Fall 2023 - MBB 806 G100

PhD Graduate Research Candidacy Examination (3)

Class Number: 5137

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Location: TBA

  • Prerequisites:

    Permission of the student's supervisory committee.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Oral presentation and defense of a written PhD research proposal. Students will be examined on their knowledge relevant to the proposed research, capacity to complete the proposed thesis research (including any relevant preliminary results), and understanding of the broader field of study. All students enrolled in the MBB PhD graduate program must take MBB 806. Students in the MSc program wishing to transfer to the PhD program must successfully complete MBB 806.

COURSE DETAILS:

Each student will prepare a written proposal of thesis research using the format of a grant application, demonstrating that the research will be original, feasible, and significant. Throughout the writing process, the instructor(s) will provide guidance on the organization and content of the proposal. The proposal should include a statement of goals for the PhD research program, the significance of the proposed study, a review of the most significant literature related to the topic, a summary of research progress, and a description of the proposed research, including methods to be used. The student will present a seminar on the proposed thesis research project, and will be examined by the course instructor(s) and members of the supervisory committee. Questions will be on topics related to the research project, and on the larger context relevant to the research field. Other students enrolled in the course can attend the seminar/examination and may participate in the questioning.

See http://www.sfu.ca/mbb/graduate/current/course/CourseDescription.html for a supplementary course outline and MBB 806 application form.

Prerequisites and timing of MBB 806
Enrolment in MBB 806 requires permission of the student's supervisory committee based on suitable research performance; after this permission is granted, MBB 806 must be completed within the following two semesters.

Grading

  • This course represents a PhD candidacy examination. It will be graded by course instructor(s) (MBB faculty members) with consultation from the student's supervisory committee. Evaluation will be based on the student's capacity to effectively communicate the subject matter of the proposed thesis research, knowledge relevant to the proposed research and broader field of study, significance of the proposed research, and feasibility of completing the proposed research. 100%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.