Area-specific Milestones NACS PHD

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 meant as suggestions for students continuing from the MSc program at the University of Guelph. 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. 

Semester 1 (7) Fall 

 

Courses: 

 

1. PSYC*6760 [0.50] Research Seminar in NACS B (must reregister every fall and winter)

 

2. One elective from the following list (a total of three must be completed during the program): - PSYC*6472 [1.00] Practicum II (credited as two electives)
- 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
- PSYC*6900 [0.50] Philosophy and History of Psychology as a Science
- 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: 
- Discuss with advisor 
PhD thesis: 
- Draft ideas for proposals 
Qualifying exam (see QE examination section for more details): 
- None 
Advisor-independent research: 
- Seek out research opportunities with other faculty members than primary advisor(s) (if applicable, recommended for research stream, discuss with your primary advisor(s)) 

 

Scholarships: 
1. Apply for OGS
2. Apply for NSERC or other Tri council scholarship
3. Other options may also available depending on your research topic search the web and discuss with your supervisor 

Courses: 
1. PSYC*6760 [0.50] Research Seminar in NACS B (must re-register for Winter)
2. One of the three required electives
3. If completing the Collaborative Neuroscience Specialization: NEUR*6100 [0.00] Seminar in Neuroscience 

 

PhD thesis: 
1. Form PhD thesis committee no later than the 20th class day of the 2nd semester. 
2. Submit Program of Study to Graduate Program Coordinator for approval no later than the 20th class day of the 2nd semester. 
3. Initial PhD committee meeting no later than the end of 2nd semester. After the committee is formed, it is recommended that the student, their Advisor, and the two committee members meet to discuss the expectations for that particular committee (e.g., does  committee plan to have regular meetings, when does the student expect to have a proposal meeting, etc.)
4. PhD thesis proposal draft submitted to advisor (see PhD Thesis proposal section for more information) 
 

Qualifying exam (see QE examination section for more details): 
- None 

 

Advisor-independent research 
- Seek out research opportunities with other faculty members than primary advisor(s) (if applicable, recommended for research  stream, discuss with your primary advisor(s)) 

Scholarships: 
- None 

Courses: 
- None 

PhD thesis:
- Approval of PhD thesis proposal by advisor; deadline to be worked out with advisor (see PhD Thesis proposal section for more information)
- Send proposal to committee members at least two weeks before committee meeting
- Meeting with advisory committee to discuss proposal; this meeting should occur at least four weeks before the end of the student’s semester 3 (5 for students without a Master’s), to allow time for revisions
- Committee approval of proposal. The proposal must be approved by the end of semester 3 (5 for students without a Master’s)  Qualifying exam (see QE examination section for more details) 
- None 

 

Advisor-independent research 
- Seek out research opportunities with other faculty members than primary advisor(s) (if applicable, recommended for research stream, discuss with your primary advisor(s)) 

 

Scholarships 
- Revise OGS, SSHRC and any other grant application 

 

*Important departmental milestones to achieve during the degree (full-time registration only): PhD 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. 

Courses: 
- Same as previous Fall/Winter 

 

Semester 5 (11) Winter 
Qualifying exam (see QE examination section for more details): 

 

*Important departmental milestones to achieve during the degree (full-time registration only): PhD must have defended their dissertation: 15th semester. If the milestone is not met it will result in a “Some concerns” on the student’s progress report.