Program Requirements

Doctoral Programs

The residency requirement for the PhD programs is two academic years (where an academic year is defined as the eight month period from September through April).

Where a graduate student's research projects are conducted off-campus, or where, for other reasons, the graduate student does not have a full-time presence on campus for these opportunities, the supervisor, Supervisory Committee and the Graduate Studies Committee must resolve how the residency objectives will be met during the student's graduate program. Additionally, the PhD proposal package submitted to the Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee must explicitly state how these objectives will be met during the student's PhD program.

Note: students who are admitted to any thesis-based degree program and who initially register as full-time students in these programs must register full-time for the remainder of their program.

Academic Standing and Grades

  • The normal passing grade for graduate courses according to FGSR is C+ (2.3). Graduate students in the Department of Pediatrics must maintain a minimum cumulative program grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout their program.
  • If the cumulative grade point average falls between 2.3 and 3.0, the department may recommend termination of the program or continuation in the program for a specified probationary period.

  • Notwithstanding the above, a graduate student whose academic standing falls below a grade point average of 3.0 may be required to withdraw at any time.

Residency Requirements

The objectives of the residency requirement is to allow graduate student interactions in an academic setting by:

  • facilitating frequent and close interactions with their supervisor and Supervisory Committee, fellow students and colleagues, and any research collaborators
  • providing opportunities for graduate students to present and defend their ideas in appropriate forums
  • developing a 'culture' of contribution, analysis, and interpretation
  • easing progressive development of their research program
  • allowing for easy access to lectures, presentations and seminars that increase the student's understanding in general and specific areas
  • broadening their interactions within the university community

Master's Programs

The master's program has a requirement of one academic year residency. Students must be registered full-time for a minimum of one academic year (where an academic year is defined as the eight month period from September through April).