Program Overview

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Accelerated PhD Program

The Accelerated PhD program is designed for exceptional students registered full-time in the MSc program, allowing for a conversion into the PhD program before completion of the MSc degree.

Acceptance into the Accelerated PhD Program

For Graduate Students registered in the MSc program, conversion into the PhD program is possible before completion of the MSc degree. An MSc student can request the acceleration up to 3 equivalent full-time terms after initial registration. The Advisory Committee will consider whether the request for acceleration to PhD is appropriate and desirable.

• Funding must be available to support a PhD thesis project.
• The student must show the potential for independent research necessary to complete a PhD.

Criteria that may be used to assess that potential for accelerated PhD are listed below:

1. The Supervisor & Committee must approve the request.
2. A paper in submission (written in English) to a refereed journal in which the Graduate Student has fulfilled a role as first or second author.
3. An overall average for graduate courses of at least 80%.

Requirements of the Accelerated PhD Program

Requirements for the accelerated PhD are the same as the normal PhD program with the exception of additional course requirements. MSc course credits may or may not be counted towards the PhD at the discretion of the Graduate and Research Committee after hearing advice from the student's committee.

Thesis Proposal

By the end of their fourth term of enrollment (sixth term for part-time students) in the Vision Science program, students must make a formal presentation of their proposed thesis research to their advisory committee.

Course and Seminar Milestone Requirements

Course and seminar requirements are tailored to meet the needs and backgrounds of individual students. A minimum of four one-term (0.5 unit weight) graduate courses (or equivalent) is required. Two of these must be in Vision Science. Normally, a maximum of two courses may be independent study courses. Students may use courses taken during the time they were registered for the MSc towards the PhD.

• All Vision Science graduate students in the PhD program must present at least two talks on their current research during their degree program.
• Attend a minimum of 10 research seminars and a one-day research symposium throughout each year of enrollment.

Comprehensive Examination

PhD students are required to take a comprehensive examination to demonstrate a broad knowledge in the field of Vision Science. This exam must be completed by the 16th month of study.

Time Limits

The minimum number of terms during which a student must register full-time is 4 (from an MSc degree). The maximum time for a full-time PhD is 12 terms (4 years). Students who require additional time must complete a Petition of Extension form and supply a timeline for completion.