Area-specific typical MSc progression sequence

Please note that every thesis degree will be different; often times depending on the thesis research project. For example, some projects will have very extensive and time consuming data collection stages, whereas others may take extra time at the analysis stage. These guidelines are suggestions. Be sure to work out key goals and a timeline in consultation with your advisor and to update your goals and timeline in collaboration with your advisor every semester. 

 

MSc year 1

Semester 1 Fall

Courses:

- PSYC*6940 [0.50] Discrete-variable Research Design and Statistics

- PSYC*6740 [0.50] Research Seminar in NACS A

- PSYC*6880 [0.25] Ethical Issues in Psychology OR UNIV*6600 [0.00] Animal Care Short Course

- If completing the Neuroscience Collaborative Specialization: NEUR*6100 [0.00] Seminar in Neuroscience

 

Practicum:

-Discuss with NACS graduate coordinator during the first class of the NACS seminar. 

 

MSc thesis:

- Work with your supervisor to develop research questions to be addressed in your thesis proposal.

- Ethics for MSc research and data collection (if applicable; note the REB review process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks)

 

Independent research:

- Consider getting involved in a project that is independent from your MSc research either with your supervisor or another faculty member

 

Scholarships:

- Apply for OGS

- Apply for NSERC or other Tri council scholarship

- Other options may also available depending on your research topic search the web and discuss with your supervisor

 

Other:

- None

 

Semester 2 Winter

Courses:

1. PSYC*6740 [0.50] Research Seminar in NACS A (must re-register for Winter)

2. One elective from the following list (alternatively, complete this elective in any term):

- PSYC*6750 [0.50] Applications of Cognitive Science

- PSYC*6780 [0.50] Foundations of Cognitive Science

- PSYC*6790 [0.50] Memory and Cognition

- PSYC*6800 [0.50] Neurobiology of Learning

- PSYC*6810 [0.50] Neuropsychology

- For students NOT completing the Collaborative Neuroscience Specialization, PSYC*6000 [0.50] Principles of Neuroscience

- A graduate elective from outside this list with the permission of your advisor 

3. If completing the Collaborative Neuroscience Specialization: NEUR*6100 [0.00] Seminar in Neuroscience

 

Practicum:

1. PSYC*6471 [0.50] Practicum I

- The practicum can be completed in any term of the program

- Students typically register for PSYC*6741 (2-3 days per week working in practicum lab), however, the practicum requirement of the MSc can alternatively be met by taking PSCY*6742 (5 days per week), or PSYC*6743 (1 day per week). 

 

MSc thesis:
- Thesis proposal draft submitted to advisory committee as the end of term assignment for PSYC*6740
- Form MSc thesis committee, no later than the 20th class day of the 2nd semester.
- Initial MSc committee meeting
- Data collection and analysis (if applicable)
 

Independent research:

- If applicable continue involvement in project that is independent from your MSc research either with your supervisor or another faculty member

 

Scholarships:

- Nothing

 

Other:

- None

 

Semester 3 Summer

 

Courses:

- None, unless elective not yet completed

 

Practicum:

- None, unless practicum not yet completed

 

MSc thesis:

1. Establish an appropriate timeline for completing MSc proposal with advisor

2. Building off the draft proposal written as part of PSYC*6740, complete MSc proposal and submit to advisor for review (typically in first week of two of semester). Multiple rounds of revision may occur.

3. Once approved by advisor, submit proposal to remaining advisory committee at least 2 weeks before the “proposal meeting”

4. MSc proposal meeting; typically by July 1st

- The student must present their thesis proposal to the Advisory Committee and have it approved by that committee. At least one meeting between the Advisory Committee and the student must be held to discuss the thesis proposal and to work out changes necessary for an acceptable proposal. Approval of the thesis proposal entails consideration of the feasibility of the study in terms of time limitations, expenses, and availability of subjects, as well as its empirical, theoretical, and conceptual value

5. MSc proposal must be approved by committee before end of summer semester

6. Data collection and analysis (if applicable)

 

Independent research: 

- If applicable continue involvement in project that is independent from your MSc research either with your supervisor or another faculty member

 

Scholarships:

- Revise OGS, SSHRC and any other grant application

 

Other:

- Early stages of PhD application, if applicable

 

*Important departmental milestones to achieve during the degree (full-time registration only): MA/MSc must have their approved thesis proposal: 3rd semester. If the milestone is not met it will result in a “Some concerns” on the student’s progress report.

 

MSc Year 2

Semester 4 Fall

Courses:

- PSYC*6760 [0.50] Research Seminar in NACS B

- If completing the Collaborative Neuroscience Specialization: NEUR*6100 [0.00] Seminar in Neuroscience

- Elective if not yet completed

 

Practicum:

- Practicum if not yet completed

 

MSc thesis:

- Data collection and analysis

 

Independent research: 

- If applicable continue involvement in project that is independent from your MSc research either with your supervisor or another faculty member

 

Scholarships:

- Apply for OGS for the PhD (if applicable)

- Apply for NSERC or other Tri council scholarship for the PhD (if applicable)

- Other options for the PhD (if applicable) may also available depending on your research topic search the web and discuss with your supervisor

 

Other:

- Apply to PhD, if applicable

 

Semester 5 Winter

Courses:

- PSYC*6760 [0.50] Research Seminar in NACS B (must re-register for winter)

- If completing the Collaborative Neuroscience Specialization: NEUR*6100 [0.00] Seminar in Neuroscience

- Elective if not yet completed

 

Practicum:

- Practicum if not yet completed

 

MSc thesis:

1. Data collection and analysis (It is suggested to update the advisory committee regularly, an particularly once after data collection and analysis is complete)

2. Begin writing MSc thesis; deadlines to be worked out with advisor.

- During the preparation of the written thesis, the student should be receiving feedback from the Advisory Committee (what form that takes e.g., drafts, meetings, etc., will be up to each committee to determine). Have a carefully planned out timeline for this process, as it will likely take longer than you think, and you will run into timeline problems if you leave things to the end of the summer.

 

Independent research: 

- If applicable continue involvement in project that is independent from your MSc research either with your supervisor or another faculty member

 

Scholarships:

• None

 

Semester 6 Summer

Courses:

- Elective if not yet completed

 

Practicum:

- Practicum if not yet completed

 

MSc thesis:

1. Draft of thesis to advisor by early summer at the latest, with revisions to follow

2. Approval of thesis by advisor; recommended by June 15th

3. Approved thesis to advisory committee members for review; make revision based on their comments

4. Create examination committee and provide final copy of thesis to graduate secretary for distribution

5. Schedule and complete MSc thesis examination

- Please be aware that arranging a defense takes the coordination of many people, which can result in delays even if your manuscript if ready. Please do not book vacation/other plans until this date is set.

6. Revise thesis based on defense

- Students typically require a week following the examination to make changes to their thesis and ensure that it follows the prescribed format. Occasionally this stage can take longer than 1 week.  Please do not make plans (e.g., vacation) immediately following your defense.

7. Submit final version of thesis

- See university calendar for the exact date to submit a thesis for fall graduation and the dates for tuition refunds if you do not finalize until after the August deadline

 

Independent research: 

- If applicable continue involvement in project that is independent from your MSc research either with your supervisor or another faculty member

 

Scholarships:

- Prepare application for PhD scholarships for PhD year 2 if applicable

 

*Important departmental milestones to achieve during the degree (full-time registration only): MA/MSc must have their thesis defended: 6th semester. If the milestone is not met it will result in a “Some concerns” on the student’s progress report.

 

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

As a student cannot be in 2 programs at the same time, the expectation is that a continuing master’s with a doctoral offer for the semester following their last MSc semester will defend by the middle of their last MSc semester or earlier.

If you are unable to successfully finalize your master’s with the Office of Graduate Studies no later than a week before the start of your first PhD semester, this doctoral offer of admission may become be null and void.