

PhD students must complete 4.5 units (three one-term courses) plus BIOL 560 and BIOL 693 during the course of their PhD.

Comprehensive Exams

The comprehensive requirement must be satisfied within two years of registration in the doctoral program (see “Program Requirements - Doctoral Degrees”).

Candidacy

The candidacy examination requires a candidacy paper on a topic agreed with the supervisory committee. If the paper is acceptable to the committee, the oral examination can proceed. Topics for the oral examination are based in part on the paper and other areas agreed by the committee at the time of setting the topic of the candidacy paper.

The candidacy examination must be held within 21 months of a student entering the PhD program. Students transferring from the MSc to the PhD program must complete the exam within 18 months from their entry into the PhD.

Students enroll in BIOL 693 (PhD Candidacy Examination) upon registering in the PhD program (or upon switching to the PhD program from the MSc program) and remain enrolled until all candidacy requirements are complete.

Other Requirements

All PhD students must give a departmental seminar on their research prior to completing the program.

Dissertation

The topic and scope of the dissertation research is agreed by the supervisory committee. The written dissertation must confirm to the standards of the university and the research standards of the wider scientific community.

Oral Examination

The dissertation must be defended in an oral examination in front of the supervisory committee and an external examiner from outside of the university to ensure that the research and the dissertation meets the required standards.

Program Length

The PhD is a full-time research degree that normally takes four years to complete.

Specialization in Forest Biology

Graduate courses in Forest Biology (FORB) are offered. Graduate students in Forest Biology must register in FORB 560 in addition to BIOL 560.