Symposium poster boards

Milestones and Program Requirements

As a graduate student in the Cumming School of Medicine you are responsible for your progress through the program. There are a number of milestones and program requirements that you need to complete over the course of your graduate program that will lead to completion of your degree.  A timeline guide has been created to help ensure you are achieving success throughout your graduate student journey.  

Note: The Community Health Sciences (MDCH) program has some different policies and timelines compared with the other thesis-based programs.

Course-based program timelines and requirements are specific to each course-based program and are listed in those program pages.

All forms, unless specified, need to be sent electronically to your Graduate Program Administrator.  

 

Timeline Guide

Forms required at the start of your program

There are a few forms to complete within the first 30-days of your program.  These are helpful in setting expectations with your supervisor and ensuring you have access to the appropriate technology.

Milestone Information

Supervisory Committee Setup

A supervisory committee will help guide you through your research/studies.  This should be established within the first 3-months of your program and is done in collaboration with your supervisor.

Milestone Information

Supervisory Committee Meetings

Committee meetings provide an opportunity to keep all members up-to-date on progress made in research, determine if additional courses are required to support your research, provide an opportunity for feedback, and discussion about the direction of your research.

Milestone Information

Research Integrity (RI) Day

A workshop on Responsible Conduct in Research, also known as Research Integrity Day, is a requirement which must be met in order for you to successfully complete your degree.  This workshop/day needs to be completed within your first year of study.

Register for RI Day Sessions

Sex & Gender Training Module(s)

All graduate students in the Cumming School of Medicine are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca (which can also be found at: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/49347.html )within the first year of their program.

MSc Proposal Approval Process

Your Supervisory Committee must approve your formal thesis proposal no later than 12 months from the date you started your program. Your committee will need to sign the Thesis Proposal Approval Form. Both the form and final proposal must be submitted to your program administrator. 

PhD Draft Thesis Proposal

A draft of your proposal should be submitted to your committee by 12 months into the program (note that this is not the formal thesis proposal evaluation step of candidacy). The draft should be approved using the PhD Draft Research Proposal Form.

Research-in-Progress/Work-in-Progress Presentations

For all programs, except MDCH, at least one Research-In-Progress or Work-In-Progress must be completed every year, including your first year. Information about a student's presentation history will need to be included in the student's Annual Progress Report (APR) each May.

Journal Club Presentations

Journal Club participation and presentations may also be required by your program. Information about a student's presentation history will need to be included in the student's Annual Progress Report (APR) each May.

Annual Progress Report (FGS Requirement)

Annual Progress Reports are required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).  These are done in May of each year. Notifications of this report are sent by FGS starting May 1 with a due date of May 31 for all aspects to be complete.

FGS Annual Progress Report

Additional Certifications and Safety Requirements

Depending on what you are researching you may be required to obtain additional safety, hazard, ethics or animal care certifications.  Talk to your supervisor about what additional certifications you may require

MSc to PhD Transfer Process

MSc to PhD Transfer Process

Students may be permitted to transfer from the MSc to the PhD program if their academic record in graduate studies is outstanding have made excellent progress in their research, and have demonstrated the potential to complete a PhD project.  Requests must be supported by the supervisory committee.

MSc to PhD Transfer Process

Admission to Candidacy (PhD Only)

Admission to Candidacy (PhD Only)

Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree requires the completion of a number of program milestones in addition to a formal Thesis Proposal Evaluation and Field of Study Examination.  

Candidacy Process

Thesis Defense Process & Information

Thesis Defense Process & Information

The oral defense of your thesis is an FGS requirement.   This is one of the final milestone steps in your learning journey.  Please take the time to review the rules and requirements to be able to complete this milestone

Preparing for your Thesis Defense